Original Version
1.
Through lonely Allen bog, I heard a lark above,
from Ballinure to Knockavardagh call,
And the thrush and blackbirds thrill,
Ballintogher and Springhill,
It’s so lovely round the hills of Killenaule,
Alone Slievenamon rules over all,
The Mullinahone in song did recall,
It’s nice in Drangan and Cloneen,
St. Johnstown and Farnaleen,
But it’s lovely round the hills of Killenaule.
2.
On lonely Dunguib road, I heard a banjo play
The melody sent magic through my soul,
And I heard a love-song rare,
Fill the rich Rathmoley air,
It’s so lovely round the hills of Killenaule,
Alone Slievenamon rules over all,
Whose valleys Ballingarry enthrall,
It’s nice in Fethard and Moyglass,
And Coolmore of green-blue grass,
But it’s lovely round the hills of Killenaule.
3.
On Ballynonty’s slopes, I heard the phesant call,
In Lanespark, the hare bounds best of all,
And through Cooldine’s lowly gorse,
Ran the foxhound and the horse,
It’s so lovely round the Hills of Killenaule,
Alone Slievenamon rules over all,
From Killusty to Derrynaflan,
It’s nice in Graigue, Gortnahoe, Glengoole and Ballysloe,
But it’s lovely round the Hill of Killenaule.
Written by Davy McCormack and Liam O’ Donnell
– The History & Folklore of Killenaule/Moyglass 1990
A version by Louise Morrissey from 1989. The video was filmed in and around Killenaule in 1989 or soon after.
A version performed by St Mary’s Choir and other local Choirs/singers as part of the 150th Anniversary Celebration of St Mary’s Church on the 28th August 2015.