‘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’. Up until his passing, the Isle was traditionally led by Frank O’Flynn and in recent times has been led by either Vinny Ryan or Noel Healy.
Picture credit: Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE
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
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
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