Fields of Athenry ; ST. JOHN Pete

As an Irishman, I am intimately familiar with this song - I've heard it at every type of sporting occasion, and even sung it on stage. Even so, I post it not so much because today is St. Patrick's Day, but to mark the loss of it's author this past weekend.
Fields of Athenry
 
By a lonely prison wall
I heard a young girl calling
Michael, 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
 
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 you're free
Against the famine and the crown
I rebelled, they cut 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
For she lived in hope and pray
For her love in Botany Bay
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry
 
Chorus
Pete ST. JOHN