“The Fields of Athenry” was originally penned and performed by an artist named Pete St John. While not a particularly well known artist, St. John’s lyrics inspired many artists to cover the song for its artistic value, as well as its political message. To better understand the nature of the song, it is important to analyze its origins and inspiration.
St. John wrote “The Fields of Athenry” during the 1970s, in the midst of the Troubles. The question raised, then, is the nature of his intent in writing a “classic folk song” about the Irish Potato Famine when another political conflict was already underway. One has to wonder whether his intent was to inspire further anti-British sentiment by appealing to old wounds, or whether it was just an unhappy conincidence.
It is important to note that each of the bands examined in this project interpreted the song in a different way. As a result, it is important to carefully analyze St. John’s lyrics to better understand the meaning behind the song which links each group’s performance.
Fields of Athenry by Pete St John
By a lonely prison wall
I heard a young girl calling
Micheal they are taking you away
For you stole Trevelyn’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 ran 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 harbor wall
She watched the last star falling
As that prison ship sailed out against the sky
Sure she’ll wait and 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.
The first major historical reference that the song makes is to “Trevelyan’s Corn.” From the context of the rest of the song, it can be assumed that St. John was making a reference to Sir Charles Trevelyan, a British civil servant and colonial administrator. Trevelyan’s legacy is marked by his anti-Irish racial sentiment, and his criticism of relief aid during the famine has led to highly negative opinions among Irish hitorians. St. John is referencing the Irish need to resort to petty criminal activity to survive during the famine, particularly as a result of the heavy taxes placed on farmers at the time.
The second verse of the song references rebellion “Against the Famine and the Crown,” make potential references to either the Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848 or to the Fenian Rising of 1867, which involved mass imprisonments by British authorities. The lyrics go on to speak of raising a child “with dignity.” It is likely that this meant reinforcing the ideals of Irish nationalism and anti-British sentiment. This would, in turn, contribute to a new generation of Irish independence fighters, helping to secure the nation’s future.
One must consider the reasons that the band we have chosen decided to cover this song. While the anti-British message may have appealed to the pro-rebel Wolfe Tones and Dropkick Murphys, the lyric beauty of the song may have appealed to the middle-of-the-road Dubliners. Of course, the popularity of the song also played a major part in that decision, as it helped each group appeal to a wider audience.
“The Fields of Athenry” has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and has become an anthem of sorts for pre-game warm-ups for soccer matches in Ireland, and for the Irish national team. The song’s popularity in more modern times and its rebranded, commercial nature can likely be attributed to the recordings made by the Dropkick Murphys, the Wolfe Tones, and the Dubliners.