The Shooting At Shean
Author: Peter Cleary
Singer 1: Danny Browne
Singer 2: John Candy

The Shooting At Shean
Author: Peter Cleary
Singer 1: Danny Browne
Singer 2: John Candy

Theme: Patriotic heroes Location: Carlow south
The song is about two men who died in the Irish Civil War; they were shot by government forces at Shean, near Myshall

In the county of Carlow two rebels were slaughtered
Two brave Irish heroes who loved Erin dear
With the guns of the British that they lent Dick Mulcahy
They were both assassinated at Carthy’s of Shean.

That beautiful mountain looks down over Myshal,
Its brown heathered valley they often patrolled;
At length they were shot by their own native tilers
Just because they stood loyal to the green, white and gold.

The priest of the parish at once was informed
To proceed to the spot when the battle was o’er
For to raise up to glory the souls of the rebels
Who fought to free Ireland and were left in their gore.

May God bless our brave curate who mounted his charger,
All o’er a rough country like a bird he did fly
For to mingle their souls in the kingdom of glory
Where no traitor or spy may intend to enjoy.

The deeds of those rebels will n’er be forgotten;
Ireland united no one can deplore
No high court of justice by Churchill can function
For to seize on the cow of the down-trodden poor.

But now in deep sorrow your hearts are all broken
Your face is as dark as the cold winter spleen,
For ye know ye did wrong for to vote in the tyrants
Who sent before God Miley Carroll at Shean.

Likewise Jim O’Toole in that battle had fallen,
With the lead of the Thompson some coward laid him low.
His noble ancestors in the dark days of Cromwell
Wove the green flag of Ireland o’er the hills of Wicklow.

Now in conclusion, in respect for those martyrs,
Let all you good Christians while out on patrol,
Ere you draw near the graves of Jim Toole or Myles Carroll,
Say the Lord may have mercy on the dead rebels’ souls.