The Songbook













 

 Click on pic for full size photo 'The Isle' is Shannon RFC's anthem/victory song. It originated as a Scottish poem and was put to music in 1924 by Anna Maria Lynch, who was music teacher in St. Mary's girls school, at the time. It got its first rendition outside of Cowey's bar (now Radcliff's) on Athlunkard St. in the 'Parish'. It has been getting an airing a lot more frequently in recent years, for obvious reasons, led by the 'Bard of Thomond' Frank O'Flynn.
Info from Stephen Fitzgerald, Shannon vice-captain, 1945.
Download (almost full song) .wav audio file (2mb)

'Shannon, You Are Our Pride' is taken from the video of Shannon's first AIL winning season, sung by: Frank O'Flynn,Michael Noel Ryan,Bobby Keane,Martin Clancy,Donough Flannery and Gerry O'Halloran.
Download 'pride' .wav audio file (2mb)

Also here are the words of that old favorite'Roll Along, Shannon Forwards'
 
'There is an Isle'
There is an Isle
A bonnie Isle
Stands proudly from
Stands proudly from the sea
And dearer far than all this world
Is that dear Isle
Is that dear Isle to me
It is not that alone it stands
Where all around is fresh and fair
But because, it is my native land
And my home, my home is there
But because, it is my native land
And my home, my home is there

Farewell, farewell
Though lands may meet
May meet my gaze
My gaze where e're I roam
I shall not find
A spot so fair
As that dear Isle
As that dear Isle to me
It is not that alone it stands
Where all around is fresh and fair
But because, it is my native land
And my home, my home is there
But because, it is my native land
And my home, my home is there

 'Shannon, You Are our Pride' 
Shannon, You are our Pride
Our only hope and glory
Your fame is handed down 
To us in song and story
You must win this cup boys 
After all your training
So pack tightly in the scrum
And cross the line to victory

Out among the fields of mud and slush
You will see those Shannon forwards rush
Whilst speedy backs are passing
Then, from a scrum outside the line
Where play had been there all the time
Someone in Black and Blue crossed over

Shannon, You are our Pride
Our only hope and glory
Your fame is handed down 
To us in song and story
You must win this cup boys 
After all your training
So pack tightly in the scrum
And cross the line to victory

'Roll Along, Shannon Forwards'
Roll along, Shannon forwards, roll along
Cross the line, score a try, twon't take you long
You will always be true to your colours, Black and Blue
Roll along, Shannon forwards, roll along
Shannon backs leave it out and win the cup
And at Cowhey's public house we'll fill it up
Then we'll prove to all the rest
That we're Ireland's very best
Roll along, Shannon forwards, roll along
Yippy, Yippy, Yip, "Old Timer"
Coaching on the field won't do
Ye all know from past experience
How hard it is to beat the Black and Blue
Roll along, Shannon forwards, roll along
Cross the line, score a try, twon't take you long
We'll engrave your names in gold, as we did in days of old
Shannon backs, halves and forwards roll along