The FIELDS of ATHENRY

LISTEN!
(We heard this song all over Ireland; especially many times
in person by Lorraine Ward and Vallery McCann.)
Many years ago, if the poor were caught in some minor offense, such as stealing corn to make bread for their starving family, there was a very cruel punishment: They were transported far away to Australia, never again to see their families. The family was left in worse condition than before, without husband and father to feed and protect them.

1. By a lonely prison wall,
I heard a young girl call:
"Michael, they have taken you away,
For you stole Trevelyn's corn,
So the young might see the morn.
Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay."
Refrain:
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.

2. By a lonely prison wall,
I heard a young man call
"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."
Refrain

3. By a lonely harbor wall,
She watched the last star fall
As the prison ship sailed out against the sky
For she lived to hope and pray
For her love in Botany Bay
It's so lonely round the fields of Athenry.
Refrain

To Song List or HOME