The Valley of Knockanure
Background: On 12 May 1921, a troop of Black and Tans were travelling out from Listowel towards Athea
when they arrested four young unarmed men in Gortaglanna.
Prior to this the barracks in Listowel had been burnt out and the troops, heavy with drink
and bent on revenge decided to execute the young men. The first to be shot was Jerry Lyons.
When this happened, Cornelius Dee decided, as he was going to be shot anyway, to make a run for it.
He did, and almost immediately took a bullet in the thigh but managed to keep going.
He ran for about three miles and survived.
He was never recaptured but remained in hiding until the Truce.
The other two men were shot on the spot.
[Verse 1]
Am G F Dm G Em Am
You may sing and speak about Easter Week and the heroes of Ninety Eight.
Am C Em Dm Esus
Of Fenian Men who roamed the glen in victory or de feat.
Am C Em Dm Esus
Their names on history's pages told, their memories will endure,
Am G F Dm Em Dm G Am
Not a song was sung of our darling sons, in the Valley of Knockanure.
[Verse 2]
Am G F Dm G Em Am
There was Lyons and Walsh and the Dalton boy, They were young and in their prime.
Am C Em Dm Esus
They rambled to a lonely spot where the Black and Tans did hide.
Am C Em Dm Esus
The Republic bold they did uphold, Tho' outlawed on the moor
Am G F Dm Em Dm G Am
And side by side they fought and died In the Valley of Knockanure.
[Verse 3]
Am G F Dm G Em Am
It was on a neighbouring hillside We listened in hushed dismay.
Am C Em Dm Esus
In every house, in every town, a young girl knelt to pray.
Am C Em Dm Esus
They're closing in around them now, with rifle fire so sure,
Am G F Dm Em Dm G Am
And Lyons is dead and young Dalton's down in the Valley of Knockanure.
[Verse 4]
Am G F Dm G Em Am
But ere the guns could seal his fate, young Walsh had spoken thro'
Am C Em Dm Esus
With a prayer to God he spurned the sod, As against the hill he flew
Am C Em Dm Esus
The bullets tore his flesh in two, Yet he cried with voice so sure,
Am G F Dm Em Dm G Am
"Revenge I'll get for my comrade's death, in the Valley of Knockanure.
[Verse 5]
Am G F Dm G Em Am
The summer sun is sinking low behind the field and lea.
Am C Em Dm Esus
The pale moonlight is shining bright far off beyond Tralee.
Am C Em Dm Esus
The dismal stars and the clouds afar are darkening o'er the moor,
Am G F Dm Em Dm G Am
And the banshee cried when young Dalton died, In the Valley of Knockanure.
Background: On 12 May 1921, a troop of Black and Tans were travelling out from Listowel towards Athea
when they arrested four young unarmed men in Gortaglanna.
Prior to this the barracks in Listowel had been burnt out and the troops, heavy with drink
and bent on revenge decided to execute the young men. The first to be shot was Jerry Lyons.
When this happened, Cornelius Dee decided, as he was going to be shot anyway, to make a run for it.
He did, and almost immediately took a bullet in the thigh but managed to keep going.
He ran for about three miles and survived.
He was never recaptured but remained in hiding until the Truce.
The other two men were shot on the spot.
[Verse 1]
Am G F Dm G Em Am
You may sing and speak about Easter Week and the heroes of Ninety Eight.
Am C Em Dm Esus
Of Fenian Men who roamed the glen in victory or de feat.
Am C Em Dm Esus
Their names on history's pages told, their memories will endure,
Am G F Dm Em Dm G Am
Not a song was sung of our darling sons, in the Valley of Knockanure.
[Verse 2]
Am G F Dm G Em Am
There was Lyons and Walsh and the Dalton boy, They were young and in their prime.
Am C Em Dm Esus
They rambled to a lonely spot where the Black and Tans did hide.
Am C Em Dm Esus
The Republic bold they did uphold, Tho' outlawed on the moor
Am G F Dm Em Dm G Am
And side by side they fought and died In the Valley of Knockanure.
[Verse 3]
Am G F Dm G Em Am
It was on a neighbouring hillside We listened in hushed dismay.
Am C Em Dm Esus
In every house, in every town, a young girl knelt to pray.
Am C Em Dm Esus
They're closing in around them now, with rifle fire so sure,
Am G F Dm Em Dm G Am
And Lyons is dead and young Dalton's down in the Valley of Knockanure.
[Verse 4]
Am G F Dm G Em Am
But ere the guns could seal his fate, young Walsh had spoken thro'
Am C Em Dm Esus
With a prayer to God he spurned the sod, As against the hill he flew
Am C Em Dm Esus
The bullets tore his flesh in two, Yet he cried with voice so sure,
Am G F Dm Em Dm G Am
"Revenge I'll get for my comrade's death, in the Valley of Knockanure.
[Verse 5]
Am G F Dm G Em Am
The summer sun is sinking low behind the field and lea.
Am C Em Dm Esus
The pale moonlight is shining bright far off beyond Tralee.
Am C Em Dm Esus
The dismal stars and the clouds afar are darkening o'er the moor,
Am G F Dm Em Dm G Am
And the banshee cried when young Dalton died, In the Valley of Knockanure.
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