This song was written by Peadar Kearney, who also
wrote the national anthem of Ireland. Brendan Behan, the Irish
playwright, poet and singer was Kearney's nephew. The song was used in the
film West of the Rio Grande (1944). Fenians were an Irish revolutionary
organization, formed in New York in on March 17, 1858. Many Irish-American
soldiers who fought on both sides in the American Civil War went home to Ireland
to fight for Irish independence in 1916.
(Reference: album: Brendan Behan Sings Irish Folk Songs & Ballads)
'Twas down by the glenside, I met an old woman
She was picking young nettles and she scarce saw me coming
I listened a while to the song she was humming
Glory O, Glory O, to the bold Fenian men
'Tis fifty long years since I saw the moon beaming
On strong manly forms and their eyes with hope gleaming
I see them again, sure, in all my daydreaming
Glory O, Glory O, to the bold Fenian men.
Some died on the glenside, some died near a stranger
And wise men have told us that their cause was a failure
They fought for old Ireland and they never feared danger
Glory O, Glory O, to the bold Fenian men
I passed on my way, God be praised that I met her
Be life long or short, sure I'll never forget her
We may have brave men, but we'll never have better
Glory O, Glory O, to the bold Fenian men