"O'Donnell Abú" is a traditional Irish song. Its lyrics were written by Michael Joseph McCann in 1843. It refers to the Gaelic lord Red Hugh O'Donnell who ruled Tyrconnell in the late sixteenth century first with the approval of the Crown authorities in Dublin and later in rebellion against them during Tyrone's Rebellion. The title refers to the Gaelic war cry of "Abú," "To victory," which followed a commander's name.
Contents
Style
Stylistically the song draws on the romantic nationalism of the mid-nineteenth century, similar to those of McCann's contemporary Thomas Davis.
Lyrics
The song portrays the rallying cry for the O’Donnell clan, called to assemble at a location on the banks of the River Erne. the Bonnaught and Gallowglass were Irish and Scots mercenaries employed by O'Donnell to guard the mountain passes. They are now summoned to join the rest of O'Donnell's forces, who await the arrival of Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and the Borderers who protect his lands.
Legacy
In the 1930s it was adopted as the anthem of the Irish Blueshirts. In the 1960s the song was recorded by the Irish folk group Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers.
The air was chosen by Radio Éireann as the station ID signal for 2RN (Radio Athlone, its main transmitter) in 1936, after a poll of listeners. A music-box version of O'Donnell Abú remains the station ID signal for RTE Radio One to this day.