Clár Cinn le hÁine Cooke

Athchreataithe:
07-May-2001

Na Connerys

This is a traditional song about the three Connery brothers from near Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, who were transported to New South Wales in Australia circa 1836 (although three brothers are mentioned in the song, only two brothers are named in transportation records of the time). They were accused of attempting to murder a clerk of a landlord who was evicting his tenants who could not pay the increased rent. The Irish lyrics I got from the singing of my friend, Jim Flanagan, a native of the Ballyvourney Gaeltacht in County Cork, and the English translation is from the singing of the Dublin balladeer, Al O'Donnell.

A Choimhín mhallaithe guímse deacair ort agus gráin Mhic Dé
Is ar an ngasra úd athá ceangailte go dlúth le d’thaobh
Is iad a dhearbhaigh na leabhartha go humhal sa mbréag
Is a chuir na Connerys thar na farraigí go dtí sna New South Wales

Té a bheadh ina sheasamh ann is dhéanfadh machnamh ar ár gcúis dá plé
Mar a sheasaigh sí ón seacht ar maidín go dtí tar éis a naoi
Do chroith an talamh fúinn le linn na leabhartha ann dá dtabhairt sa mbréag
Mo ghreidhin an t-anam bocht nó tá sí damanta má’s fíor don chléir

A Bhanríon bheannaithe is a Rí na bhFlaitheas Geal, den trócaire orainn araon
Is ar an mbanaltra atá sa bhaile go dúch inár ndéidh
Le linn an Aifrinn bígí ag agallamh is ag guí chun Dé
Leis na Connerys a thabhairt abhaile chughainn ó sna New South Wales

The Connerys

Oh Kevin I’m cursing you and praying hurt on you and hate from on high
And on the band that’s near you never leaving you close by your side
You commited perjury to damn us brothers three and you told false tales
And sent the Connerys across the raging seas to New South Wales

He who was standing doing his thinking clear on our case being tried
From early seven morn until the day was done truth was defied
The ground shook under us as lies came thunderous to decide our fate
I fear the perjured soul is in the darkest hole so the holy clergy say

Oh Queen of Heaven bright and King of all Worlds might beg release for us all
And for our sister young alone now in her home with her child so small
When mass you’re reading be you pleading that our courage won’t fail
The Connerys to come safe in honor home from New South Wales


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