Bridge Building on The One Road

Fascinating fact: the Irish Army has an official anthem since 1943 The One Road (written by Frank O’Donovan) which is never played in public by the Army No.1 Band. Why? Have its sentiments evaporated or is it that the more popular version by the Rebel rousing Wolfe Tones has supplanted it in the mind of the populace? It’s a horrible jangly noise as compared to the brassy jauntiness of the military march. The brother was a Commandant in the Army in the 80’s stationed at the Curragh Camp when the British ambassador came to call, Troubles bridge building. On his arrival the band struck up, yes, The One Road. All the officers looked at each other suppressing a smile and hoping that the ambassador did not recognise the tune.

The last verse goes:

Night is darkest just before the dawn
From dissension Ireland is reborn
Soon we'll all be United Irishmen
Make our land a Nation Once Again

Another fascinating fact. The rank of Commandant follows the French Revolutionary Army ranking, a tribute going back to 1798 when they invaded Ireland to support the United Irishmen. It is equivalent to the rank of Major.

Song Lyrics:

On The One Road
Francis O'Donovan
We're on the one road, sharing the one load
We're on the road to God knows where
We're on the one road, it may be the wrong road
But we're together now who cares?
Northmen, Southmen, comrades all!
Dublin, Belfast, Cork or Donegal!
We're on the one road, swinging along, singin' a soldier's song!

Though we've had our troubles now and then
Now's the time to make them up again
Sure aren't we all Irish anyhow?
Now is the time to step together now

We're on the one road, sharing the one load
We're on the road to God knows where
We're on the one road, it may be the wrong road
But we're together now who cares?
Northmen, Southmen, comrades all!
Dublin, Belfast, Cork or Donegal!
We're on the one road, swinging along, singin' a soldier's song!

Tinker, tailor ­ every mother's son
Butcher, baker ­ shouldering his gun
Rich man, poor man ­ every man in line
All together, just like Auld Lang Syne!

We're on the one road, sharing the one load
We're on the road to God knows where
We're on the one road, it may be the wrong road
But we're together now who cares?
Northmen, Southmen, comrades all!
Dublin, Belfast, Cork or Donegal!
We're on the one road, swinging along, singin' a soldier's song!

Night is darkness just before the dawn
From dissensions, Ireland is reborn
Soon, will all United Irishmen
Make our land a Nation Once Again!

We're on the one road, sharing the one load
We're on the road to God knows where
We're on the one road, it may be the wrong road
But we're together now who cares?
Northmen, Southmen, comrades all!
Dublin, Belfast, Cork or Donegal!
We're on the one road, swinging along, singin' a soldier's song!