The Fields Of Athenry Song And Lyrics

Are you looking for The Fields of Athenry lyrics? 

Although the events it recounts occurred in the 1840s, the song “The Fields of Athenry” did not exist until the 1970s, making its listeners wait an additional 125 years.

This traditional Irish ballad is set in the town of Athenry in County Galway and narrates the tale of a man named Michael.

Although fictional, Michael’s story reflected the reality of the time. He stole food to provide for his family and was transported to Botany Bay as punishment. Irish sports fans have taken to this ballad in droves, which has helped put the once-obscure town of Athenry on the map.

Athenry is located in the west of Ireland, 25 kilometers east of Galway City. Among Ireland’s medieval towns, Athenry is the most well-preserved. Most of its original prominent structures are still surviving. In addition to its medieval street layout, each burgage plot also features distinct property lines.

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The Irish name Dun na Rogh (ford of kings) for Athenry comes from its history as a crossroads for three kingdoms. The Meyler de Bermingham castle, constructed in 1240, is the sole tourist magnet in modern-day Athenry.

The year 1979 saw the publication of “The Fields of Athenry,” a work by Pete St. John. Danny Doyle recorded it that same year, and his version also made it into the top ten on the Irish Singles Chart.

In 1982, Barleycorn re-released the song and it once again peaked, this time at number seven in Ireland. Still, Paddy Reilly’s 1982 release is universally regarded as the best. It spent a total of 72 weeks in the top 10 in Ireland while reaching a lowly peak position of #4. Since then, two more renditions have made it into the Irish top ten: the Cox Crew hit number five in 1999, and Dance to Tipperary reached number six in 2001.

Numerous performers have recorded and released popular versions of “The Fields of Athenry,” including The Dubliners, Daniel O’Donnell, James Galway, The High Kings, and Tir na n’Og. The Pogues and The Dropkick Murphys are just two examples of folk punk bands that have put their own unique spin on the genre.

Despite these excellent renditions, Irish sports fans may be more likely to associate The “Fields of Athenry” than professional artists.

There aren’t many songs with the ability to bring a nation together like “The Fields of Athenry.” Lyrics like “Against the famine and the Crown I rebelled” from the song struck at the very heart of the modern Irish psyche, and the song’s catchy tune helped carry the message home.

As a result of its success, the song was adopted as the national anthem of Ireland and is now frequently performed all over the world by the Irish diaspora.

The Fields Of Athenry Song And Lyrics

 

Here’s the full song for your listening pleasure, with lyrics below.

The Fields Of Athenry Lyrics

By a lonely prison wall
I heard a young girl calling
“Michael, they have taken you away
For you stole Trevelyan’s corn
So the young might see the morn
Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay”

Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing we had dreams and songs to sing
It’s so lonely ’round the fields of Athenry

By a lonely prison wall
I heard a young man calling
“Nothing matters, Mary, when you’re free
Against the famine and the crown
I rebelled, they cut me down
Now you must raise our child with dignity”

Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing we had dreams and songs to sing
It’s so lonely ’round the fields of Athenry

By a lonely harbour wall
She watched the last star falling
As that prison ship sailed out against the sky
For she lived in hope and pray
For her love in Botany Bay
It’s so lonely ’round the fields of Athenry

Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing we had dreams and songs to sing
It’s so lonely ’round the fields of Athenry