Origins: For what died the sons of róisín/roisin

Subject: RE: Origins: For what died the sons of róisín/roisin
From: Effsee
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 09:58 PM

This day was a very dark one 47 years ago as well! 22/11/63

Subject: RE: Origins: For what died the sons of róisín/roisin
From: GUEST,Helen R.
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 07:18 PM

The Lyrics are smashing and have such a poignant resonance today .. 22Nov 2010 (a very dark hour in Eire).. Luke K. was certainly a prophet of his time, I love the way he shows his distaste and anger, so clear and indignant.

Subject: RE: Origins: For what died the sons of róisín/roisin
From: GUEST,GUESTJanet
Date: 13 Nov 10 - 12:14 PM

The correct lyric is "Her YOUTH to dance and make her valleys ring," not "Her used to dance....."

Subject: RE: Origins: For what died the sons of róisín/roisin
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 03:38 PM

For a minute I thought Liam had written both - but I'm sure McDonnell (author of Songs of Protest) is right.

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: For what died the sons of róisín/rois
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 03:29 PM

According to the reprint of Songs Of Struggle and Protest, two further songs were included: Dark Horse on the Wind written by Liam Weldon and For What Died the Sons of Róisín, indeed written by Luke Kelly.

Subject: Origins: For what died the sons of róisín/roisin
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 12:31 PM

Hello,
I was wondering who wrote the poem "for what died the sons of róisín"
Was it really Luke Kelly or was it someone else? When was it written?
Thank's,
Chris

Subject: ADD: For What Died the Sons of Roisin (recitation)
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 23 Sep 00 - 08:26 PM

I'm not sure whether or not to do a lyric add for what I am told is a poem so I will put it here.

FOR WHAT DIED THE SONS OF ROISIN
(Luke Kelly)

For what died the sons of Roisin?
Was it fame?
For what died the sons of Roisin?
Was it fame?
For what flowed Ireland's blood
And rivers that began when Brian chased the Dane
And did not cease nor has not ceased
With the brave sons of 16
For what died the sons of Roisin?
Was it fame?

For what died the sons of Roisin?
Was it greed?
For what died the sons of Roisin?
Was it greed?
Was it greed that drove Wolfetone
To a martyr's (pauper's) death
In a cell of cold wet stone
Will German, French or Dutch
Inscribe the Epitaph of Emmett
When we've sold enough of Ireland
To be but strangers in it
For what died the sons of Roisin?
Was it greed?

To whom do we owe our allegiance today?
To whom do we owe our allegiance today?
To those brave men who fought and died
That Roisin live again with pride
Her sons at home to work and sing
Her used youth to dance and make her valleys ring
Or her faceless men, who for Mark and Dollar
Betray her to the highest bidder
To whom do we owe our allegiance today?

For what suffer our patriots today?
For what suffer our patriots today?
They have a (the) language problem
So they say
How to write "No Trespass"
Must grieve their hearts full sore
We got rid of one strange language
Now we're faced with many, many more
For what suffer our patriots today?

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I moved Jon's post from this thread.

Videos here and here Alternate wordings added in parentheses. Discussion below determined that author is Luke Kelly - name added above.
-Joe Offer-