Rory O'More
Ballad By Samuel Lover
Rory O'More (sometimes titled Rory O'More; or, Good Omens) is a humorous ballad written by Samuel Lover in the early nineteenth century. It tells the story of Rory, a lively young man, and his courtship of Kathleen Bawn.The song became popular in Ireland and Britain, and was later included in Lover's collections of ballads and stories. Its playful verses and repeated chorus helped secure its place in the tradition of comic love songs of the period.
The ballad was often performed with music, and its light-hearted narrative contrasted with more serious political songs of the same era. The name Rory O'More also recalls earlier historical figures, but in this ballad the focus is on romance and good fortune rather than rebellion.
Related Traditional Dances
Rory O'MoreRory O'More By Samuel Lover
Young Rory O'More courted Kathleen Bawn,
He was bold as a hawk, she as soft as the dawn;
He wished in his heart pretty Kathleen to please,
And he thought the best way to do that was to tease.
Chorus
"Now Rory, be easy," sweet Kathleen would cry,
"You know I said no, and you know why."
But Rory, he still kept teasing his dear,
And he won her consent by whispering near.
He looked in her eyes, and he pressed her small hand,
And he told her such tales she could not withstand;
Though she tried to be coy, and she tried to be shy,
She blushed and she smiled as he whispered his sigh.
Chorus
So Rory O'More and Kathleen Bawn,
They laughed at the omen of love's bright dawn;
And the neighbours all said, when they saw them next day,
That Rory had won her in his own merry way.
Chorus
Unlike his comic love song of the same name (above), the following version of Rory O'More recalls the seventeenth-century leader associated with the 1641 rising.
The verses present Rory as a figure of defiance, calling on faith and courage in the face of opposition. The ballad was republished in collections such as "The Ballads of Ireland" and remains part of the tradition of nationalist songs of the period.
The text reflects the atmosphere of struggle and hope, portraying Rory O'More as a symbol of resistance. It was widely circulated in print and performance, contributing to the cultural memory of the rebellion.
Rory O'More By Samuel Lover
On the green hills of Ulster the white cross waves high,
And the beacon of war throws its flames to the sky;
Now the taunt and the threat let the coward endure,
Our hope is in God and in Rory O'More!
Chorus
Do you ask why the beacon and banner of war
On the mountains of Ulster are seen from afar?
'Tis the signal our rights to regain and secure,
Through God and our Lady and Rory O'More.
The merciless foes, with their creed and their swords,
With war in their bosoms, and peace in their words,
Have sworn the bright light of our faith to obscure,
But our hope is in God and in Rory O'More.
Chorus
Oh! lives there the traitor who'd shrink from the strife-
Who, to add to the length of a forfeited life,
His country, his kindred, his faith would abjure?
No! we'll strike for our God and for Rory O'More.
Chorus
Rory O'More Song Video
Rory O'More Song - Information Video
Rory O'More, From Glen Collection Of Printed Music, Songs Of Samuel Lover, Page 52, c. 1903
Published in https://archive.org/details/poemsofireland00loveuoft (The Poems of Ireland, Samuel Lover, between 1893 and 1897)
Published in https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/sheetmusic/79/ (Historic sheet music edition with lyrics)
Published in https://www.poetry.com/poem/56611/rory-o'more (Transcript of Rory O'More; or, Good Omens)
Published in https://www.best-poems.net/samuel-lover/rory-o039more.html (Public domain text of the ballad)
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