The Fields of Athenry
The Fields of Athenry
(Pete St. John – 1979)
“The Fields of Athenry is probably the best-known song about the Great Famine which raged over Ireland from 1845 until 1849.
The main character is awaiting transportation to the penal colony Botany Bay for stealing corn from a food depot. Whilst imprisoned his thoughts wander off to the abandoned fields of Athenry, a village just east of Galway Town.”
An unofficial national anthem, which all Irish people know and can sing by heart, especially if they belong to football and rugby fans.
Performance on May 6th 2019 in Athenry, Ireland.
Paddy Reilly and The Dubliners
Paddy Reilly
The Dubliners 1985
The Fields of Athenry
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
I campi di Athenry
«Vicino a un solitario muro di una prigione
Ho sentito una giovane ragazza chiamare:
"Michael, ti hanno portato via,
perché hai rubato il granoturco di Trevelyn
Perché i bambini potessero vedere l'alba
Adesso una nave prigione attende nella baia"
Ritornello:
Sono pianeggianti i campi di Athenry
Dove una volta guardammo gli uccellini volare
Il nostro amore era "sull'ala"
Avevamo sogni e canzoni da cantare
È così solitario attorno ai campi di Athenry.
Vicino a un solitario muro di una prigione
Ho sentito un giovane uomo chiamare:
"Non importa, Mary, quando tu sei libera
Contro la carestia e la corona
Mi sono ribellato, mi hanno fermato.
Adesso devi crescere i nostri bambini con dignità"
(Ritornello)
Vicino a un solitario muro di un porto
Guardava l'ultima stella cadere
Quando la nave prigione partì verso il cielo
Così visse sperando e pregando
Per il suo amore in Botany Bay (il posto dove portavano i prigionieri)
È così solitario attorno ai campi di Athenry.»
(Ritornello)
