Here are the lyrics to 'The Fields of Athenry', one of the best loved Irish folk songs.
'Fields of Athenry' lyrics
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
'Fields of Athenry' lyrics meaning
Written in 1979 by Pete St. John, The Fields of Athenry is a poignant ballad set during the Great Famine, telling a story of love, loss, and resilience in the face of hardship. Its deeply emotional lyrics and strong ties to Irish history have made it one of Ireland’s most beloved songs, often heard at sporting events and gatherings.
The song follows Michael, a man sentenced to transportation to Australia for stealing food to save his starving family. Left behind, his wife Mary mourns his absence, gazing over the fields of Athenry and remembering their love and the struggles they endured.
Over the years, The Fields of Athenry has become a powerful symbol of Irish endurance and sorrow, frequently sung by fans of Irish national teams and clubs like Celtic FC. Its haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics continue to resonate, making it a timeless anthem of hope, love, and defiance against oppression.
