Anatomy of a Song: "The Fields of Athenry" Quiz

Answer: Prison

The song opens:

"By a lonely prison wall,
I heard a young girl calling"

The song was originally sung by Irish sports supporters, but it is also heard on the terraces from fans of Glasgow Celtic and Liverpool. Although it sounds traditional, it was actually written in the 1970s by Pete St. John, about the Irish potato famine (1845-1850). Athenry is a small (population 3,205 in 2006) town in Galway in the west of Ireland. The name means 'Ford of the Kings' in Gaelic, as it was the meeting point of three kingdoms. It is home to a fine medieval castle.

Answer: Trevelyn's corn

"For you stole Trevelyn's corn
So the young might see the morn."

Trevelyn is a reference to Charles Edward Trevelyan, known as 'the father of the modern British Civil Service'. A Cornishman by birth (his name comes from the Cornish words Tre - a house and Vellyn - a mill, making the English translation Millhouse), he spent the early part of his career in India, where he made great improvements to the conditions of the population. However, from 1840-58 he was assistant secretary to the British Treasury, and his responsibility for administering famine relief during the Irish potato famine made him a contentious figure in Ireland. The true figures affected by the famine, caused by potato blight, are not known, but it is estimated that a million people emigrated (in appalling conditions) and another million and a half died during the five years. Contrast that with an estimated 51,000 Irish deaths during WWI.

Answer: Deportation to Australia

"Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay."

"As that prison ship sailed out against the sky
Sure she'll wait and hope and pray
For her love in Botany Bay"

Deportation was ordered for the most petty of crimes in the nineteenth century. A 14 year old boy (Henry Caitlin) was deported to Tasmania in 1842 for stealing three and sixpence (17.5 pence - approximately a quarter).

Answer: Small free birds

"Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing"

The White Cliffs of Dover are the traditional place to watch blue birds (Tomorrow, just you wait and see...) but Redshanks and Greenshanks can be seen at the popular County Galway birdwatching spot, Lough Atalia.

Answer: Michael and Mary

In the song, Michael is pronounced in the conventional way, but the Irish version, Mícheál, would be pronounced Mee hawl or Meel. Mary would be spelt Máire and pronounced Mawra, Moy ra or Moy a. Both names are actually Hebrew, Michael meaning 'who is like God?' and Mary, perhaps aptly, meaning bitterness.

Answer: Nothing

"By a lonely prison wall,
I heard a young man call
"Nothing matters, Mary, when you're free"

Although the song was written in the 70s about the Potato Famine, it has been used by both Irish factions. The nationalists use the original words, while the loyalists change the main line to 'The Fields of Ballynafeigh' (an area off the Ormeau Road in Belfast). Contrast this sentiment with Kris Kristofferson's "And nothin ain't worth nothin but it's free" from 'Me and Bobby McGee'.

Answer: Yes

"Against the famine and the crown,
I rebelled, they cut me down.
Now you must raise our child with dignity."

This song has been recorded not only by Irish groups like The Dubliners and The Pogues, but also by US group The Dropkick Murphys (both in punk style and as a tribute to a Marine killed in Iraq), by Canadian group The Tartan Terrors, by Orthodox Celts and Tir na n'Og (who both hail from Serbia!), by Polish group Carrantuohill and Sacra Arcana from Hungary.

Answer: A harbour wall

"By a lonely harbour wall,"

This may have been at the port of Galway itself, about 15 miles (25 kilometres) west of Athenry. Galway harbour has a net cam if you'd like to see it for yourself. Other songs about the county/town include 'Galway Bay', 'Galway Girl' and 'Galway Farmer'.

Answer: Low

"Low lie the fields of Athenry"

At a mere 154 feet (47 metres) above sea level, Athenry's fields would indeed lie low. There are no mountains or significant hills around the area. For those of you with a good knowledge of Irish songs, the 'Mountains of Mourne' are approximately 174 miles (282 kilometres) from Athenry and in another country (Northern Ireland). Apparently, C S Lewis based Narnia on the mountains of Mourne.

Answer: So lonely

"Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely round the fields of Athenry."

I hope you've enjoyed this quiz about a very lovely song, and thanks go to Darksplash, who challenged me to write it. Why not investigate some of the very different versions around, and the next time the terraces of your chosen sport start to sing, join in! (If you're in Liverpool, you'll know the tune, but you'll have to learn the words to 'The Fields of Anfield Road'...)