MARY'S FORGET-ME-NOTS
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13. O'Donnell Abu!!
A FAMILY WAR SONG
In the 16th Century, The O'Donnell family was one of the most powerful in Ireland. Hugh O'Donnell had been jailed in Dublin by Queen Elizabeth I. One night, he escaped (it was at Christmas time, and he made his way over the snow-covered Wicklow Mountains to freedom, and, I think, Spain -- an Irishman never let the truth stand in the way of a good story). O'Donnell and the King of Spain frequently exchanged costly gifts. When the Spanish Armada foundered in 1588, O'Donnell brought ship-wrecked sailors ashore and gave them shelter and safety. As a gesture of appreciation, King Philip II gave the four pearls known as the "Spanish Armada Pearls" to the O'Donnell family. When Queen Elizabeth defeated O'Donnell, he fled (again) to Spain, where he was hospitably received by King Philip. O'Donnell died in exile, but his heirs maintained the family court on the barren island of Arranmore, on the northwest coast of Ireland. The pearls were handed down for more than 300 years. They came to Mary O'Donnell in 1911. Her father, when he gave them to her, said: "Take care of them. They will help you in life and give you joy and happiness. Legend says that anyone who possesses them will have good luck afterwards." Mr. Chapman believes that the pearls came originally from a Far-Eastern temple where such jewelry often was connected with pagan religions. He believes that early Spanish explorers discovered the pearls and brought them to their King.
Many times I heard Aunt Jo sing this stirring war song - taught to her by Grandpa Burke -- Grandma O'Donnell also sang this song of Red Hugh O'Donnell of Donegal:
Proudly the note of the trumpet is sounding
Loudly the war cries arise on the gale
Fleetly the steed by Loch Sirling is bounding
To join the thick squadrons
In Saimer's green vale
On -- every Mountaineer
Rush to the standard of dauntless Red Hugh!!
Bonnaught and gallowglas
Throng from each mountain pass
On for old Erin!
O'Donnell Abu!!
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