“God Save Ireland”
Description
"High upon the gallows tree swung the noble-hearted three, By the vengeful tyrants stricken in their bloom." The three declare, "God Save Ireland" as they prepare to die, and say that their deaths don't matter. Listeners are encouraged to remember
Notes
Edward Condon was one of five men tried in 1867 for the death of Charles Brett. (For this incident and the story of the "Manchester Martyrs," see the notes to The Smashing of the Van.") One of those on trial was not connected to the crime. Three others were sentenced to death. Condon was allowed to live.
At the end of his trial, Condon cried out "God save Ireland." It became a Fenian slogan.
Sullivan is the author of a number of Irish patriotic poems, of which this is probably the best-known. - RBW
Historical references
- 1867 - Imprisonment of the Fenian leaders Kelly and Deasy, and the bungled rescue
Cross references
- cf. "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" (tune) and reference there
- cf. "The Smashing of the Van (I)" (subject: The Manchester Martyrs)
- cf. "Allen, Larkin and O'Brien" (subject: The Manchester Martyrs)
- cf. "The Manchester Martyrs" (subject: The Manchester Martyrs)
References
- PGalvin, pp. 83-84, "God Save Ireland" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Zimmermann 74, "God Save Ireland" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Healy-OISBv2, pp. 137-138, "God Save Ireland" (1 text)
- DT, GSAVILD*
- ADDITIONAL: Kathleen Hoagland, editor, One Thousand Years of Irish Poetry (New York, 1947), pp. 522-523, "God Save Ireland" (1 text)
- H. Halliday Sparling, Irish Minstrelsy (London, 1888), pp. 9-10, 508, "God Save Ireland"
- BI, PGa083