“The Mountain Men”

Description

The singer is one of Dwyer's mountain men. The Yeos can't trap us, he says. "The people all bless us, for many a cabin's left safe and secure" We are few but we control the mountains and, while we have strength, "we'll keep the old cause living still"

Notes

Moylan: "Michael Dwyer was a Wicklow man, a member of the United Irishmen, who fought during the 1798 rebellion, and who waged a guerilla war in the Wicklow mountains for several years afterwards." - BS

"Yeos" = yeomen, the British militia. Contrary to this song, they did catch up with Dwyer -- or, at least, put him under so much pressure that he gave in and allowed himself to be transported. For more details, see "Michael Dwyer (I)" or Michael Dwyer (II)." - RBW

Historical references

  • 1798 - Irish rebellion against British rule

Cross references

References

  1. Moylan 146, "The Mountain Men" (1 text)
  2. BI, Moyl146

About

Author: William Rooney (source: Moylan)
Earliest date: 1887 (Madden's _Literary Remains of the United Irishmen of 1798_, according to Moylan)