Fields of Athenry

While we sang Athenry today, as Ireland picked up the Triple Crown, we were reminded that our kids had been singing that song, probably from before they knew the words to the Barney anthem.

Put it down to my dad's patience at playing and replaying the track for them on any journey they went on in his car, no matter how short or far, for the entire trip!

And so, practically from the moment she could speak at two years old, Dolly Molly was able to sing Athenry - chorus and all 3 verses - word perfect.

Her understanding left a little to be desired though, as we discovered when, everytime she got the the third line of verse two, she stopped, pronounced 'I'm going to be three at Christmas' and then continued on through the ballad!

By a lonely prison wall
I heard a young girl calling
Michael they are taking you away
For you stole Trevelyan's corn
So the young might see the morn
Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay.

Chorus
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 ran me down
Now you must raise our child with dignity.

Chorus

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.