Corner Boy - Kelly The Boy From Killanne [Live] (Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025, Wexford)

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Corner Boy perform 'Kelly The Boy From Killanne' live from The Bull Ring in Wexford Town during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025, Loch Garman
08/08/2025

The song "Kelly the Boy from Killanne" was written by Patrick Joseph McCall. He wrote the song to commemorate the centenary of the 1798 rebellion, specifically John Kelly's role in it. While the song wasn't published in book form until 1911, it was likely written around the time of the centenary

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Lyrics
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What's the news, what's the news oh my bold Shelmalier
With your long-barrelled guns from the sea
Say what wind from the south brings a messenger here
With the hymn of the dawn for the free
Goodly news, goodly news do I bring youth of Forth
Goodly news shall you hear Bargy man
For the boys march at dawn from the south to the north
Led by Kelly the boy from Killane

Tell me who is that giant with the gold curling hair
He who rides at the head of your band
Seven feet is his height with some inches to spare
And he looks like a king in command
Ah my boys that's the pride of the bold Shelmaliers
'Mongst greatest of heroes a man
Fling your beavers aloft and give three ringing cheers
For John Kelly the boy from Killane

Enniscorthy's in flames and old Wexford is won
And tomorrow the Barrow we will cross
On a hill o'er the town we have planted a gun
That will batter the gateway to Ross
All the Forth men and Bargy men will march o'er the heath
With brave Harvey to lead in the van
But the foremost of all in that grim gap of death
Will be Kelly the boy from Killane

But the gold sun of freedom grew darkened at Ross
And it set by the Slaney's red waves
And poor Wexford stripped naked, hung high on a cross
With her heart pierced by traitors and slaves
Glory-o, glory-o to her brave sons who died
For the cause of long down-trodden man
Glory-o to Mount Leinster's own darling and pride
Dauntless Kelly the boy from Killane