"O God, I could be bounded in a nut shell and count myself
a king of infinite space,
were it not that I have bad dreams."
- Hamlet Act II scene ii
17 February 2024
Athenry
Pete St John - writer of "The Fields of Athenry"
Memories of Inishmaan led me east of Galway to the little market town of Athenry. It appears on the very edge of the map I put at the head of my last post.
Athenry is a sleepy place that may have remained unremarkable in its obscurity were it not for a song written in the nineteen seventies by a man called Peter Mooney whose stage name was Pete St John. That song, "The Fields of Athenry" reflects on past injustices and perhaps how the potato famine and forced transportation affected ordinary lives.
It is a very simple song but the chorus has lifted so many hearts, creating a supernatural sense of togetherness and identity - mostly in those who have Ireland in their blood. It is sung in stadiums by Liverpool supporters, Celtic supporters and The Irish national rugby team to name but three:-
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
Peter Mooney died in 2022 at the age of 90 but I suspect that his famous song will last forever - well almost forever.
It has been recorded by several individuals and bands but I think that the definitive version is by the Dubliner - Paddy Reilly. With his mellow, tuneful singing voice he took the song where it needed to be - finding its rightful place in Ireland's rich cultural heritage. Here's Paddy Reilly in 2010 in Cork Opera House:-
At Pete St John's wake in a Dublin bar in 2022, we see and hear Paddy Reilly as an old man singing the song that made his name too. He was with Glen Hansard who also sang at the funeral of Shane McGowan. I must admit that I began to weep half way through this unplanned version:-
Bed time watching for the clips, and I'll be able to cry as I want to. A local blogger who I read was part of a guided tour in Ireland. An Englishwoman on the tour objected to the Irish guide's frank description of the cause of the potato famine, and it was on between them for the rest of the tour. As I read it, the female tour guide seemed to keep provoking the English woman, and she kept biting back. The rest of the group were quite amused.
The rule should be to sing your own version - not trying to imitate anybody else. Paddy Reilly had such a rich voice . I like the little twist he puts into the word "Low".
Interesting how someone could write a ballad in the 1970s about the 19th century YP. Ironically one of my favourite Rock bands Thin Lizzy recorded Whiskey In The Jar wrote in the 17th century. Carrickfergus is probably my favourite sad Irish ballad.
Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.
At the Dog and Partridge Trippet lane x
ReplyDeleteIt was like an outpost of Ireland back in the day.
DeleteWhat a beautiful, sad song. I'm also a fan of Glen Hansard. Loved him in the movie "Once".
ReplyDeleteDid you know that he received a best song oscar for "Falling Slowly" fifteen years ago?
DeleteBed time watching for the clips, and I'll be able to cry as I want to. A local blogger who I read was part of a guided tour in Ireland. An Englishwoman on the tour objected to the Irish guide's frank description of the cause of the potato famine, and it was on between them for the rest of the tour. As I read it, the female tour guide seemed to keep provoking the English woman, and she kept biting back. The rest of the group were quite amused.
ReplyDeleteThe Englishwoman should have put a sack over the Irish guide's head before transporting her to Botany Bay via FedEx.
DeleteThere is a hidden banjo in the second video.
ReplyDeleteWhen the camera phone swings right near the end of the video you can see a fellow on the bench with his banjo on his lap.
DeleteOne of my favorite songs. Agree on Paddy's version, although I do enjoy hearing the many interpretations of it. Keeps it alive.
ReplyDeleteThe rule should be to sing your own version - not trying to imitate anybody else. Paddy Reilly had such a rich voice . I like the little twist he puts into the word "Low".
DeleteI hope the sun shines on your walk today.
ReplyDeleteBut I didn't have a walk today!
DeleteInteresting how someone could write a ballad in the 1970s about the 19th century YP. Ironically one of my favourite Rock bands Thin Lizzy recorded Whiskey In The Jar wrote in the 17th century. Carrickfergus is probably my favourite sad Irish ballad.
ReplyDeleteThat is also a beautiful song ye ol' softie!
DeleteNice voice and bet there were many pleasant evenings listening and drinking.
ReplyDeleteTo be sure, to be sure...
DeleteYes. The second clip. The song sung where and as it should be.
ReplyDeleteThe old man - Paddy Reilly was good friends with Pete St John.
DeleteI have never heard that song. As Ms Moon said, the version in the second clip seems so fitting.
ReplyDeleteI think you will hear it again some time, somewhere.
DeleteMany of these isolated islands had some interesting history.
ReplyDeleteThere are burial mounds there from 4000 years ago.
DeleteCan u email just how you did the books?
ReplyDeleteI didn't listen yesterday because of a headache, so I listened just now and damn! It made me cry. So beautiful and so sad.
ReplyDelete