Carlow's Hallowed Grave
Author: Martin Power
Melody: The Caramagnole

Carlow's Hallowed Grave
Author: Martin Power
Melody: The Caramagnole

In Carlow town there is a grave
That lies beyond the bridge at Graigue;
It's the resting place of Carlow's sons
That fell before the Saxon guns.

CHORUS
And hallowed ground this grave it be
Where once there grew three mighty trees
Planted there for remembrance sake
For the sons that fell in ninety-eight.

In Carlow town that fateful morn
The men assembled at the dawn
And marched as one through Carlow's streets
To fight and set their country free.
But their daring plan had been revealed
And the foe, they had themselves concealed.
And as the men marched bravely on
The order rang, the trap was sprung.
'Twas the Cork militia began the slaughter
Caused by Yellow Jim the traitor
For he sold the lives of those brave men
And the Judas coin his only gain.

CHORUS
And hallowed ground this grave it be
Where once there grew three mighty trees
Planted there for remembrance sake
For sons that fell in ninety-eight.

The yeomen set the town alight
And murdered all who dare take flight,
No quarter give the Croppy Boy
We'll kill them all the Saxon cried.
And when that terrible time had passed
The dead collected and on carts were cast
And brought across the bridge at Graigue
And tossed into this lonely grave.
Men and boys, six hundred all,
In that dreadful time did fall.
Their lives they gave for God and Land,
Their resting place a pit of sand.

CHORUS
And hallowed ground this grave it be
Where once there grew three mighty trees
Planted there for remembrance sake
For sons that fell in ninety-eight.

The song remembers the massacre that took place inn Carlow town in 1798. It uses the melody of the Caramagnole, from the time of the French Revolution, and event that inspired the struggle for Republicanism in Ireland.