The air is reputed to have first been performed by the pipers of Feagh MacHugh in 1580.
The words were written by Patrick Joseph McCall (1861–1919). It was traditionally arranged by Planxty.
It is notable as one of the most graphically violent of all Irish folk songs. It contains lines such as
"From Tassagart to Clonmore, there flows a stream of Saxon gore... "
and
"...now for Black FitzWilliam's head, we'll send it over dripping red, to Queen Liza and her ladies"
It has been performed by numerous Irish folk bands. Most notably Planxty recorded it on their debut album. This is often recognised as the definitive recording.
The song has also been performed by the Young Dubliners, a Celtic rock band, who have adapted it into a very upbeat modern version. It can be found on their albums; Breathe, Alive Alive O (live album) and With All Due Respect - The Irish Sessions. It is a rousing crowd pleaser that they often use to close their shows.
Follow Me Up To Carlow
Planxty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still brooding over the old disgrace?
That Black Fitzwilliam stormed your place
Drove you to the Fern
Gray said victory was sure
And soon the Firebrand he'd secure
Until he met at Glenmalure
Curse and swear, Lord Kildare
Fiach will do, what Fiach 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
Fiach MacHugh has given the word
Follow me up to Carlow
See the swords of Glen Imayle
They're flashing over the English pale
See all the children of the Gael
Beneath O'Byrne's banners
Roosters of the 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
Fiach will do, what Fiach 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
Fiach MacHugh has given the word
Follow me up to Carlow
From Tassagart to Clonmore
There flows a stream of Saxon gore
O great is Rory Og Omore
At sending the loons to Hades
White is sick, Grey is fled
And now for Black Fitzwilliams head
We'll send it over dripping red
To Queen Liza and her ladies
Curse and swear, Lord Kildare
Fiach will do, what Fiach 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
Fiach MacHugh has given the word
Follow me up to Carlow
The song "Follow Me Up to Carlow" by Planxty is a rallying call to the Irish people to unite and fight for their land against the oppressive English forces. In the first verse, the song references McCahir Og who is still brooding over an old disgrace where the Englishman, Black Fitzwilliam, stormed their land and drove them away. Gray is referencing another Englishman who thought victory was a sure thing until he met with Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne at Glenmalure. Fiach was a notorious rebel leader who refused to submit to English rule and his presence caused an upset in the plans that Gray had for domination. The chorus is a call to arms for Lord Kildare and other Irish people to join Fiach in his quest to beat the Englishman.
The second verse references the Swords of Glen Imayle which were symbolic of the fighting spirit of the Irish people. The children of the Gael are rallying under O'Byrne's banner as they prepare to fight. The song uses the symbolism of roosters to describe the Irish fighting spirit and how they will not allow the English to crow over their land. The rest of the song is a testament to the heroism of Rory Og Omore and his ability to defeat the English.
Overall, "Follow Me Up to Carlow" is a call to the Irish people to rise up and fight for their land against a powerful enemy. It is a rallying cry that seeks to unite the people under one banner and highlights the strength and resilience of the Irish fighting spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Lift, McCahir Og, your face
McCahir Og, do not dwell on the past and lift your spirits
Still brooding over the old disgrace?
Are you still upset about the past wrongs?
That Black Fitzwilliam stormed your place
Black Fitzwilliam invaded your home
Drove you to the Fern
Forcing you to hide in the woods
Gray said victory was sure
Gray believed victory was guaranteed
And soon the Firebrand he'd secure
And he would secure the Firebrand soon
Until he met at Glenmalure
Until he encountered Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne at Glenmalure
With Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne
Who was the opponent of Gray
Curse and swear, Lord Kildare
Lord Kildare lets out his frustration
Fiach will do, what Fiach will dare
Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne will do what he dares to do
Now Fitzwilliam have a care
Fitzwilliam should be worried now
Fallen is your star low
Fitzwilliam's fortune has diminished
Up with halberd, out with sword
Prepare to fight with halberd and sword
On we'll go for by the lord
We will fight together
Fiach MacHugh has given the word
Fiach MacHugh has commanded us to follow him
Follow me up to Carlow
Let us march to Carlow together
See the swords of Glen Imayle
Glen Imayle's swords are shining
They're flashing over the English pale
They are attacking the English settlements
See all the children of the Gael
Gaelic people are joining the fight
Beneath O'Byrne's banners
Under the banners of O'Byrne
Roosters of the fighting stock
The brave warriors
Would you let a Saxon cock
Will you let a foe triumph over you?
Crow out upon, an Irish rock?
Taunt the Irish?
Fly up and teach him manners
Fight back and show him what you are made of
From Tassagart to Clonmore
From Tassagart to Clonmore
There flows a stream of Saxon gore
The Saxons are dying
O great is Rory Og Omore
Rory Og Omore is a great warrior
At sending the loons to Hades
Sending the enemies to hell
White is sick, Grey is fled
White is sick, Gray has fled
And now for Black Fitzwilliams head
And now we seek Black Fitzwilliam's head
We'll send it over dripping red
Return it to England stained with blood
To Queen Liza and her ladies
To Queen Elizabeth and her court
Contributed by Connor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.