O' Hanlon is the name, <br />And smuggling was the game. <br />A little highway robbery, <br />To balance society's snobbery. <br />A highway man named edmond, <br />A twinkling eyed rough diamond, <br />Relieved the rich of excess <br />To help the poor to success, <br />With raising up their families, <br />To adulthood, not graveside trees. <br />The famine they survived it, <br />By sticking as a unit. <br />Some called them 'fightin' Irish', <br />With shillelagh, pipes and feistiness. <br />The Claddagh handshake signifies, <br />Their friendship, love; it verifies <br />That battles were fought yesterday, <br />O' Hanlon's name on lips today, <br />Does typify the Irish love, <br />And loyalty, travelling hand in glove, <br />With friendship quite unending. <br />The Irish hand befriending <br />A person who is so in need. <br />Deploring avaricious greed. <br />The Irish mind and spirit, <br />Sings, dances with the merit, <br />Of luck, as only they receive, <br />From Universe, we can perceive, <br />That if you have the Irish blood, <br />No one can tell you that you should. <br />O' Hanlon stands for freedom, <br />Of all on earth and kingdom. <br />They fought then for the privilege, <br />To live in peace on plain or ridge. <br />To raise their children in dignity, <br />Not sunk in ignominity, <br />But standing upright, proud and tall <br />Shoulders and head above them all. <br />O' Hanlon stands for Eire. <br />Ambassador, friend, carer. <br />So stand proud if you dare. <br />Rub shoulders, be aware, <br />That the Irish handshake is for life, <br />Through sunshine, hail, or bitter strife. <br />So if you have the fortune, <br />To find yourself in opportune, <br />Position to call O' Hanlon friend, <br />Ireland will nurture you to the end.<br /><br />Rosi Caswell<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/o-hanlon-s-gold/
