Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?

Subject: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 12:10 PM

Hi all

A good friend of mine spent a couple nights in Dublin recently and was surprised that it appears that the way "Fields of Athenry" is commonly performed is as an up-beat sing-a-long almost like "Wild Rover" with even comments yelled from the audience during the chorus and such. He heard the song performed this way in at least 3 different pubs.

This confused him to some extent. We're used to it being performed fairly solemnly as typically befits a sad song. He and I are all in favor of interpretations of songs, but this was quite surprising.

Has anyone else experienced this?

pax yall

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: UB Ed
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 12:14 PM

Yeah, I've heard it twice with an upbeat; no yelling though (What could one possibly yell?). Maybe that's what folks were referring to on a previous thread (Been adpoted by some football team?).

I think I favor the traditional, slower version.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 12:15 PM

Omigod! Now I am hearing this in my head as a bluegrass tune! (Mindcreep, not thread creep!)

I am more accustomed to hearing things that are usually done upbeat, slowed down for a new mood.

Oh dear. Now I am hearing Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior done as a mountain wail.

~S~

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 12:17 PM

I just got an image of me beloved Pogues singing it!

FAR! LIE! THE FIELDS OF ATHENRY!

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 12:18 PM

I can't remember what my friend said they were saying - It was after the thing about the birds flying - they audience yell something to the effect of "Fly birds, fly!"

It's odd to me because there are plenty of upbeat songs to sing.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: UB Ed
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 12:18 PM

Previous Thread

Susan, you may want to lie down a bit...

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 12:32 PM

It's 'Hey Baby, watch the free birds fly'

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 12:39 PM

UB Ed, too late!

O, Dem Golden Slippers (and I Come to the Garden Alone)-- as lovely, slow fiddle waltzes! (Golden Slippers has a nice little yodeling part now too! O (dee-lo) Dem Gol-den Slippers...) So in my head they are dancing in a heavenly garden and they are ALL wearing their golden slippers... it's very pretty! (THAT's the dance band I wanna be in!)

I prayed for this ability, but now-- uh oh!

Seriously, I am pretty talented in the area of rhythm, but I am also talented in the area of absorbing soungs as I have heard them... mimic ability, down to the twangs and tricks various singers are prone to. These abilities clashed whenever I tried to re-fashion a song to another rhythmic style. Now the walls between these two abilities have fallen down, and maybe I DO need to lie down!

It will be interesting to see what happens at our Saturday Night Service this week...

Thanks, I think!

("Preacher and the Bear" as a slow, prayerful blues piece... very funny!)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 12:58 PM

I ought to point out that The Fields of Athenry is a regular 'anthem' type song in Dublin and so it gets this anthem-type treatment. I've heard the song far too many times myself, I don't care how they do it as long as they get it over with quickly. It's a shame that this happens to songs like the Wild Rover, which might have been a good song once. Even Streets of London (one of the finest-crafted songs written) can jar after the first five hundred times you hear it.

Susan - doing familiar musical stuff in an unfamiliar way can be great fun. I remember the time we took St Anne's Reel and played it as a waltz, jig, cha-cha, tango...

Les

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 01:14 PM

Well, then you get people like me. I've never heard Streets of London performed (I sing it, but learned it from a MIDI). I know the words to Wild Rover, but I've never actually heard it. I don't even know how the tune goes.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 02:08 PM

Good Lord Matt,

You don't get out much do you? (just joking - is there any Irish music available where you live? - Pick up a Clancy Brother's Album or two. Wild Rover has to be in the Irish Top 40.)

And I agree to some extent about the ruination of some of the fun songs. I still don't get the "Rise up yer klit" yell in Wild Rover. I thought it was fine with the clapping. I'm guess I don't know what humorous kilts need to be doing in the song - especially a bitter-sweet song like Wild Rover.

On the other side - I love the version of "Wild Colonial Boy that'd I heard years ago to a Reggae rhythm, with the first line: "There was a wild Rastafarian boy . . ."

pax yall

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 02:15 PM

I sang a song in a singaround last year, which I'd never heard sung. I picked up the words/music in the local music library. Someone told me later that it's more usually sung at a fast lick. Shan't change my version, as it went down well, anyway.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: sophocleese
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 02:39 PM

Blackcatter, I think "up your klit!" is a wonderful thing to yell in Wild Rover and one day I may have the nerve to do so. Until then I'll probably be boring and simply yell, "Up your Kilt!"

Sophocleese, sniggering quietly to herself.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Matt_R
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 02:39 PM

Irish music? HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!

I have 2 Clancys albums, with well over 50 songs on them...no Wild Rover.

When I read what you wrote that the yell was, I almost died laughing! (read it again!)

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Moleskin Joe
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 02:45 PM

It's not "rise" up your kilt. It's "right" up. Good Luck, Ian M.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 05:32 PM

oops.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 05:42 PM

Gee, ya know,

I think that my inadvertant mdification is kinda nice. - Removes the whole Scot/Irish mixture.

I've got Wild Rover on 9 different albums, including:

Clancy Bros. & Tommy Makem - Reunion
Clancy Bros. & Tommy Makem - Greatest Irish Hits
Clancy Bros. & Robbie O'Connell - Tunes & Tales of Ireland
Clancy Bros. & Louis Killen - Live on St. Patrick's Day
The Tommy Makem Songbag
Dubliners - Wild Rover

Not that it's a big deal, but has anyone else heard the upbeat version of Athenry?

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Paddy(1)
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 07:21 PM

Don't know what version you are referring to but one Brush Sheilds does a rock version of F o A which is interesting.
I think it is on a recording somewhere . . . .

Paddy(1)

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: vindelis
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 08:12 PM

If you go to Clifden, Connemara, you will certainly hear a more up-tempo version of F o A. I suppose it is more 'Country'; as opposed to the slower 'Folk' versions, that 'traditionalists' are used to. - But then how slow is 'slow'?

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: alison
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 09:06 PM

and then there is the techno version that they play in the clubs....... which I now own...... brilliant after you get over the shock!!!! lol

a dance floor full of people singing the fields of athenry and pogo-ing is a bit bizarre.....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Wotcha
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 11:22 PM

It is very tempting to yell, after the line "I heard a young girl calling" .... MICHAEL !!!! ... After a few pints down the pub ... who wouldn't ...?
Cheers,
Brian

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Robo
Date: 19 Apr 01 - 12:14 AM

I was in Clifden last year, as a matter of fact, and only heard the traditional version. And WYSI, based on other messages here, I must say bluegrass is hardly the worst fate "Fields" could suffer. The songs not meant to be uptempo no matter what game you're playing.

Rob-o

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: UB Ed
Date: 19 Apr 01 - 08:13 AM

So basically folks are taking a Rocky Horror Picture Show approach to Athenry. I'd love to hear the techno version, Alison.

I guess the crowd could throw corn, water (bay), chains (crown), confetti stars....

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: death by whisky
Date: 19 Apr 01 - 03:32 PM

I play it up tempo (yes im back at trad and ballad),for the younger audience,slower for the more mature audience.Its been adopted as an anthem for the Munster rugby team.Im not sure what the responses are.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 19 Apr 01 - 04:46 PM

Yea Gods! A rugby anthem! Couldn't they pick something more appropriate - say "Bloody Well Dead?"

pax yall

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: chessell
Date: 19 Apr 01 - 07:26 PM

No Use for a Name does an upbeat punk version of the Fields of Athenry. It starts off slow but then the elctric guitar and drumkit come in....

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Matt_R
Date: 19 Apr 01 - 07:28 PM

Three lions on a shirt
Jules Rimet still gleaming
Thirty years of hurt
Never stopped me dreaming...

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Hillheader
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 02:25 AM

I heard FoA sung upbeat over two years ago in Tenerife and it was great.

Perhaps the origins of the faster version stem from us Glasgow Celtic (soccer)fans who have this as an anthem. Getting 60000 people (and yes there are that many of us at each game!!) to sing slow is impossible so the pace picks up.

They play the slow version (by Paddy Reilly) over the sound system before each game and last week even had the Irish Tenors perform is live.

Regards

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,GUEST,Jer
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 11:12 AM

Brush Sheilds has an album out with 12 or 13 songs sung in this upbeat fashon. The songs include Molly Malone, Wild Rover, F o A, The Tractor Song, Dirty old Town etc. I shall get the name of it and post it up asap.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 11:32 AM

Fields of Athenry is also the anthem of London Irish Rugby team. Personally I think its the least Irish sounding Irish song I've ever come across!!!

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: An Pluiméir Ceolmhar
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 12:36 PM

Its football connection started with Glasgow Celtic supporters, who tend to be of a, ummm, Catholic/Irish nationalist disposition.

I'd say it's the combination of football terrace idiom and victimhood fatigue that led to the more upbeat versions.

But I would have thought it would go even better in a reggae rhythm.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,celtaddict
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 07:17 PM

In New York/New Jersey one sometimes hears Fields of Athenry sung in the usual (for U.S.) somber way with an addition, in the chorus: the line, "Where once we watched the small free birds fly..." is followed by audience members chanting "Go, baby, let the free birds fly!" without the singer changing his tempo.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 09:23 PM

My god,

New info on a question nearly two years after the question was asked.

Thanks!

Blackcatter

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,GerMan
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 04:21 AM

Bored of Fields of Athenry? Try these alternative lyrics:

Remember our Fathers brave & bold
As they fought for Ulster's cause
In far off lands
And my Father said to me
You must join the YCV
With a rifle or a pistol in my hand

Lyrics from the other side of the fence!

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: kendall
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 05:43 AM

I like bluegrass, but, I hate it when they do MAKE ME A PALLET by driving the piss out of it.
Same with East Virginia.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: MC Fat
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 07:17 AM

There's a Midlands based band in England called 'Meet on the Ledge' who do an upbeat version with lots of tom toms on the drums. Still doesn't make the song any betterer

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,GerMan
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 09:17 AM

Meet on the Ledge are playing at this year's Cropredy Festival. I was looking forward to seeing them but now I know that they do rebel songs I'm not so keen.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: MC Fat
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 09:25 AM

They don't just do rebel songs in fact that's probably the only one. They do some of their own and their 'interpretations' of other stuff. For instance they do a version of 'Ranzo me boys' which is all brash loud and fast and sort of misses the point but they are quite reasonable to listen to.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 01:00 PM

Funny,

I never really thought of Athenry as a Rebel song. A song of protest - of starvation and lost hope, but not a lets "fight for our rights" kind of song.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Brakn
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 01:50 PM

A rebel song? No.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 06:24 PM

I have heard it done very well as a RAP by a musician friend who told the audience that he was was fed up doing the normal version at every wake, wedding and christening he played at. Some songs get done to death. I'm sure a change now and again does them good. Why should FoA be any different from any other song and not be re-arranged to suit the audience.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: UB Ed
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 11:29 AM

rap?

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: kendall
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 12:19 PM

If you have no real feel for the song, it doesn't matter what you do to it. Sorta reminds you of rape, eh?

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: UB Ed
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 12:56 PM

Except without the "e"

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Stevo
Date: 19 Jun 03 - 10:58 PM

You can all find a very loud and rousing version on the Irish themed punk band Dropkick Murphy's newest album "blackout"

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Schantieman
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 04:30 AM

Oh, no! Not "The Fields of Athenry"!
I've heard that song so much it makes me cry.
I hate that bloody thing -
There are far better songs to sing.
I've had it with "The Fields of Athenry"!

S

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: NoMattch
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 03:50 PM

There's a Glasgow Celtic band called Athenry that do a decent upbeat version. The audience parcipitation where I am call out..

"Hey, baby. Let the free birds fly."
Our love...
"Sinn Fein"
There were dreams...
"I.R.A."
It's so lonely...

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: UB Ed
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 04:09 PM

Oh.

That versions' not allowed in our pub, NoMattch.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Songster Bob
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 04:19 PM

Two words:



FREE BIRD!



Bob

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Y Star
Date: 20 Jun 03 - 05:40 PM

OK. To contribute further... I heard the 'upbeat' version of 'Fields' at the Bog in Auckland NZ a few months ago, sung by a man called Owen (I think) who works there, I think the chanted bits were 'baby baby watch the free birds fly'/'shoot (or much worse) the Queen'/'IRA'. I laughed muchly as I too had only heard the downbeat/serious version before. Although I probably shouldn't have laughed... anyway, the 'up-yer-kilt' thing in 'Wild Rover', I've also heard one lady say (in purposefully affected 'haughty' tone of voice) 'right up your skirt'.

Meanwhile... I shall leave you with this quote (or paraphrase) from an early 90s Aussie skit show on TV...

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am I'll come running to see you again - (woman's offstage voice) 'JAMES!!' - (singer) 'not now' -
Winter Spring Summer or Fall, all you've got to do is call - 'JAMES...' - 'shut up!!' -
And I'll be there, yes I will, you've got a friend - 'JAMES!!!!' - 'will you SHUT UP while I'm trying to sing the bloody song...'

Y :)

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" !!!!!

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Teribus
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 02:15 PM

GUEST,[e-mail] - from way back in 30 Mar 04 - 10:49:

"I have only heard this song once."

YOU, LUCKY, LUCKY BASTARD

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: growler
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 04:12 PM

I hate the bloody thing, but when I play it, everyone seems to enjoy it. Is'nt it what it's all about?

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 09:31 PM

FWIW - as a singer of Celtic folk songs I perform at a good number of pubs and a fair number of festivals around the country. I recently sang "Fields Of Athenry" at a Dallas pub and one of the town's Celtic
purveyors of pub tradition took me aside and said he loved it. I sing it at a tempo somewhere between the Byrds versions of
"Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn,Turn,Turn" - with a slightly punchy folk-rock feel. Good luck.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,me
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 07:44 PM

What is shouted is "hey baby let the free bird fly" and then they sing "our love was on the way" and you scream "Shin fein"...then they say "we had dreams and songs to sing" and you scream "IRA"

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 08:14 PM

Jeeze! Have yous never cheered at a really good funeral?

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: oldhippie
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 09:57 PM

The Dropkick Murphys version is complete with bagpipes; as is their Amazing Grace. Amazing Grace won them an award a few years ago for best adaptation of a traditional tune.
Another band that does uptempo versions of folk is The Real McKenzies.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 10:24 PM

Okay, I live pretty far from the road - does this "hey baby let the free bird fly" mean something that renders it hilarious after you've had a dozen stout, or what?

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Scrump
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 04:33 AM

We practiced this last night, as we're always getting requests for it and with St Patrick's Day coming up we thought we'd better be ready
:-)

But I hadn't thought of doing an upbeat version. (It reminds me of last Saturday night at a pub gig, I misunderstood the leader's instructions and started playing chords at a fairly fast speed. The fiddlers then joined in and I realised my mistake and started playing the right chords for the tune but at the same speed (luckily the tune I'd thought we were playing and the one we ended up playing were in the same key!), which was a lot faster than we normally play that particular tune. The fiddlers just played to keep up with me, and we all had a laugh and enjoyed it, and so did the audience. Sometimes a mistake like that can turn into something good!)

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 06:52 AM

Dear "Guest, Me"---May I say (it"s a free country, just ) how much I would like to see you and your friends doing your version, complete with "Sinn Fein " and " IRA " responses, in front of an audience comprised of members of English cavalry regiments, and Royal Marine bandsmen,with a few relatives of Lord Mountbatten thrown in ?? I feel sure that the resulting carnage would be most gratifying !! Or you might just be asked to leave, as we do not hold, in our hearts,the same twisted,blind hatred for the Irish, that some Irish have for the English ( who are mostly all from other countries now,anyway )

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 08:24 AM

Up Beat or Dirged , I would rather sing Malcolm Austen's rewrite ! A LOT more fun !

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 09:40 AM

It's the usual mudcat thing. Getting hot and bothered about the "inner meaning" et al. Sure, it was written during the recent "troubles" and was meant a a serious comment on one aspect of british repression, i.e. transportation to Van Diemans Land for minor offences, back in the 1800's. Presumably, the author, Pete St. John recorded it but the it became a "hit" when recorded by Paddy Reilly. For the information of Mudcatters worldwide most Irish people have outgrown the resentment of the brits and the song has become a rabble rouser rather than a rebel rouser.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,chloe
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 07:16 PM

but who actually plays the upbeat 1,
i've heard it before but when i've come to search for it all i find is some techno club music crap. if anyone knows, let me know please.
x x x

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Mar 07 - 12:26 PM

The Century Steel Band did a version. I googled "steel band fields athenry" and there are a number of articles there naming those who recorded the song.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Lauren
Date: 02 May 07 - 02:33 PM

I know what they scream.. After 'Where once I watched the small free birds fly' the crowd screams ' LET THEM FLY LET THEM FREE BIRDS FLY!!!'

was athenry really sang upbeat in Dublin?

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Sharon Carl
Date: 15 Feb 08 - 10:43 PM

I just listened to David Og play this on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiIkRz_aP8M&feature=related

I'm sure this is what everyone is talking about. The song is sung with a strong background beat, but I wouldn't call it 'upbeat'. I think the intent is to bring out the protest aspect of the song. Trevelyan was responsible for the genocide of 1,300,000 men women and children during the Irish famine.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Stewie
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 06:05 AM

Here's a clip of Paddy Reilly performing it:

CLICK.

I reckon it still stands up very well indeed.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Nick
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 07:25 AM

Not sure you'll approve of this so don't listen if you like a nice slow acoustic version. This is a very poor recording from an early practice with a band that almost got formed. It's rather more upbeat than some of the versions mentioned on this thread.

Is it in keeping with the song? Is it 'right' to do it this way? Who knows, but I did enjoy playing it :)

Athenrye

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,LOR
Date: 26 Oct 11 - 06:41 AM

WOW that thread was kept up for 7 years and now here i come Three years later WOW

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 26 Oct 11 - 07:52 AM

Yeah but why ?

Dave H

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: GUEST,Quiet Rover
Date: 18 Nov 11 - 10:03 AM

And GuestL'or hasn't the decency to answer you Dave?
So many years later, why? I heard the 'upbeat version' - funny as hell to read that 10 years from the thread-start - and the audience was calling back something different/new. I think it must be a local callback since I find nothing new here. Great as a ballad or dance or rebel piece. FoA is always a great tune, played often round here at festivals and pubs, but best after the 4th pint or 'the 7th glass.'

Subject: RE: Fields of Athenry - performed upbeat?
From: Darowyn
Date: 19 Nov 11 - 03:43 AM

Note to self:-
In the unlikely event that I find myself performing "Fields of Athenry", at the relevant point, I must go into a four minute (at least) electric guitar solo from "Free Bird".
I regularly do "Dirty Old Town" as a Reggae with my rock band - and I sing the correct 'Salford wind' too!
We also do "House of the Rising Sun" with The Animals' arrangement but the original feminine lyric.
In my solo days I used to sing "House Carpenter" to a mighty blues beat.
It's a Rock Band- we're wild, Man! We don't care what folk purists think (if such beings exist in the real world), because none of them come to our gigs anyway.
Cheers
Dave