The Valley Of Knockanure lyrics and chords
The Valley Of Knockanure Lyrics, guitar chords and sheet music. Written by Brian McMahon. An Irish folk / rebel song. I first heard this from 'The Wolfe Tones in the 70's, Brian tells of a very brave group of lads who saved their village from almost certain ruin and bloodshed at the hands of 'The Black And Tans', those lads were Jeremiah Lyons, Patrick Dalton and Patrick Walsh. Also recorded by Peggy Sweeney. The sheet music and tin whistle notes are included plus the easy piano keyboard / accordion letter notes. Recently recorded by Piaras Ó Lorcáin
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You[Em] may sing and[D] speak about[C] Easter[Am] Week and the[Bm] heroes of[C] Ninety[Em] Eight.
Of[Em] Fenian[G] Men who roamed the[Bm glen in [Am]victory[C] or de[D][B7?]feat. Their[Em] names on[G] history's pages[Bm] told, their [aM]memories[C] will en[B7]dure, Not a[Em] song was[D] sung of our[C] darling sons, in the[Bm] Valley of[Am] Knocka[Em]nure. There was Lyons and Walsh and the Dalton boy, They were young and in their prime. They rambled to a lonely spot where the Black and Tans did hide. The Republic bold they did uphold, Tho' outlawed on the moor And side by side they fought and died In the Valley of Knockanure. It was on a neighboring hillside We listened in hushed dismay. In every house, in every town, a young girl knelt to pray. They're closing in around them now, with rifle fire so sure, And Lyons is dead and young Dalton's down in the Valley of Knockanure. But e'er [ere??] the guns could seal his fate, young Walsh had spoken thro' With a prayer to God he spurned the sod, As against the hill he flew The bullets tore his flesh in two, Yet he cried with voice so sure, "Revenge I'll get for my comrade's death, in the Valley of Knockanure. The summer sun is sinking low behind the field and lea. The pale moonlight is shining bright far off beyond Tralee. The dismal stars and the clouds afar are darkening o'er the moor, And the banshee cried when young Dalton died, In the Valley of Knockanure. |
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The Valley of Knockanure is a small, rural community located in the county of Kerry, Ireland. It is situated in the heart of the North Kerry countryside, surrounded by rolling hills and lush green fields. The landscape is dotted with traditional Irish cottages, charming farmhouses, and ancient ruins, giving the valley a timeless and picturesque quality.
The name Knockanure comes from the Irish words “cnoc” meaning hill and “an uir” meaning the slaughter. This name is believed to have originated from a tragic event that occurred in the valley during the 1600s. It is said that a group of local people were slaughtered by English soldiers during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. This event left a lasting mark on the valley and its people, shaping their history and culture.
The valley has a rich and varied history, dating back to neolithic times. Evidence of early human settlement can be found in the numerous archaeological sites scattered throughout the area. These include the Knockanure Bog Road, a prehistoric trackway that was used for transporting bog turf, and the Knockanure Portal Tomb, a 4,000-year-old burial site.
The valley has also played a significant role in Irish mythology and folklore. According to legend, the ancient Irish hero Cúchulainn trained in the valley with the warrior woman Scáthach. It is also believed that the legendary Irish warrior Fionn MacCumhaill, also known as Finn McCool, lived in a cave in the nearby Knockanure Mountains.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the valley was a thriving farming community, with agriculture being the main source of income for its inhabitants. The fertile soil and mild climate of the region made it ideal for farming, and the valley became known for its high-quality dairy and beef production. The traditional farming methods and close-knit community helped to create a strong sense of identity and pride among the people of Knockanure.
However, like many small rural communities in Ireland, the valley has faced challenges in recent years. The decline of the agricultural sector and the migration of young people to urban areas have resulted in a decline in population and a shift in the demographics of the community. This has had a significant impact on the traditional way of life in Knockanure, with many local businesses and services closing down.
Despite these challenges, the people of Knockanure have shown remarkable resilience and determination to preserve their way of life and protect their community. The establishment of community organizations, such as the Knockanure Development Association, has been instrumental in promoting and supporting local initiatives and projects. These efforts have helped to revitalize the valley and attract new businesses and residents, ensuring its survival for future generations.
Today, the valley remains a close-knit and welcoming community, with a strong sense of community spirit and pride in their heritage. The annual Knockanure Heritage Weekend, which celebrates the history and culture of the valley, is a testament to this. The event attracts visitors from all over Ireland and beyond, who come to experience the beauty and charm of this hidden gem.
In conclusion, the Valley of Knockanure is not just a beautiful and tranquil place, but a community with a rich and colorful history. Its landscape, traditions, and people have been shaped by a complex and often tumultuous past, but it has also given rise to a resilient and tight-knit community that continues to thrive. As long as there are people who are willing to work together to preserve and promote its unique heritage, the Valley of Knockanure will continue to be a special place, both to its residents and visitors alike.
The name Knockanure comes from the Irish words “cnoc” meaning hill and “an uir” meaning the slaughter. This name is believed to have originated from a tragic event that occurred in the valley during the 1600s. It is said that a group of local people were slaughtered by English soldiers during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. This event left a lasting mark on the valley and its people, shaping their history and culture.
The valley has a rich and varied history, dating back to neolithic times. Evidence of early human settlement can be found in the numerous archaeological sites scattered throughout the area. These include the Knockanure Bog Road, a prehistoric trackway that was used for transporting bog turf, and the Knockanure Portal Tomb, a 4,000-year-old burial site.
The valley has also played a significant role in Irish mythology and folklore. According to legend, the ancient Irish hero Cúchulainn trained in the valley with the warrior woman Scáthach. It is also believed that the legendary Irish warrior Fionn MacCumhaill, also known as Finn McCool, lived in a cave in the nearby Knockanure Mountains.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the valley was a thriving farming community, with agriculture being the main source of income for its inhabitants. The fertile soil and mild climate of the region made it ideal for farming, and the valley became known for its high-quality dairy and beef production. The traditional farming methods and close-knit community helped to create a strong sense of identity and pride among the people of Knockanure.
However, like many small rural communities in Ireland, the valley has faced challenges in recent years. The decline of the agricultural sector and the migration of young people to urban areas have resulted in a decline in population and a shift in the demographics of the community. This has had a significant impact on the traditional way of life in Knockanure, with many local businesses and services closing down.
Despite these challenges, the people of Knockanure have shown remarkable resilience and determination to preserve their way of life and protect their community. The establishment of community organizations, such as the Knockanure Development Association, has been instrumental in promoting and supporting local initiatives and projects. These efforts have helped to revitalize the valley and attract new businesses and residents, ensuring its survival for future generations.
Today, the valley remains a close-knit and welcoming community, with a strong sense of community spirit and pride in their heritage. The annual Knockanure Heritage Weekend, which celebrates the history and culture of the valley, is a testament to this. The event attracts visitors from all over Ireland and beyond, who come to experience the beauty and charm of this hidden gem.
In conclusion, the Valley of Knockanure is not just a beautiful and tranquil place, but a community with a rich and colorful history. Its landscape, traditions, and people have been shaped by a complex and often tumultuous past, but it has also given rise to a resilient and tight-knit community that continues to thrive. As long as there are people who are willing to work together to preserve and promote its unique heritage, the Valley of Knockanure will continue to be a special place, both to its residents and visitors alike.
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=69524#1179761You know in Ireland every six months, the priest comes around to give advice and confessions to the old people, you see, in the cottages. And ther's one particular house they come to every time. Well this day they come to Knockanure in County Kerry and it was in 1922 and there was two wee lads, Eamonn Dalton and Danny Welch was on the run up in the hills and five lorry loads of Black and Tans came to hunt them. And they had a buy a fourteen year old boy called Con Dee bringing them messages to tell them how the Tans was behaving and the Tans, fifty Tans, hundred Tans, I should say, surrounded them with rifles and they told Con Dee to get away somewhere and bring a message to the village that they were willing to die to save the village. And the two fellows died. But the people, the old people coming, as they do there, they come along, old women and men and to spare them, the two lads fought to the death with a hundred Black and Tans [ lyrics ] up on the hill and saved the village from ruin, because if they ran back to the village, the lads were afraid the Tans would come back and probably kill innocent people."
The valley of Knocknanure piano keyboard letter notes below are a little bit different in key than the above whistle tab.
The valley of Knocknanure piano keyboard letter notes
