The Old Fenian Gun Lyrics
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The Old Fenian Gun Lyrics
Lyrics (Just Irish Music Version)
It hung above the kitchen fire, its barrel long and brown,
And one day, with a boy's desire, I climbed and took it down.
My father's eyes in anger flashed, he cried, "What have you done?
I wish you'd left it where it was, that's my old Fenian gun".
Curiosity awakened me, I looked it o'er and o'er,
I placed it on my shoulder and I marched across the floor.
My father's anger softened then, he shared my boyish fun,
"Ah, well," he said, "'tis in your breed like that old Fenian gun".
I was down there in Kilmallock, 'twas the hottest fight of all,
And you see I burned his arm, there's a mark still of the ball.
I hope the boys that's going now will keep the ground that's won,
And not disgrace the cause in which we held the Fenian gun.
"I remember sixty-seven well", he said, "when lads like me,
We said we'd strike another blow to set old Ireland free.
How foolish were our boyish hopes I was months upon the run,
But it did good work for Ireland then, did that old Fenian gun."
I placed it o'er the fire once more, I heard my father sigh,
I knew his thoughts was turning back on days now long gone by.
And then I solemnly declared I'll be my father's son,
And if ever Ireland wants my aid I'll follow a Fenian gun.
[ Instrumental ]
That's years ago, I've grown to man and I've weathered many a gale,
The last long year was spent inside a gloomy English jail.
I've done my part, I'll do it still, until the fight is won.
And when Ireland's free, we'll bless the man who held the Fenian gun.
Oh... Oh-oh-oh-oh... Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh... Ooh-oh-oh-oh... Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh... Oh-oh-oh-oh... Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh... Oh-oh-oh-oh... Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
The Old Fenian Gun - Traditional Lyrics
Lyrics (Traditional Version)
It hung above the kitchen fire, its barrel long and brown,
And one day, with a boy's desire, I climbed and took it down.
My father's eyes in anger flashed, he cried: "What have you done?
I wish you'd left it where it was, that's my old Fenian gun."
I fondled it with love and pride, I looked it o'er and o'er;
I placed it on my shoulder and I marched across the floor.
My father's anguish softened and he shared my boyish fun —
"Ah, well," he said, "'tis in your breed like that old Fenian gun!"
"I remember '67 well," he said, "when lads like me,
All thought we'd strike another blow to set old Ireland free.
But broken were our golden hopes, I was long months on the run,
But it did good work for Ireland then — that brown old Fenian gun."
"I was down there in Kilmallock — 'twas the hottest fight of all —
And you see" — He burned his arm — "There's a mark still of the ball.
I hope the young guns growing now will hold the ground we won,
And not disgrace the cause in which we held that Fenian gun."
I placed it o'er the fire once more, I heard my father sigh,
I knew his thoughts was turning back on days now long gone by.
And then I vowed within my heart: "I'll be my father's son,
And if ever Ireland wants my aid I'll hold a Fenian gun."
That's years ago, I've grown a man and weathered many a gale,
The last long year I've spent inside a gloomy English jail.
I've done my part, I'll do it still until the fight is won.
And when Ireland's free, she'll bless the man who held a Fenian gun.
Song Details
🎶 Traditional Air: The Felons of Our Land
✍️ Lyricist: Unknown (Traditional / Fenian-era ballad)
Some early republican songbooks attribute the lyrics to “Phil O’Neil,” but no historical record of this author exists, and the song is generally regarded as traditional.
📝 Song Brief: A proud Fenian‑era ballad told through the eyes of a young boy who listens as his father recalls the old struggles for Irish freedom. The “old Fenian gun” hanging above the hearth becomes a symbol of memory, rebellion, and the stories passed from one generation to the next, reflectiing on the Fenian Rising of 1867, and the fighting around Kilmallock. As the song moves forward, the boy grows into a man, faces imprisonment in an English jail, and remains committed to the cause his father spoke of. The piece shares the lasting hope that Ireland will one day honour all who carried the Fenian spirit.
📖 Glossary:- Fenian — A member of the Fenian Brotherhood or Irish Republican Brotherhood, 19th‑century organisations dedicated to establishing an independent Irish republic. The term is often used to describe rebels involved in the 1867 Rising.
- ’67 — A reference to the Fenian Rising of 1867, a failed but symbolically important rebellion against British rule. Though militarily unsuccessful, it inspired later generations of Irish republicans.
- Kilmallock — A town in County Limerick that saw notable Fenian activity during the 1867 Rising. It is frequently mentioned in songs and stories connected to the movement.
- Young guns — A colloquial phrase meaning young fighters, new recruits, or the next generation of rebels. In the song, it refers to those who inherit the spirit and stories of earlier struggles.
🍀 Genre: Irish Rebel Song
👥 Covers: The Blarney Pilgrims, Marc Gunn, Sean Brady, Hugh Trainor,
🎤 Creators: Just Irish Music - a youtube channel dedicated to reviving powerful traditional Irish ballads, soulful Celtic melodies, & stirring songs of rebellion, love, myth, and memory.
▶️ Series: Ireland Under the Crown - Volume One - Traditional 17th and 18th century Irish ballads of persecution, endurance and fighting back.
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📖 References
- Songs of the Irish Republic
by Coiste Foillseachán Náisiúnta (The National Publications Committee)
Publication date: March 1962
Source: Internet Archive - Thomas J. Kelly
Fenian leader associated with the 1867 Rising.
Source: Dictionary of Irish Biography
- Fenian Rising of 1867
Historical overview (general reference)
Source: Wikipedia
