Most countries in the world have their own particular type of
folk music but the Irish are possibly the best when it comes to rebel
songs. I was asked recently why our band was called Keltic Jam as we
played such an eclectic mix of music. It is mainly because we grew up
hearing and loving all genres of music but it got me thinking about the
best Irish rebel songs of all time and I came up with the following
list.
I suggest that the top 3 are:
1. Kevin Barry
At the age of 18, Kevin Barry was hanged for being a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The author is unknown and likely would not want to be known as the song became an anthem for IRA members and Kevin Barry became a martyr, one of "The Forgotten Ten." There are numerous versions of the song ranging anywhere from 3 verses to 4 with a chorus, making it quite long. It became popular among British troops in Ireland as well as the Irish rebels. The endearing melody and the patriotic lyrics, make this a common Irish pub song as well as a "call to action."
2. Four Green Fields
Written by Tommy Makem and released in 1967 this song was an analogy of the Irish republican Army struggle to free Northern Ireland from British rule. The four green fields represent the provinces of Ireland with Ulster remaining a part of Britain after the partition resulting in the rest of Ireland forming a Republic. It is the most commonly covered song in the repertoire of Tommy Makem and would be unlikely to be left out of any extended set by a performer of Irish traditional folk songs.
3. The Patriot Game
The song memorializes the death of Fergal O'Hanlon from wounds suffered against an attack on the British outside Brookeborough in Northern Ireland. The song was written by Dominic Behan and references other betrayals in warfare such as that of Quisling, a Norwegian, who betrayed the Allies to the Germans in World War Two. Bob Dylan used the melody on his track "With God on Our Side" released on his third album "The Times They Are A'Changin'" released in 1964. Dominic Behan was a famous Irish songwriter, short-story writer, novelist and playwright. He is probably the best known Irish songwriter of the 20th century and this song, in my opinion, his best.
I suggest that the top 3 are:
1. Kevin Barry
At the age of 18, Kevin Barry was hanged for being a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The author is unknown and likely would not want to be known as the song became an anthem for IRA members and Kevin Barry became a martyr, one of "The Forgotten Ten." There are numerous versions of the song ranging anywhere from 3 verses to 4 with a chorus, making it quite long. It became popular among British troops in Ireland as well as the Irish rebels. The endearing melody and the patriotic lyrics, make this a common Irish pub song as well as a "call to action."
2. Four Green Fields
Written by Tommy Makem and released in 1967 this song was an analogy of the Irish republican Army struggle to free Northern Ireland from British rule. The four green fields represent the provinces of Ireland with Ulster remaining a part of Britain after the partition resulting in the rest of Ireland forming a Republic. It is the most commonly covered song in the repertoire of Tommy Makem and would be unlikely to be left out of any extended set by a performer of Irish traditional folk songs.
3. The Patriot Game
The song memorializes the death of Fergal O'Hanlon from wounds suffered against an attack on the British outside Brookeborough in Northern Ireland. The song was written by Dominic Behan and references other betrayals in warfare such as that of Quisling, a Norwegian, who betrayed the Allies to the Germans in World War Two. Bob Dylan used the melody on his track "With God on Our Side" released on his third album "The Times They Are A'Changin'" released in 1964. Dominic Behan was a famous Irish songwriter, short-story writer, novelist and playwright. He is probably the best known Irish songwriter of the 20th century and this song, in my opinion, his best.
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