Analysis: From the World Cup in Australia to a rugby conflict towards the All Blacks, Pete St John’s basic is the Irish followers’ music of alternative

Fields of Athenry is a music that has been described as ‘the unofficial nationwide anthem of each the Irish at dwelling and throughout the Irish diaspora worldwide’. For a music in regards to the famine, it has made a curious entry into the setlist for Irish followers at sporting occasions.

Why do followers sing at sporting occasions?

Songs and singing is a cornerstone of cultural expression in Ireland, as is sport. When each converge, they are often a powerful means of uniting people with a common interest and a shared identity. Not solely that, however creating visible and aural spectacles at sporting occasions by using color, banners, chants and songs, has an energising impact and helps to create a particular kind of ambiance.

Lively crowds can show useful in occasions that go on lengthy sufficient for athletes to really feel fatigued, however the voice and spectacle of the group just isn’t sufficient. The affect of the group relies upon not simply on the kind of sport but in addition on the athlete’s personality and level of experience.

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From RTÉ Brainstorm, the place do soccer chants come from?

Who wrote Fields of Athenry?

Fields of Athenry was initially written in 1979 by Pete St John. The Dublin born singer-songwriter’s songs had been recorded by The Dubliners, Mary Black and Daniel O’Donnell, amongst others. St John additionally wrote songs reminiscent of The Ferryman, Ringsend Rose and Rare Old Times. When requested in regards to the reputation 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 music tells the story of a younger man who’s caught stealing corn from Lord Trevelyn in the course of the Irish Famine and is deported to Botany Bay in Australia as punishment, forcing him to go away his household and youngster behind. Referencing jail, rebel and famine, sports activities followers overlook the distress of the lyrics in favour of its memorable melody. Some even add different lyrics every so often to additional emphasise the anti-British sentiment throughout the music.

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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 music in regards to the famine is an odd anthem for sports activities followers to sing, particularly after they’re profitable. But it meets the factors for a music that transcends from the stage to the streets and stadium: a catchy tune, straightforward to study lyrics and a hovering refrain. It’s normally simply the refrain that’s sung/yelled within the stands and terraces. So these 36 lyrics should not a tall order for sports activities followers to recollect – regardless of how inebriated they might be. The creator of this text did develop up, although, pondering the lyrics had been ‘for you stole Joe Dolan’s corn’ so because of Dustin the Turkey for that misheard lyric).

We have goals and songs to sing

The aim of followers singing Fields of Athenry is to impress opposition followers, elevate spirits and collectively have a good time groups and athletes. At the 2021 rugby clash with the All Blacks at Lansdowne Road, Irish followers gave a rousing rendition of the music whereas the All Blacks carried out the haka.

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This divided followers on social media, as many individuals maintained that Irish followers ought to have been extra respectful in the course of the Maori ceremonial conflict dance, whereas others felt that singing in the course of the haka confirmed how Ireland had been able to rise to the problem). Ireland’s scoring within the match didn’t lie low and so they beat New Zealand 29 to twenty.

When on studio evaluation duties for ITV on the Euro 2012 match, Roy Keane criticised Irish soccer followers after they sang a rendition of Fields of Athenry within 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 followers having goals and songs to sing.

Low lie…

In 2010, RTÉ aired a TV documentary that instructed the story of Fields of Athenry and uncovered the roots and journey of this sporting anthem. The documentary was set in several cities and checked out how the music is sung by Celtic followers in Glasgow, Munster rugby supporters in Limerick, Republic of Ireland soccer followers at an away soccer sport 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 talk about the legacy of their late frontman Christy Dignam and the upcoming launch of the band’s closing recording, a canopy of Fields of Athenry

Fields of Athenry is presently again on the airwaves with Aslan releasing the music as the band’s final recording with lead singer Christy DIgnam. There’s dance remixes of the music and there is even racehorses named after it.

It’s honest to say that the legacy of Fields of Athenry is assured, a lot of that because of Irish sports activities followers. With its catchy refrain that may be repeated on loop and en masse, it’s a music that has been the soundtrack to many an Instagram story making an attempt to seize the dwell ambiance of a sports activities occasion. Importantly, it’s extra acutely Irish than Freed from Desire, which might be its chief competitor at sports activities occasions. All collectively now ‘Low lie……’

The views expressed listed here are these of the creator and don’t symbolize or replicate the views of RTÉ