Athenry is pronounced 'Athen-rye'. 😉
The song is about a man caught stealing food during the Irish famine. He's sent away to Australia on a prison ship. It's another popular rugby/soccer song, especially when they're playing an English team.
[Verse 1]
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
[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
[Verse 2]
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
[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
[Verse 3]
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]
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
[Repeat 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