20. Ballad of Douglas Bridge

ON Douglas Bridge I met a man

Who lived adjacent to Strabane,

Before the English hung him high

For riding with O’Hanlon.

The eyes of him were just as fresh

As when they burned within the flesh;

And his boot-legs were wide apart

From riding with O’Hanlon.

“God save you, Sir,” I said with fear,

“You seem to be a stranger here.”

“Not I,” said he, “nor any man

Who rides with Count O’Hanlon.

“I know each glen from North Tyrone

To Monaghan, and I’ve been known

By every clan and parish, since

I rode with Count O’Hanlon.”

“Before that time,” said he to me,

“My fathers owned the land you see;

But they are now among the moors

A-riding with O’Hanlon.”

“Before that time,” said he with pride,

“My fathers rode where now they ride

As Rapparees, before the time

Of trouble and O’Hanlon.”

“Good night to you, and God be with

The tellers of the tale and myth,

For they are of the spirit-stuff

That rides with Count O’Hanlon.”

“Good night to you,” said I, “and God

Be with the chargers, fairy-shod,

That bear the Ulster heroes forth

To ride with Count O’Hanlon.”

On Douglas Bridge we parted, but

The Gap o’ Dreams is never shut,

To one whose saddled soul to-night

Rides out with Count O’Hanlon.