Yes, but how low?

Subject: Yes, but how low?
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 01:48 PM

I refer of course to the town of Athenry, and its fields in particular.

Some American semi-pro 'Celtic' musicians I know told me how they'd made a special detour to Athenry on a recent Irish pilgrimage. Once they'd found the right place they stopped and asked a local if he could direct them to the fields of Athenry. "Sure - they're up there," he replied, pointing to the top of a hill that loomed above the town.

Excluding the hypothesis of major geomorphic upheavals since the song was written, should we conclude that

a) the fields of Athenry actually lie fairly high
or
b) the guy was having a bit of fun with the tourists?

Subject: RE: Yes, but how low?
From: Howard Jones
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 02:10 PM

Sounds to me like they were asking for it!

Subject: RE: Yes, but how low?
From: Don Firth
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 02:18 PM

At the risk of being accused of attempting to be serious, could it possibly be a metaphor for the state of things during the Famine?

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Yes, but how low?
From: Mr Red
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 02:28 PM

Is Pete St John still with us? Could he be asked?

Subject: RE: Yes, but how low?
From: the button
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 03:40 PM

Clearly what's happened is that the song has lost its punctuation as part of the process of oral transmission.

The original was "Low? Lie! The fields of Athenry."

Subject: RE: Yes, but how low?
From: Bernard
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 04:25 PM

Pete St. John...

Subject: RE: Yes, but how low?
From: GUEST,cStu
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 04:29 PM

Hi! Lilly! How Low?

Subject: RE: Yes, but how low?
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Jun 08 - 11:35 PM

If you look in the Archives for January, 2003 on Pete's website, you will find information on the song, including the following:

The Athenry in question is Athenry in Galway and if you do happen to get the chance to visit, you will notice the 'Low lying fields' as you approach this beautiful town.


All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Yes, but how low?
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 09 Jun 08 - 10:11 AM

Reminds me of Flanders and Swann, who pointed out the the rain in Spain falls almost invariably in the hills.

Dan

Subject: RE: Yes, but how low?
From: GUEST,Trevek
Date: 09 Jun 08 - 10:44 AM

Presumably the low fields are lying at the bottom of the high lying ones.

Subject: RE: Yes, but how low?
From: Banjiman
Date: 09 Jun 08 - 10:44 AM

I found this thread next to the piano tuning thread.....I thought they were related.

Paul

Subject: RE: Yes, but how low?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 10 Jun 08 - 10:32 AM

Behold, an aerial photo of Athenry, County Galway, Ireland. Note the abundance of fields.

http://www.athenry.net/aerialphoto.html