THE SONGS OF "ROOKWOOD."* 69 



"THE RAPPAREES. 



"Let the Englishman boast of his Turpins and Shepherds, as cocks of the 



walk, 



His Mulsacks, and Cheneys, and Swiftnecks it's all botheration and talk ; 

 Compared with the robbers of Ireland, they don't come within half a mile, 

 There never were yet any rascals, like those of my own native isle. 



/' First and foremost comes REDMOND O'HANLON, allowed the first thief of 



the world, 



That o'er the broad province of Ulster, the Rapparee banner unfurl'd ; 

 O'ch ! he was an elegant fellow, as ever you saw in your life, 

 At fingering the blunderbuss trigger, or handling the throat-cutting knife. 



" And then such a dare devil squadron as that which composed REDMOND'S 



tail ! 

 Meel, Mactigh, Jack Reilly, Shan Bernagh, Phil Galloge, and Arthur 



O'Neal; 



Shure never were any boys like 'em, for rows, agitation, and sprees : 

 Scarce a rap did they leave in the country, and hence they were called Rap- 



parees. 



IP Next comes POWER the great Tory of Munster, a gentleman born every 



inch, 

 And strong JACK MACPHERSON of Leinster, a horse shoe who broke at a 



pinch ; 



The last was a fellow so lively, not death e'en his courage could damp, 

 For as he was led to the gallows, he played his own own ' march to the 



camp.' 



" PADDY FLEMING, DICK BALF, and MULHONI, I think are the next on my 



list, 



All adepts in the beautiful science of giving a pocket a twist; 

 JEMMY CARRICK must follow his leaders, ould Purney who put in a huff, 

 By dancing a hornpipe at Tyburn, and bothering the hangman for snuff. 



" There's PAUL LIDDY the curl-pate Tory, whose noddle was stuck on a 



spike, 



And BILLY DELANY the " Songster," we never shall meet with his like ; 

 For his neck by a witch was anointed, and warranted safe by her charm, 

 No hemp that was ever yet twisted, his wonderful throttle could harm. 



" And lastly there's CAHIR NA CAPFUL, the handiest rogue of them all, 

 Who only need whisper a word, and your horse will trot out of his stall ; 

 Your tit is not safe in your stable, though you or your groom should be 



near, 

 And devil a bit in the paddock, if CAHIR gets hould of his ear. 



" Then success to the Tories of Ireland, the generous, the gallant, the gay, 

 With them the best Rumpads of England are not to be named the same 



day ; 

 And were further proof wanting to show what precedence we take with 



our prigs, 

 Recollect that our robbers are TORIES, while those of your country arc 



WHIGS." 



The notes to this song are amusing and instructive, but too long to 

 be extracted. In fact, we have already exceeded our limits. One 

 other sombre strain and we have done. 



