Follow Me
J.T. Taylor Lyrics


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Lift MacCahir Og your face, brooding o'er the old disgrace
That black FitzWilliam stormed your place, drove you to the fern
Grey said victory was sure, soon the firebrand he'd secure
Until he met at Glenmalure with Feach MacHugh O'Byrne
Curse and swear, Lord Kildare, Feach will do what Feach will dare
Now FitzWilliam, have a care, fallen is your star low
Up with Halberd, out with sword, on we'll go, for by the Lord
Feach MacHugh has given the word, follow me up to Carlow
See the swords of Glen Imayle, flashing o'er the English Pale
See all the children of the Gael, beneath O'Byrne's banners
Rooster of a fighting stock, would you let a Saxon cock
Crow out upon an Irish rock, fly up and teach him manners
Curse and swear, Lord Kildare, Feach will do what Feach will dare
Now FitzWilliam, have a care, fallen is your star low
Up with Halberd, out with sword, on we'll go, for by the Lord
Feach MacHugh has given the word, follow me up to Carlow
Curse and swear, Lord Kildare, Feach will do what Feach will dare
Now FitzWilliam, have a care, fallen is your star low
Up with Halberd, out with sword, on we'll go, for by the Lord
Feach MacHugh has given the word, follow me up to Carlow
From Tassagart to Clonmore, there flows a stream of Saxon gore
Och, great is Rory Og O'More, sending the loons to Hades
White is sick and Lane is fled, now for black FitzWilliam's head
We'll send it over, dripping red, to Queen Lisa and the ladies
Curse and swear, Lord Kildare, Feach will do what Feach will dare
Now FitzWilliam, have a care, fallen is your star low




Up with Halberd, out with sword, on we'll go, for by the Lord
Feach MacHugh has given the word, follow me up to Carlow

Overall Meaning

The song "Follow Me Up to Carlow" by J.T. Taylor is actually a cover of a traditional Irish folk song that tells the story of a rebellion against the English in the late 16th century. The lyrics are filled with historical references and vivid imagery, painting a picture of Irish resistance against English occupation.


The song refers to the Battle of Glenmalure, which took place in 1580 when Feach MacHugh O'Byrne led an Irish rebellion against the English. The first verse talks about how O'Byrne's clan was displaced from their lands by Lord FitzWilliam, an English noble. The second verse describes the march towards Carlow, and the third and fourth verses depict the battle itself, with the Irish fighting fiercely against the English in a bloody conflict.


Overall, the lyrics of "Follow Me Up to Carlow" are a call to arms, urging the Irish to rise up against their oppressors and fight for their freedom. The song has become a popular anthem for Irish nationalists and continues to be sung at political rallies and events today.


Line by Line Meaning

Lift MacCahir Og your face, brooding o'er the old disgrace
MacCahir Og, rise and face your past with a heavy heart


That black FitzWilliam stormed your place, drove you to the fern
FitzWilliam invaded your home and forced you to flee to the wilderness


Grey said victory was sure, soon the firebrand he'd secure
Grey thought he would easily win, but he didn't anticipate Feach MacHugh O'Byrne's fiery spirit


Until he met at Glenmalure with Feach MacHugh O'Byrne
Grey faced off against Feach MacHugh O'Byrne in the Battle of Glenmalure


Curse and swear, Lord Kildare, Feach will do what Feach will dare
Lord Kildare, express your frustration, Feach will do whatever he wants


Now FitzWilliam, have a care, fallen is your star low
FitzWilliam, be cautious, your power has been weakened


Up with Halberd, out with sword, on we'll go, for by the Lord
Take up weapons, we will fight and swear by God


Feach MacHugh has given the word, follow me up to Carlow
Feach MacHugh O'Byrne has given the command, let's go to Carlow and fight


See the swords of Glen Imayle, flashing o'er the English Pale
Witness the swords of Glen Imayle shining brightly over English-controlled land


See all the children of the Gael, beneath O'Byrne's banners
See the proud Irish people marching under Feach MacHugh O'Byrne's leadership


Rooster of a fighting stock, would you let a Saxon cock
Are you really going to let a foreigner insult you?


Crow out upon an Irish rock, fly up and teach him manners
Show him how powerful and strong you are as you stand up for your land


From Tassagart to Clonmore, there flows a stream of Saxon gore
The English have shed blood across the land, from Tassagart to Clonmore


Och, great is Rory Og O'More, sending the loons to Hades
Oh, how mighty Rory Og O'More is, as he sends his enemies to their death


White is sick and Lane is fled, now for black FitzWilliam's head
White is ill and Lane has fled, now it's time to seek vengeance on FitzWilliam


We'll send it over, dripping red, to Queen Lisa and the ladies
We will send it over, coated in blood, as a message to Queen Lisa and her followers




Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Traditional Music

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ghazalkhazana3262

What a beat , loved it

@1980Triumph

A lot of people don't know but there is a music video for this song. It has JT riding up and down and elevator with women dancing in and out of the video. I got it from a friend who got it from JT....AWESOME!!

@sharonandrews9572

Hi Triumph, I Just Read That, Show It!..Any Thing Of James JT Taylor..OUCH!..

@arthurdeth7646

Upload and link if you can.

@1980Triumph

@arthur Deth - honestly I am completely dismayed because I am unsure of where the tape is. Years ago I started converting my tapes to DVD and I didn't get to this one before the move. I have not come across that tape in years but I do plan on converting soon, so fingers crossed that I can find it and copy it.

@jamesclough9665

Pure quality. Still got the vinyl 🔥

@arthurdeth7646

Me 2 and the CD

@karenbeckett3126

We need more love songs played on the air. I'm sorry I can't get enough of listening to James JT Taylor music every song. 

@jamesturner4565

Hi Karen., I would agree that we do need more of these kind of songs on the air.   James

@holyangel8047

Nice beautiful song
He has a beautiful voice singing his heart out to you.
Please him a lot of support and all the love he needs.
God Bless!!!

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