The Ballad of Douglas Bridge, Francis Carlin.

The Ballad of Douglas Bridge.
by Francis Carlin.

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.
His bootlegs widely walked apart,
From riding with O’Hanlon.

“God save you, sir!” said I, 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
To every clan and parish since
I rode with Count O’Hanlon.

“Before that time,” he said to me,
“My father’s owned the land you see;
But they are now among the moors,
Ariding 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 fairy stuff
That rides with Count O’Hanlon.”

“Good night to you,” said I, “and God
Be with the chargers, fairy-shod
Which 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
Rides forth with Count O’Hanlon.