This Irish folk was written by Pete St. John, and is living proof that folk tunes need not be hundreds of years old to become near and dear to the heart of a nation. This number has become quite important to the Irish in remembering their heritage. In fact, this tune has been well covered not only by folk singers, but reggae, punk, country, and even psychedelic music groups, which is significant seeing as how the song was only written in the 1970's. The most successful recording was made in 1983 by Patrick 'Paddy' Reilly, but it was originally recorded by Danny Doyle in 1979, and it has become a popular sports for Irish sports supporters and fans of the Celtic Football Club.

"Fields of " is a tune about a fictional character who is from Athenry in , Ireland, who has been convicted sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay, Australia because he stole food to feed his starving family. The song is set between 1845 and 1850, during the Great Irish Famine.

Fields of Athenry /æθənˈraɪ/ Paddy Reilly Fields Of Athenry (Les Champs D'athenry)

But a lonely prison wall, Près du mur d'une prison isolée I heard a young girl calling J'ai entendu une jeune fille appeler "Michael ils t'ont enlevé à moi Michael they have taken you away, Pour avoir volé le maïs de Trevelyn For you stole trevelyn's corn Afin que nos enfants puissent voir le jour. So the young might see the morn, Maintenant un bateau de prisonniers t'attend dans la baie" Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay (Chorus : ) (Refrain : ) Chorus : Là-bas sont les champs d'Athenry Low lie, The Fields Of Athenry Où un jour, nous regardâmes les petits oiseaux libres voler Where once we watched the small free birds fly Notre amour s'envolait bien haut Our love was on the wing Nous avions des rêves et des chansons à chanter We had dreams and to sing, Il n'y a plus que la solitude près des champs d'Athenry Its so lonely round the Fields of Athenry

By a lonely prison wall Près du mur d'une prison isolée I heard a young man calling J'ai entendu un jeune homme appeler "Rien ne m'importe, Mary, tant que tu es libre, "Nothing matters Mary when your free, Contre la Famine et la Couronne Against the Famine and the Crown Je me suis rebellé et ils m'ont abattu I rebelled they ran me down Maintenant tu dois élever notre enfant avec dignité. Now you must raise our child with dignity. "

Chorus Refrain

By a lonely harbour wall Près du mur d'un port isolé She watched the last star falling Elle a regardé la dernière étoile tomber As the prison ship sailed out against the sky Tandis que le bateau de prisonniers faisait voile vers le ciel Sure she'll live in hope and pray Sûrement, elle attendra et espérera et priera For her love in Botney Bay Pour son amour à Botany Bay Its so lonely round the Fields Of Athenry Il n'y a plus que la solitude près des champs d'Athenry

Chorus Refrain Paroliers : Tom Kochan Paroles de Fields of Athenry © Fearless Lieder