Lyr Req: The Great Fenian Ram (Wolfe Tones)

Subject: Wolfetones? Submarine song lyrics wanted
From: Jennifer Burdoo
Date: 17 Oct 98 - 09:50 PM

Heard a song on a CD recently that I can't remember the name of; I'm pretty sure it was WolfeTones but it could have been the Fureys. It concerned the builder of the first USN submarine, John Holland. The chorus went:

Some men for adventure, had planned for the stars, And others had hoped to see Venus or Mars, But you worked, and you labored, to fulfill your wild dream That you'd be the man with the first submarine.

On a related note, what other sub/U-boat related songs are there? One on the CSS Hunley would probably be interesting.

Thanks for any help.

Jennifer

Subject: RE: Wolfetones--USS Holland lyrics wanted
From:
Date: 19 Oct 98 - 08:21 PM

Yellow Submarine?

Subject: Lyr Add: THE GREAT FENIAN RAM (from Wolfe Tones)
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Oct 98 - 10:05 PM

Jennifer,

The song is by the Wolfetones and is called "The Great Fenian Ram". The lyrics are are follows:

Near the town of Liscannor in the county of Clare
Where many great Irishmans plans were laid bare
You saw the wild sea's as you stood on the heath
And wondered and gazed at the ocean beneath
Your life of religion was never to be
you soon found your way to the land of the free

Chorus:

Some men for adventure have planned for the stars
And others had hoped to see Venus or Mars
but you worked and you labored to build your wild dream
That you'd be the man with the first submarine

Now O'Donovan Rossa Bold Breslan Devoy
Knew that Holland's invention was real and no toy
For to take on the ships of the British Navy
And all would be done now from under the sea
The English protested to Old Uncle Sam
About the mischievous boat called the Great Fenian Ram
Oh he's just an inventor we've got nothing to hide
John Bull was so angry when the Yankees replied

Chorus

Neath the waves of the ocean this craft was at home
And the Fenians had plans for this boat for to roam
In the Passaic River, your friends were amazed
As your ship moved so silent neath the rivers and waves
An attack on the Empire was prevented by spies
And the cause was all crushed mid dissension and lies
But Uncle Sam's Navy was so proud of the boat
That the Holland's the name of the first sub afloat

Chorus

Here as I stand beside New York Bay
I can see all the ways you are remembered today
For your name is all written on tunnels and ships
On the streets of New York and on New Jersey's slips
So be proud sons of Erin, an Irishman he
John Holland the first for to voyage 'neath the sea
Leet the Statue of Liberty, a beacon shine free
For John Holland, the first for to voyage 'neath the sea.

Chorus

Subject: RE: Wolfetones--USS Holland lyrics wanted
From: Pete M
Date: 19 Oct 98 - 11:46 PM

The definitive submarine song is "Diesel and shale" by Cyril Tawney, its in the database.

Pete M

Subject: RE: Wolfetones--USS Holland lyrics wanted
From: Jennifer Burdoo
Date: 21 Oct 98 - 09:03 AM

Mick -- Thanks for the lyrics. Aren't there two missing lines in the first verse, though?

Jennifer

Subject: RE: Wolfetones--USS Holland lyrics wanted
From: Big Mick
Date: 22 Oct 98 - 02:13 AM

Hi Jenn,

You would think so from the structure of the rest of the song, but I rechecked the song book and that is what is listed. I also listened to the Wolfetones sing it and it is correct.

Mick

Subject: RE: Wolfetones--USS Holland lyrics wanted
From: Jennifer Burdoo
Date: 22 Oct 98 - 12:16 PM

Mick --

Thanks, then. It's still odd 'cause I'm certain there were two more lines in the version I listened to. (Can't remember the name of the album but had a green cover w/ single photo of all four members on front). Another song on the album was 'Flight of Earls.'

Jennifer

Subject: RE: Wolfetones--USS Holland lyrics wanted
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 25 May 00 - 01:34 PM

The missing 2 lines are:

In the state of New Jersey perfected your plans
And your work was unveiled as The Great Fenian Ram.

At least that's how the Wolfe Tones sing it on the album I have...

Subject: RE: Wolfetones--USS Holland lyrics wanted
From: GUEST,mary g
Date: 25 May 00 - 11:15 PM

steve ???I forget his last name..of Portland was a submariner and has written at least two songs..one sort of witty and one very lovely about the silver dolphins...wasn't Tom Lewis one too? I can't remember. mg

Subject: RE: Wolfetones--USS Holland lyrics wanted
From: MartinRyan
Date: 26 May 00 - 04:31 AM

Jenny

There was an earlier thread on subs etc. Click HERE

Regards