The Offaly Rover - Derek McCormack

Derek McCormack singing The Offaly Rover.

a rover I have been and a rover I will stay
but to that faithful county I will return some day
Uibh Fhaile how I love you with your heather scented air
silently the peaceful brosna calls her sons from far and near

Oh Kinnitty I long to see
when the woodbines in full bloom
or stroll the fields around Ferbane hear the wild birds in full tune
at Clonmacnoise I'll see you
onto Banagher well stray
where the fishermen will drink and tear of the ones that got away

Though dead are still in exile
are some friends I used to know
still I must pass Killoughy
where great sportmen are laid low
By Croghan Hill i see you
where in childhood I did play
so adieu to you beloved Slieve Bloom
I must be on my way

Pile the brown turf on the fire bring the keg in from the barn
let the blacksmith sing his rebel song and the poacher tell his yarn
come close my friends and neighbors fill your glasses to the brim
and we'll toast our Offaly heros from the heather, hill and glen.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The
• Offaly
• Rover
• Derek
• McCormack
• music
• song
• offaly
• irish
• folk

[DaraghPhelan]

Is this the same Derek McCormack who toured with the Fureys for a long time one of Paul's best friends?

[machree01]

Yes it is Daragh, he also played with Barleycorn.

[daffid3]

c'mon the faithful.....

[tongiorgi]

has anybody got "green fields around Ferbane" ?

[ireland3310]

Irish By Birth

Offaly by grace of god!

[traleegl]

Maybe the best voice ever to come out of Ireland. My he RIP.

[Klastar99]

2day brian cowan came 2 our skool we had 2 sing dat song

[aodchain]

This is the type of song that should be played in Croke Park before and at half time in games not the stuff they have on. Jeasus even if they had your man with the beret Brush Shields he would get the crowd involved.

[DiceyRileyProduction]

up uibh fhaili

no better song writer than edenderry man joey ryan, brilliant song

[mufcdouble2008]

Cant believe he mentioned ferbane! haha beautiful song, thanks for posting.

[CiarnC81]

Gowan Uibh Fhaile. Up birr

[lorgain2]

Derek was up there with the best God rest his Soul, thanks Machree.

[lorgain2]

Nice one Dec.