Fields Of Athenry lyrics
Paddy ReillyBy a lonely prison wall
I heard a young girl calling
Michael they are taking you away
For you stole Trevelyn’s corn
So the young might see the morn.
Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay.
[Chorus]
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 your free,
Against the Famine and the Crown
I rebelled they cut me down
Now you must raise our child with dignity.
[Chorus]
By a lonely harbour wall
She watched the last star falling
As the prison ship sailed out against the sky
For she’ll live and hope and pray
For her love in Botany Bay
It’s so lonely ’round the Fields of Athenry.
[Chorus]
Song Details
Composer: Pete St. John - 1979 - set during the Great Famine of the 1840s in Ireland.
Brief: It tells the story of Michael who lives near County Galway. During the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s, Michael stole corn to feed his starving family. He was caught and sentenced to a term in Botany Bay which is situated in Sydney, Australia, far far-away from home. His wife is left to care for the children, living in hope and praying for her 'love', as she feels the loneliness 'round the Fields Of Athenry'.
It has been recorded by many artists over the years, and has been used in several movies along with a number of sporting clubs that have also adopted the song.
Movies: “Priest,” “The Matchmaker,” “Veronica Guerin,” and “Dead Poets Society”
Sporting Clubs:- Galway county hurling team in the late 1980s
- Republic of Ireland national football team supporters during the 1990 World Cup
- Celtic Football Club supporters in the early 1990s
Category: Irish Folk Ballad
Covers: Paddy Reilly (featured), Neil Byrne and Ryan Kelly, Dropkick Murphys, The Dubliners, James Galway, The High Kings, Daniel O'Donnell, Frank Patterson, Brush Shiels, Ronan Tynan (The Irish Tenors) and many more.
Album: The Fields Of Athenry - Paddy Reilly
