Fields of Athenry est une chanson folk à propos de la Grande Famine Irlandaise (1845-1849), composée dans les années 1970 par Pete St. John du groupe Inichore, et enregistrée en premier par le chanteur irlandais Danny Doyle. Elle raconte l'histoire de la famine à travers l'histoire d'un prisonnier condamné à la déportation à Botany Bay en Australie pour avoir volé de la nourriture pour secourir sa famille mourrant de faim. Voici la version des Dubliners :
By a lonely prison wall, I heard a young girl calling
Michael they are taking you away
For you stole Trevelyan's corn
So the young might see the morn
Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay
Refrain:
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
By lonely prison wall I heard a young man calling
Nothing matters Mary when you're free
Against the famine and the crown
I rebelled, they cut me down
Now you must raise our child with dignity.
Refrain
By lonely harbour wall, she watched the last hour falling
As the prison-ship sailed out against the sky
But she'll live and hope and pray
For her love in Botany Bay
It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Athenry
Refrain
English
French