Padraic Colum (1881–1972). Anthology of Irish Verse. 1922.
By Francis Carlin20. Ballad of Douglas Bridge
O
Who lived adjacent to Strabane,
Before the English hung him high
For riding with O’Hanlon.
As when they burned within the flesh;
And his boot-legs were wide apart
From riding with O’Hanlon.
“You seem to be a stranger here.”
“Not I,” said he, “nor any man
Who rides with Count O’Hanlon.
To Monaghan, and I’ve been known
By every clan and parish, since
I rode with Count O’Hanlon.”
“My fathers owned the land you see;
But they are now among the moors
A-riding with O’Hanlon.”
“My fathers rode where now they ride
As Rapparees, before the time
Of trouble and O’Hanlon.”
The tellers of the tale and myth,
For they are of the spirit-stuff
That rides with Count O’Hanlon.”
Be with the chargers, fairy-shod,
That bear the Ulster heroes forth
To ride with Count O’Hanlon.”
The Gap o’ Dreams is never shut,
To one whose saddled soul to-night
Rides out with Count O’Hanlon.