Daniel O`Donnell p… Read Full Bio ↴Born: Dungloe, Co Donegal, Ireland 12th December 1961
Daniel O`Donnell popular Irish Country/Celtic Singer since 1989. Has had over 20 top 40 albums in the UK/Ireland and 15 top 40 hit singles and 4 top 20 singles in UK/Ireland to date. Overall he has had over 30 albums to date.
The Fields Of Athenry
Daniel O'Donnell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 matter Mary when your 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 song "The Fields of Athenry" by Daniel O'Donnell tells the story of a young couple torn apart by political strife and poverty in Ireland. The first verse describes a young girl standing by a prison wall, calling out to her lover Michael who has been taken away for stealing corn. The second verse is sung from Michael's perspective, as he speaks to his lover Mary and tells her that nothing matters when she is free. He rebelled against the Famine and the Crown and was caught, leaving Mary to raise their child in dignity. In the final verse, Mary watches as the prison ship sails away with Michael on board to Botany Bay, a distant prison in Australia. She hopes and prays for his return, knowing that it is lonely around the Fields of Athenry without him.
The song is a powerful commentary on the political and social struggles faced by Irish people during the 19th century. It highlights the poverty and desperation that led many to commit crimes such as stealing food, and the harsh punishment that often awaited those who were caught. The lyrics also speak to the enduring power of love, even in the face of great adversity and separation.
Line by Line Meaning
By a lonely prison wall
On a desolate wall of a prison
I heard a young girl calling
I overheard a young girl's voice
Micheal they are taking you away
Micheal is being taken somewhere
For you stole Trevelyn's corn
Because you stole Trevelyn's corn
So the young might see the morn.
So that the young can see the morning
Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay.
There is now a prison ship waiting in the bay
Low lie the Fields of Athenry
The Fields of Athenry are desolate and depressing
Where once we watched the small free birds fly.
Previously a place where we watched birds fly freely
Our love was on the wing we had dreams and songs to sing
We had a love that was soaring and aspirations to sing and dream
It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Athenry.
It is incredibly isolating around the Fields of Athenry
I heard a young man calling
I could hear a male voice calling out
Nothing matter Mary when your free,
Nothing else matters, Mary, now that you are free
Against the Famine and the Crown
In defiance of the Famine and the monarchy
I rebelled they ran me down
I stood up against them but they hunted me
Now you must raise our child with dignity.
You now have to bring up our child with grace and pride
By a lonely harbor wall
Next to a bleak harbor wall
She watched the last star falling
She saw the final star falling from the sky
As that prison ship sailed out against the sky
As the prison ship departed into the distance
Sure she'll wait and hope and pray
She will undoubtedly wait, hope, and pray
For her love in Botany Bay
For her love who was sent to Botany Bay
It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Athenry.
It is incredibly isolating around the Fields of Athenry
Contributed by Oliver A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@esthergant62
Daniel is such a beautiful singer you can understand every word he sings
@cliveexton8993
Pure magic from an totally incredible entertainer. Thank you for the beautiful music.
@judiejohnson1000
Daniel is great singing this as he is with all he sings. 💕
@jeanchatterton311
Beautiful as always x
@wilmacox2620
Beautiful heartbreaket
@julieannebreslin8029
❤ 😊
@jackiegriffin255
Beautiful sad song
@gmichaelmoran2419
headford