Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 04:48 AM

F o A is a perfectly good song than can be completely ruined by the
MIStreatment thereof.When sung TOO slowly it becomes a real dirge
and if done too upbeat the melody can be lost.Personally I find the up tempo added chant version to be o load of cobblers.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: dulcimer
Date: 21 Jun 03 - 05:47 PM

I just played in one of those singing pubs in Killarney along with the scheduled performers. The audience wanted FA all night long. Finally at the end, we did it. It was played very up beat and when we got to free birds fly, the audienc yelled or chanted while the note for fly was held--GOT TO LET THOSE FREE BIRDS FLY. I was a little surprised, but what the hey--it was singing pub and many had had two or three pints over their limits.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Gwylam Bach
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 12:21 PM

I like to do F o A whilst tap dancing and accompany myself on the spoons, but I very rarely get asked.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST, Mikefule
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 03:03 PM

Fields of Athenry clearly retains some tribal significance, whether you call it a rebel song or not. Only a year or two back I read of a Glasgow Celtic supporter who was killed by a Rangers fan in a fight on match day. It was reported that the fight started when the Celtic supporter was singing F o A aggressively at the Rangers fan.

What a bizarre image, and a sad indictment of the human race. :0(

As for singing it upbeat, fair enough, but I draw the line at prefixing it with "A wop bop a lula, a bop bam boom!" And any more reference to free birds will necessitate a 12 minute 4 bar repeat guitar solo...

Sung in moderation, like many songs, F o A is lovely. It's when a song becomes 'meaningful' that it can lose its meaning, if you see what I mean. The same could be said of Streets of London, that one about purple heather, with " Will ye go, laddie go" in it, and many others.

The Wild Rover is no better or worse than a thousand other fairly trivial folk songs. Somehow, it has gained acceptance in the non folk world (i.e. among the folk!) and has become the ultimate corny song in the ghetto of folk song enthusiasts.

Finally, Right up your... what? Oooooh, Matron. ;0)   Best laugh I've found in a forum for ages. :0D

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From:
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 10:49 PM

I have only heard this song once. It was at the end of the movie Veronica Guerin. Great Movie, sad ending, sad song. Looking for the artist who sings the song in the movie but can't find who it is. Anybody know?

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 11:27 PM

Never saw the movie (or heven heard of it) - sorry.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: cloudstreet
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 03:02 AM

Great film.

The upbeat stuff reminds me of an appallingly upbeat version of "The Men Behind the Wire" I found on a compilation tape once (shudder).

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: concertina ceol
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 04:00 AM

I'm probably completely wrong but wasn't "Fields of Athenry" written in about 1976 for tourists to sing? I always assumed it was an anti English (Absent landlords) song which goes down well with the roots tracing Americans. It doesn't sound authenticaly traditional to me - too much syrup.

If it is authentic then sorry if I've offended anyone!

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 04:04 AM

concertina ceol you are nearly completely right but I thought that everybody knew that anyway

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: kendall
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 07:53 AM

Is there something upbeat about a million people being allowed to starve to death? I fail to see it.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 10:47 AM

I think most people know that it's a modern song - certainly sounds modern. Nothing wrong with that,however. Not sure what you mean about "for torists to sing," but I know it pretty popular among the Irish themselves.

Since starting this thread a while back, I've had the good fortune to discover the band Drop Kick Murphys. A punk band from Boston that does Irish non-punk music in a punk style. They cover Athenry and it's pretty good. It fast and load, of couse, but it's not performed "upbeat" the message is still there and when I sing it along with them, I still feel the same way as I do when singing it in the "original" style.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 11:22 AM

Will...

lots of detail, including some about the singer in the movie HERE .

Regards

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,brit lad
Date: 01 May 04 - 03:58 PM

Hi all

What an excellent thread, having worked in Dublin for 5 years I got to hear a lot of Irish music. I only ever heard F of A played upbeat until today. I like the upbeat version and whether you call it a rebel/anti-british or whatever song it still gets me tapping/singing along.

slainte

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: vindelis
Date: 01 May 04 - 06:58 PM

I believe it was written by Pete St John. He who wrote 'The Ferryman' and 'Rare old Times'.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Dreadnought
Date: 01 May 04 - 07:06 PM

I was once in a rock band that did a break-neck paced punked up version on the tune that we called "Fields of Peckham Rye".

Wasn't very good to be honest.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: dianavan
Date: 02 May 04 - 01:29 AM

If it doesn't bring tears to your eyes, it aint being sung the right way. Its called respect. What if people made fun of all the other sad events in history?

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 02 May 04 - 01:39 AM

Yep dianavan.

Someone who isn't stirred by the song has the heart of a grinch.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Coiglidh
Date: 07 May 04 - 07:33 AM

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: mooman
Date: 07 May 04 - 07:40 AM

Personally I much prefer it played and sung very slowly and sensitively as that to my mind suits the sentiments of the song better.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 07 May 04 - 08:55 AM

I prefer it sung so quietly that I can't hear it.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 07 May 04 - 04:57 PM

This may be one of the threads that will not die - of course I'ved doomed it with that statement.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 06:13 PM

it doesn't matter what beat is played while this song is sung....its still a beautiful song for the Irish. If ur ever in the north of ireland make sure not to sing it walking down the Shankill...lol

CHEERS
Kevin

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: TS
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 06:34 PM

I'll agree to the Link being within that of the relm of the Glasgow Celtic. I've attended afew fan club meetings and when they get drunk they sing Fields of Athenry and put in the "hey baby watch the free birds fly"......Slàinte!

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,TicMan!
Date: 27 Oct 04 - 01:38 PM

Though im not sure of the origin of the upbeat version....the hoop suporters love it!
during the course "WOHH BABY LET THE FREE BIRDS FLY" is yelled after "Where once we watched the small free birds fly"
then... after "our love was on the way" some ppl shout "Sinn Fein" and then after "we had dreams and songs to sing" others scream "I.R.A!!"
I dont know if those are the same ones you heard, but at my Celtic club those are the call back lines.
Slàinte!
Sean
Ourselves Alone!

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 27 Oct 04 - 05:05 PM

Lemme get this straight: when I hear all those rednecks shouting "Free Bird! Free Bird!" -- they're really requesting "Fields of Athenry"?

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: muppitz
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 03:35 AM

The only way to sing the Fields of Athenry is the parody!!!!

The damn thing has been done to death and even at my small age, "I'm so fed up of the fields of Athenry!"

muppitz x

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 03:50 PM

"done to death"....

Just to illustrate the vast differences between the two sides of the ocean:

I live in the US, enjoy Irish stout and whiskey, enjoy hanging out (when I can afford it) at Irish-themed local pubs that feature live music, and to my knowledge I have *never* heard this song!

Go figure...

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 02:52 AM

let's keep it rolling - almost 4 years since the original post!

i disagree with ya, poppagator- i live in the us and hear "fields of athenry" almost every time i go out- usually as a mid-tempo ballad with loud audience shoutback if you are in the right pubs (boston, san diego, denver, san francisco, seattle - they play this everywhere i've been). we shout sinn fein and ira in the pubs that let us - we get in fights in the pubs that don't ;-)

if your pub is merely "irish-themed" that may be your problem. you want "irish-owned"...

Subject: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Lisa F.
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 06:17 AM

Fields of Athenry sung by the crowd yesterday in Lansdowne Road during rugby match Ireland - England !

Lisa in France

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Mar 05 - 11:14 AM

This thread does bring up a point. Does it bother anyone else when someone does a song arrangement that is completely inconsistent with the lyrics? There is a performer who shall remain nameless that drives me crazy. He does this song, as well as Hard Times, with a drum machine, synth'ed chorus, and at what approaches a disco beat. I have no prob with parodies, but when one is presenting the song and doesn't seem to hear the words s/he is singing, it makes me crazy. I like this person, but I rarely go see him/her anymore. It is like the message in the music is secondary.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From:
Date: 03 Mar 05 - 04:47 PM

I just came on here by accident, doing some research on the development of the song for a Uni class, and am blown away by the intensity of responses on here. Very cool you guys feel as strongly as you do, and thanks for the insight. Be aware, I'll most likely quote a number of you in my presentation! Thanks for the help!

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Rastaman
Date: 04 Mar 05 - 04:25 PM

Have seen the Phatt-B'Stards do this as a 'punk' song with the first verse sung as a ballad with pretty harmonies then into the chorus a la Sex Pistols.

The line "Where once we watched the small free birds fly" is followed by a punch in the air and the yell "Yeah baby! See the free birds fly"

Accompanied by 'po-going' ha'king (noisy throat clearing) and mock-gobbing, it certainly gets a pub crowd joining in.

Obviously less popular in the genuine Irish Society Clubs where they like 'real' Irish music by Daniel O'Doggerel

Not seen Juan P-B on here for a while! Has he retired ???

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: poet
Date: 04 Mar 05 - 08:19 PM

god how ignorant are you lot
the song was written in 50s or sixties I cant rememember which by a young Irishman called "something "Sands" who went on hunger strike in Dartmoor Prison and "Died for the Cause".
I do not rememeber his first name and I dont agree with his cause,
but he wrote a beautiful song that carries a message of mans inhumanity to man over the last couple of hundred years not just the Irish but man in general. I sing it slow but I have heard most versions and it has been done to death but I still enjoy hearing it however it is performed. but for someone too call it trivial (Mikefule) shows a lack of understanding of history and how much soul some one puts into their music. and not only that it pisses me off.

Graham (Guernsey)

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Brakn
Date: 04 Mar 05 - 08:42 PM

"god how ignorant are you lot"

poet,
you got the wrong year and wrong author.

Also Bobby Sands, who has got nothing to do with this song, didn't die in Dartmoor.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Pauline L
Date: 05 Mar 05 - 12:36 AM

Big Mick, I thought of another song with an upbeat, cheery tune and words of impounding doom: Bad Moon Rising.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,caliboy
Date: 05 Mar 05 - 11:33 PM

i must say that the best version of F oA i have heard was on Dropkick Murphy's album Blackout. They also have a live St. Patty's Day in Boston album with a stirring rendition of Amazing Grace.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 03:43 PM

Fast or slow as long as it gets to you then it is good. I usually try most slow pieces played fast just for a change and sometimes they seem better.

Next time you want to shout out IRA in your nice bar in Boston, why not shout Al Qaeda or FARC and see how the friends and relatives of the dead approeciate it.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Pudu
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 08:20 AM

The Dropkick Murphy's Version is amazing - seing it performed live is quite an occasion too with the audience joining in for quite a few parts.

A changed version of the song has also become very popular at Liverpool FC games with the crowd singing 'The Fields of Anfield Road' more than once a match.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Ginna
Date: 11 May 05 - 09:57 PM

Dropkick Murphys Very Good.

There is also a very fast version by a band called no se for a name, not my liking but still.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Ginna
Date: 11 May 05 - 09:58 PM

And Lagwagin do Bad Moon Rising

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 11 May 05 - 10:08 PM

Hi all.

I started this thread low many years ago and am impressed it keeps being revived.

I'm now a big fan of the Dropkick Murphy's and love their version. But still I wouldn't call it "upbeat" Not like what I heard in other places.

Thanks all for the conversation!

Keep it going!

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Cattail (no cookie)
Date: 12 May 05 - 03:05 PM

Hi all.

As Paddy(1) and Jer up above mentioned, this was done by Brush Shiels on his CD "Fields of Athenry" on the Chart label. No: CHCD018.
He credits Pete St John as the composer.

Most of the other tracks on this album are given the same up-tempo
treatment and come out of it quite well,IMHO.
They are worth a listen at least.

The tracks are:-

01. Dirty old town
02. Fields of Athenry
03. Celtic rock
04. Dublin City girls
05. Touch the earth
06. Rocky road to Dublin
07. Whisky in the jar
08. Molly Malone
09. Spanish lady
10. Danny boy

Hope this helps

Cheers

Cattail !

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,galego galician
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 07:12 PM

yeaaaaaaaah

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,ocujimmy
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 07:57 PM

Wherever I go I always find people asking me to sing this song and the people asking allways are asking for it to be sung in it's original format because they undesstand the real meaning of the song, the way the composer Pete ST John mean't it to be sung.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Boris Johnson
Date: 15 Oct 05 - 02:47 AM

I don't think he was a real saint or he would be dead.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,West, Carol
Date: 15 Oct 05 - 02:56 AM

Is that you Boris?

CW

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 Oct 05 - 07:19 PM

Boris

Real St.? - he isn't even a real John!

Regards

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Mike Molloy
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 05:05 PM

Is this the longest running thread in history?

'Long lie the threads of Athenry'

One of the best places to hear this is in 'Irish Times' Los Cristianos, Tenerife. Performed by Celtic Con-Fusion, Derek and Jerry.(especially after a few pints of Murphy's Red)

If anyone is going there soon take the lads some Barry's Tea. I'm not due there until Novemeber and I hear they have withdrawal sypmtoms.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 05:27 PM

Oh The Threads That Never Die !!

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 05:28 PM

Had to add to it just for "The 1oo th" !!!!!