Analysis: From soccer to rugby, Pete St John’s classic is the Irish fans’ song of choice on terraces everywhere
Fields of Athenry is a song that has been described as ‘the unofficial national anthem of both the Irish at home and across the Irish diaspora worldwide’. For a song about the famine, it has made a curious entry into the setlist for Irish fans at sporting events.
Why do fans sing at sporting events?
Songs and singing is a cornerstone of cultural expression in Ireland, as is sport. When both converge, they can be a powerful means of uniting people with a common interest and a shared identity. Not only that, but creating visual and aural spectacles at sporting events through the use of colour, banners, chants and songs, has an energising effect and helps to create a special type of atmosphere.
Lively crowds can prove beneficial in events that go on long enough for athletes to feel fatigued, but the voice and spectacle of the crowd is not enough. The influence of the crowd depends not just on the type of sport but also on the athlete’s personality and level of experience.
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From RTÉ Brainstorm, where do soccer chants come from?
Who wrote Fields of Athenry?
Fields of Athenry was originally written in 1979 by Pete St John. The Dublin born singer-songwriter’s songs were recorded by The Dubliners, Mary Black and Daniel O’Donnell, among others. St John also wrote songs such as The Ferryman, Ringsend Rose and Rare Old Times. When asked about the popularity of Fields of Athenry, he said “I can go anywhere in the world and people know my song. As a songwriter, it’s the best calling card you could have”.
The song tells the story of a young man who is caught stealing corn from Lord Trevelyn during the Irish Famine and is deported to Botany Bay in Australia as punishment, forcing him to leave his family and child behind. Referencing prison, rebellion and famine, sports fans overlook the misery of the lyrics in favour of its memorable melody. Some even add alternative lyrics on occasion to further emphasise the anti-British sentiment within the song.
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From RTÉ Archives, songwriter Pete St. John on The Late Late Show in 1983
Why did it take off on the terraces?
Let’s face it, a song about the famine is an odd anthem for sports fans to sing, especially when they’re winning. But it meets the criteria for a song that transcends from the stage to the streets and stadium: a catchy tune, easy to learn lyrics and a soaring chorus. It’s usually just the chorus that is sung/yelled in the stands and terraces. So those 36 lyrics are not a tall order for sports fans to remember – no matter how inebriated they may be. The author of this article did grow up, though, thinking the lyrics were ‘for you stole Joe Dolan’s corn’ so thanks to Dustin the Turkey for that misheard lyric).
We have dreams and songs to sing
The aim of fans singing Fields of Athenry is to provoke opposition fans, lift spirits and collectively celebrate teams and athletes. At the 2021 rugby clash with the All Blacks at Lansdowne Road, Irish fans gave a rousing rendition of the song while the All Blacks performed the haka.
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This divided fans on social media, as many people maintained that Irish fans should have been more respectful during the Maori ceremonial war dance, while others felt that singing during the haka showed how Ireland were ready to rise to the challenge). Ireland’s scoring in the match did not lie low and they beat New Zealand 29 to 20.
When on studio analysis duties for ITV at the Euro 2012 tournament, Roy Keane criticised Irish soccer fans when they sang a rendition of Fields of Athenry in the dying minutes of a 4-0 defeat to Spain. Keane ranted: “They want to see the team winning – let’s not kid ourselves, we’re a small country, we’re up against it, but let’s not just go along for the sing-song every now and again”. Keane clearly didn’t approve of fans having dreams and songs to sing.
Low lie…
In 2010, RTÉ aired a TV documentary that told the story of Fields of Athenry and uncovered the roots and journey of this sporting anthem. The documentary was set in different cities and looked at how the song is sung by Celtic fans in Glasgow, Munster rugby supporters in Limerick, Republic of Ireland soccer fans at an away soccer game and Liverpool at Anfield.
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From RTÉ Radio 1’s Ray D’Arcy Show, Billy McGuinness, Joe Jewell & Alan Downey from Aslan discuss the legacy of their late frontman Christy Dignam and the upcoming release of the band’s final recording, a cover of Fields of Athenry
Fields of Athenry is currently back on the airwaves with Aslan releasing the song as the band’s final recording with lead singer Christy DIgnam. There’s dance remixes of the song and there’s even racehorses named after it.
It’s fair to say that the legacy of Fields of Athenry is assured, much of that thanks to Irish sports fans. With its catchy chorus that can be repeated on loop and en masse, it is a song that has been the soundtrack to many an Instagram story attempting to capture the live atmosphere of a sports event. Importantly, it is more acutely Irish than Freed from Desire, which is probably its chief competitor at sports events. All together now ‘Low lie……’
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ