The Kilkennys are a 4-piece traditional Irish ballad group, who have been e… Read Full Bio ↴The Kilkennys are a 4-piece traditional Irish ballad group, who have been entertaining audiences all over the country, and internationally for the past ten years, with their unique and accomplished style of playing and vocal talent. Known as one of the hardest working bands in Ireland, they perform the length and breath of the country up to five nights a week. Up to now, they have been performing as Uisce Beatha, but due to various crucial reasons and the fact that a few bands with the same name have sprung up around the world, the decision was taken to change the name to The Kilkennys, as the boys are very proud of their black and amber roots! This name change coincided with the band signing up to Dolphin Records, the record company of such Irish music legends as Mary and Frances Black, Liam Clancy, Dolores Keane, Ronnie Drew, Jack L and Sonny Knowles. The band was originally formed by Dave Cashin, Adam Cashin and Tommy Mackey, while at school in St. Kierans College in Kilkenny. Robbie Campion would later come on board to complete the bands unique vocal and musical sound. The Kilkennys have shared the stage with some of the country's most prominent folk icons, including Shane McGowan, Finbarr Furey and the late Ronnie Drew. They have also toured Scotland, Germany and the US on a number of occasions to great acclaim. Now with the forthcoming release of their debut album and live DVD, audiences will be enthralled by the energy, passion and musical talents of The Kilkennys.

Members:
DAVID CASHIN: Vocals, Mandolin, Banjo, Whistles. ADAM CASHIN: Vocals, Bodhran and Percussion. ROBBIE CAMPION: Vocals, Guitar and Banjo. TOMMY MACKEY: Vocals, Bass Guitar

Back home in Derry
The Kilkennys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Back Home in Derry In 1803 we sailed out to sea
Out from the sweet town of Derry
For Australia bound if we didn't all drown
And the marks of our fetters we carried

In the rusty iron chains we cried for our wains
Our good women we left in sorrow
As the mainsails unfurled our curses we hurled

On the English and thoughts of tomorrow

At the mouth of the Foyle bade farewell to the soil as down below decks we were lyin'
O'Doherty screamed woken out of a dream by a vision of bold Robert dyin'.
The sun burnt cruel as we dished out the gruel, Dan O'Connor was down with a fever.
Sixty rebels today bound for Botany Bay, how many will reach their receiver?

I wish I was back home in Derry
I wish I was back home in Derry

I cursed them to hell as our bow fought the swell
Our ship danced like a moth in the firelight
White horses rode high as the devil passed by
Taking souls to Hades by twilight

Five weeks out to sea we were now forty-three
We buried our comrades each morning
In our own slime we were lost in the time
Endless night without dawning

I wish I was back home in Derry
I wish I was back home in Derry

Van Dieman's land is a hell for a man
To live out his whole life in slavery
Where the climate is raw and the gun makes the law
Neither wind nor rain cares for bravery

Twenty years have gone by and I've ended my bond
My comrades' ghosts walk behind me
A rebel I came, I'm still the same
On the cold winds of night you will find me

I wish I was back home in Derry
I wish I was back home in Derry

I wish I was back home in Derry
I wish I was back home in Derry

Overall Meaning

"Back Home in Derry" is a traditional Irish folk song that tells the story of a group of Irish rebels who were sentenced to transportation to Australia in 1803. The song vividly describes the conditions on board the ship during the journey, including the use of iron chains to restrain the prisoners and the harsh treatment by the English guards. The lyrics express the rebels' longing for their homes in Derry and their resentment towards their oppressors.

The first verse sets the scene for the journey, with the rebels leaving Derry for Australia while carrying the marks of their fetters (chains). The second verse describes the rebels' anger and sadness at leaving their families behind, as well as their curses towards the English. The third verse details the harsh conditions on board the ship, including illness and death, and the rebels' longing for their homes. The fourth and final verse describes the rebels' arrival in Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania), where they lived in slavery under harsh conditions.

The song's lyrics are based on the true story of the Irish rebellion of 1798 and the transportation of Irish political prisoners to Australia in the early 19th century. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Christy Moore, Planxty, and The High Kings. "Back Home in Derry" is a powerful and emotional song that reflects the deep pain and suffering experienced by the Irish people under English rule.

Line by Line Meaning

In 1803 we sailed out to sea
In the year of 1803, we embarked on a journey by sea

Out from the sweet town of Derry
Departing from the beautiful town of Derry

For Australia bound if we didn't all drown
We were headed to Australia, hoping not to perish in the sea

And the marks of our fetters we carried
We were branded by the chains that bound us

In the rusty iron chains we cried for our wains
We wept for our children while chained in the rusty iron

Our good women we left in sorrow
We left our beloved wives behind, causing them immense grief

As the mainsails unfurled our curses we hurled
With the unfurling of the mainsails, we began to curse and swear

On the English and thoughts of tomorrow
Our anger was directed towards the English, and our thoughts focused on the future

At the mouth of the Foyle bade farewell to the soil as down below decks we were lyin'
As we approached the mouth of the Foyle, we said goodbye to the land while lying below deck

O'Doherty screamed woken out of a dream by a vision of bold Robert dyin'
O'Doherty screamed, having been woken by a dream featuring the death of bold Robert

The sun burnt cruel as we dished out the gruel, Dan O'Connor was down with a fever
The sun was painfully scorching as we served gruel, and Dan O'Connor was suffering from a fever

Sixty rebels today bound for Botany Bay, how many will reach their receiver?
Sixty rebels were being sent to Botany Bay that day, but how many would actually make it there?

I wish I was back home in Derry
I long to return to my hometown of Derry

I cursed them to hell as our bow fought the swell
I cursed our oppressors fiercely as our boat struggled against the rough waves

Our ship danced like a moth in the firelight
Our vessel swayed and moved like a moth in the light of a fire

White horses rode high as the devil passed by
Foamy white waves rose as the devil seemed to pass by

Taking souls to Hades by twilight
The devil seemed to be taking souls to the underworld at twilight

Five weeks out to sea we were now forty-three
After being at sea for five weeks, our group was down to forty-three members

We buried our comrades each morning
Every morning, we had to bury one or more of our fellow rebels

In our own slime we were lost in the time
We were trapped in our own filth and felt trapped in time

Endless night without dawning
The night seemed to go on forever, with no sign of daybreak

Van Dieman's land is a hell for a man
Van Dieman's land is a hellish place to live for a man

To live out his whole life in slavery
Living out the rest of one's life in a state of bondage

Where the climate is raw and the gun makes the law
Where the weather is harsh and the only law is the gun

Neither wind nor rain cares for bravery
The harsh weather does not show mercy even to the bravest of men

Twenty years have gone by and I've ended my bond
Twenty years have passed, and I have completed my sentence

My comrades' ghosts walk behind me
The spirits of my fallen comrades seem to follow me

A rebel I came, I'm still the same
I was a rebel at the start, and I remain one to this day

On the cold winds of night you will find me
You can find me on cold, lonely nights, still fighting for what I believe in

Contributed by Dominic O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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