The Murlog Strike of 1918

Author unknown

The Union Flag is waving still in Murlog’s famous hall.

Surrounded by the fearless men of heath clad Donegal,

They did unite in one true band and from many a hill and glen,

From that old hall still comes the call of Murlog’s Union men.

It was on a sunny April morn and the sky was blue and clear,

Those heroes’ great did congregate from Porthall and Rossgeir,

From Ballindrait and Tober, from Lifford and Glensmoyle,

They assembled there in thousands like true born sons of toil.

Inchany men did proudly come with a spirit bold and fine,

And Ballybogan and Camus were first to toe the line,

We are not out for battle; we have no foemen to slay,

We only ask the farmers to give us union pay.

Too long we have wrought for a coolie’s wage too long like slaves did toil,

The backbone of the nation, the tillers of the soil,

Some of these Clonleigh farmers are enemies you know,

They were planted here in Donegal three hundred years ago.

They came across the channel in the by-gone days of yore,

When you read your Irish history of them you will know more,

But let us hope the day is near when this great strike will end,

But we must trust brave Donnelly our leader and our friend.

When he meets the crafty farmer, his spirit is the same,

He always kicks the union ball to the goal at which we aim,

Also McNamara is bound to will applauses,

That gentleman, I understand, the mainspring of our cause.

And I can’t forget McGranaghan; he freely uses his pen,

To assist these noble strikers, called the Murlog Union men,

So united we stand, divided we fall,

An injury done to one of our band,is an injury done to all..

Author unknown.