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CREMONA - Songs of Action| Set Display | Please Turn On Your Virtual Bookmarks | You Can Help This Site | Table of Contents | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle |
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CREMONA - Songs of Action
[The French Army, including a part of the Irish Brigade, under Marshal Villeroy, held the fortified town of Cremona during the winter of 1702. Prince Eugene, with the Imperial Army, surprised it one morning, and, owing to the treachery of a priest, occupied the whole city before the alarm was given. Villeroy was captured, together with many of the French garrison. The Irish, however, consisting of the regiments of Dillon and of Burke, held a fort commanding the river gate, and defended themselves all day, in spite of Prince Eugene's efforts to win them over to his cause. Eventually Eugene, being unable to take the post, was compelled to withdraw from the city.]
The Grenadiers of Austria are proper men and tall; The Grenadiers of Austria have scaled the city wall;
They have marched from far away
Ere the dawning of the day,
And the morning saw them masters of Cremona.
There's not a man to whisper, there's not a horse to neigh; Of the footmen of Lorraine and the riders of Dupres,
They have crept up every street,
In the market-place they meet,
They are holding every vantage in Cremona.
The Marshal Villeroy he has started from his bed; The Marshal Villeroy has no wig upon his head;
'I have lost my men!' quoth he,
'And my men they have lost me,
And I sorely fear we both have lost Cremona.'
Prince Eugene of Austria is in the market-place; Prince Eugene of Austria has smiles upon his face;
Says he, 'Our work is done,
For the Citadel is won,
And the black and yellow flag flies o'er Cremona.'
Major Dan O'Mahony is in the barrack square, And just six hundred Irish lads are waiting for him there;
Says he, 'Come in your shirt,
And you won't take any hurt,
For the morning air is pleasant in Cremona.'
Major Dan O'Mahony is at the barrack gate, And just six hundred Irish lads will neither stay nor wait;
There's Dillon and there's Burke,
And there'll be some bloody work
Ere the Kaiserlics shall boast they hold Cremona.
Major Dan O'Mahony has reached the river fort, And just six hundred Irish lads are joining in the sport;
'Come, take a hand!' says he,
'And if you will stand by me,
Then it's glory to the man who takes Cremona!'
Prince Eugene of Austria has frowns upon his face, And loud he calls his Galloper of Irish blood and race:
'MacDonnell, ride, I pray,
To your countrymen, and say
That only they are left in all Cremona!'
MacDonnell he has reined his mare beside the river dyke, And he has tied the parley flag upon a sergeant's pike;
Six companies were there
From Limerick and Clare,
The last of all the guardians of Cremona.
'Now, Major Dan O'Mahony, give up the river gate, Or, Major Dan O'Mahony, you'll find it is too late;
For when I gallop back 
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