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The lion of Donegal

from Into the Light by Alex MacDonald

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about

James Duffy from Donegal was my distant relation by marriage. He won the Victoria Cross (the highest British military award for bravery) during World War I. His life in returning to a changed Ireland after the war was not easy.

lyrics

The Lion of Donegal

James Duffy was his name, he was born in ’89
Where the wilds of Donegal tell a story so divine
Brought up in Letterkenny, he fished the briny tide
Then he left for Glasgow and the shipyards of the Clyde
He joined the British Army – Inniskilling Fusiliers
At Gallipoli and Salonika he overcame his fears
His task to rescue wounded men from out of living hell
His war was spent in saving life from the bullet and the shell

His clan badge was the lion, shining like the sun
And the lion was the symbol on the medal that he won

To Egypt and to Palestine his regiment was sent
To stop the Ottoman Army was their resolute intent
To the north-west of Jerusalem, the hill Kereina Peak
Was the place where Private Duffy won his honour so unique
While under fierce machine gun fire, he went out alone
To rescue wounded comrades with courage rarely shown
His bandages torn by bullets, one went through his shirt
Some men died in his arms as he brought back the badly hurt

His clan badge was the lion, shining like the sun
And the lion was the symbol on the medal that he won

Before the war was ended, he was given his VC
By the King in Buckingham Palace for everyone to see
A country fit for heroes was the promise that was made
But when the heroes came back home, the debt was left unpaid
Disabled by malaria, and work was hard to find
With a wife and growing family, life was a struggle and a grind
And for some in Ireland, he was a traitor to their cause
For he’d fought for the British Army and he obeyed their laws

But his clan badge was the lion, shining like the sun
And the lion was the symbol on the medal that he won

But as the years passed on, he was held in great respect
By the whole community, and every creed and sect
He was a quiet and humble man, played down his valiant act
He just said he’d saved two men while shells around him cracked
He refused to sell his medal, even when times were hard
The memory of his comrades he held in high regard
And the message on his gravestone speaks of grace untold
“Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on his soul”

His clan badge was the lion, shining like the sun
And the lion was the symbol on the medal that he won

© Alex J MacDonald 2017

credits

from Into the Light, released November 25, 2017
Alex MacDonald: vocals and acoustic guitar
Rob MacDonald: drums
Phil Onslow: bass
Cailean Morison: organ
Rebecca Green: backing vocals
Jon Green: trumpet, backing vocals
Vickie Ross: trombone
Steven Hammer: trombone

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Alex MacDonald Edinburgh, UK

Grew up in Kildonan Strath, Sutherland, where I loved the psalms and hymns and the old folk songs my father had learned from his drover grand uncle.Went on to Cash, the Clancys and Corries, Tom Paxton and Dylan. Started playing guitar and writing songs in my teens, but only started recording this century with my rock band sons! Either solo or with my band, I've played all over Scotland. ... more

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