In an earlier thread on Pete St. John's "Fields of Athenry", I mentioned that there was another song about the area - in a much more traditional style. As far as I know, it was written about thirty years ago - I have the author's name at home and will add it later. It's sung to the ubiquitous "Star of the County Down" - but slowly and liltingly.

I think its one of the nicest laments for lost youth that I've heard. Here's a few verses from a version recorded by the fine Kerry singer, Tim Dennehy:


DOWN BY THE CLARIN'S MOSSY BANKS

Down by the Clarin's mossy banks, one evening I did stray,
To while away the leisure hours, before the close of day.
My mind began to wander to the days long, long gone by
When I roamed as free as the Gaoth na Sí o'er the fields of Athenry.

It was often with our dogs and sticks, just at the break of day,
Barefooted over the dew-clad grass how carelessly we did stray,
To hunt the rabbit and course the hare, 'til the moon rose in the sky.
Oh they were the happy days we spent 'round the fields of Athenry.

And we had some famous hunting dogs – I'll mention but a few.
There was Speed and Spot and Rebel brave; we had noble Murty too.
But Bruno was the king of all, as over the sod he'd fly,
And 'twas woe betide the hare that strayed 'round the fields of Athenry.

All through the long hot summer days, through those green fields we strayed,
While a youthful blood coursed in our veins and death seemed far away.
Sure we thought we were immortal and 'twas just the old that die,
But now there's few of the friends I knew, round the fields of Athenry.

Ah but now I'm old and my head is grey and I'm bowed with the weight of years.
When I think about those happy times, sure my eyes grow dim with tears.
But still I love to ramble where the trout rise to the fly,
Down by the Clarin's mossy banks that flows through Athenry.

And soon the Lord will come for me and my final peace be made
On that hallowed hill above the town – 'tis there I will be laid
And when the final judgement comes with its fanfare from the sky
I will rise and then I will hunt again – 'round the fields of Athenry^^


Note: "Gaoth na Sí" means "fairy wind". Pronounced roughly gway-na-shee, with that middle syllable short and unstressed.

Regards