The Fields Of Athenry
Firkin Lyrics


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By a lonely prison wall
I heard a young girl calling
Micheal 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.

refr.
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 your free,
Against the Famine and the Crown
I rebelled they cut me down
Now you must raise our child in dignity.

refr.

By a lonely harbour 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.





refr.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Firkin's song "The Fields of Athenry" tell a poignant story set in Ireland during the 19th century. The song is written from the perspective of a young girl, Mary, whose lover, Michael, has been taken away and imprisoned for stealing corn from Trevelyan. The stolen corn was meant to be a means for survival during the Great Irish Famine, where many people were suffering and starving. Michael's act of rebellion against the British Crown and their lack of assistance during this devastating time resulted in him being imprisoned on a prison ship waiting in the bay.


The first verse conveys Mary's despair as she stands by a lonely prison wall, hearing the echoes of her voice calling out for Michael. The chorus, "Low lie the Fields of Athenry," paints a picture of the once vibrant and free atmosphere of the fields, now overshadowed by sorrow and imprisonment. The lyrics evoke a powerful sense of loss and longing for a life that once was, where dreams and songs were shared between lovers.


The second verse shifts to Michael's perspective, as he calls out nothing matters to Mary as long as she is free. He expresses his rebellion against the famine and the Crown, but the consequence was being "cut down" or arrested. Michael acknowledges that Mary now has the responsibility of raising their child in dignity, as he remains imprisoned.


The final verse portrays Mary watching the last star falling by a lonely harbor wall, symbolizing her hopelessness as she watches the prison ship sail away into the sky. Mary's devotion to Michael is evident as she waits, hopes, and prays for his return, even as he is sent off to Botany Bay. The song concludes with the recurring chorus, highlighting the loneliness that pervades the Fields of Athenry.


Overall, "The Fields of Athenry" serves as both a historical and emotional depiction of the struggles faced by the Irish people during the Great Irish Famine, while touching on themes of love, loss, and perseverance.


Line by Line Meaning

By a lonely prison wall
Next to a desolate wall in the prison


I heard a young girl calling
I listened to a girl's desperate cries


Micheal they have taken you away
Michael, they have captured and imprisoned you


For you stole Trevelyan's corn
Because you took Trevelyan's corn unlawfully


So the young might see the morn
So that the youth could witness the morning


Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay.
Currently, a ship used as a prison is anchored in the bay


Low lie the Fields of Athenry
The Fields of Athenry lay in a sorrowful state


Where once we watched the small free birds fly.
A place where we used to admire the freedom of small birds in flight


Our love was on the wing we had dreams and songs to sing
Our love was flourishing, and we had aspirations and melodies to share


It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Athenry.
It is incredibly solitary in the surroundings of Athenry's fields


By a lonely prison wall
Adjacent to a desolate wall in the prison


I heard a young man calling
I overheard a young man desperately calling


Nothing matters Mary when your free
Mary, nothing holds importance when you are liberated


Against the Famine and the Crown
In opposition to the famine and the ruling monarchy


I rebelled they cut me down
I revolted, and they violently ended my life


Now you must raise our child in dignity.
Now, it is your duty to bring up our child with honor


By a lonely harbour wall
Next to a desolate wall at the harbor


She watched the last star falling
She observed the final star descending


As that prison ship sailed out against the sky
While the prison ship sailed away against the backdrop of the sky


Sure she'll wait and hope and pray
Certainly, she will patiently await, hold onto hope, and earnestly pray


For her love in Botany Bay
For her beloved who was sent to Botany Bay (a penal colony)


It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Athenry.
It is exceedingly desolate in the vicinity of Athenry's fields




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Mooney Peter Henry

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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