Kieran's Song Lyrics Guitar Chords
Written by Gerry O'Glacain from The Irish Brigade [ songs ]. The song is about Kieran Doherty from Belfast who died on hunger strike in August 1981 after 73 days age 25. Kieran was elected to the Irish parliament while still in prison in Long Kesh. The tune of this song is ''The Mountains Of Mourne ''.
Kieran's Song by The Wolfe Tones is a tribute to Kieran Doherty, one of the Irish Republican hunger strikers who died in 1981 during the protests in Maze Prison. The hunger strikes were a major event in Irish history, where Irish Republican prisoners refused food in protest against British policies, particularly the removal of their political prisoner status.
Meaning of the Song:
Kieran's Song by The Wolfe Tones is a tribute to Kieran Doherty, one of the Irish Republican hunger strikers who died in 1981 during the protests in Maze Prison. The hunger strikes were a major event in Irish history, where Irish Republican prisoners refused food in protest against British policies, particularly the removal of their political prisoner status.
Meaning of the Song:
- Honoring Kieran Doherty
- The song tells the story of Kieran Doherty’s life, his dedication to the Irish Republican cause, and the suffering he endured during the hunger strike. He died after 73 days without food.
- Sacrifice & Martyrdom
- Like other Irish rebel songs, Kieran’s Song presents Doherty as a hero who sacrificed his life for Irish freedom. It portrays him as a determined young man who never wavered in his beliefs.
- Political & Emotional Impact
- The lyrics capture the pain of his family, the admiration from his community, and the broader impact of the hunger strikes on Ireland’s struggle for independence.
- Legacy
- Doherty was elected as a TD (Member of Parliament) for Cavan-Monaghan while still in prison, showing the massive public support for the hunger strikers. The song keeps his memory alive as part of Irish history.
The sheet music / tin whistle notes are in the ebook of rebel songs here .
[G]He was born in [G7]Belfast in [C]Andersons[Am]town
Brought [D]on without fear or re[C]spect for the [G]crown
[G]His heroes were [G7]rebels, they were [C]living in[Am] pain
And [D7]soon he was part of the [G]Belfast Bri[Em]gade
God [D7keep you Kieran we [G]pray every [Em]night
And [G]bless for the [Em]young men who [Am]keep on your [Am]fight
When[G] England is vanished uni[C]ted we'll [Am]be
Your [D7]name we remember when [G]Ireland is free
The priest gave elections for people's just choice
But the cold-hearted persons would not leap their voice
Those luckies in Dublin they are forever shamed
By letting to kill you they too shared the pain
God keep you Kieran we pray every night
And bless for the young men who keep on your fight
When England is vanished united we'll be
Your name we remember when Ireland is free
The hunger strike is over, but the struggle goes on
To join Ireland's martyrs ten brave men have gone
Don't be disheartened, don't weep for the lost
They do not give! up or accept England's laws
Brought [D]on without fear or re[C]spect for the [G]crown
[G]His heroes were [G7]rebels, they were [C]living in[Am] pain
And [D7]soon he was part of the [G]Belfast Bri[Em]gade
God [D7keep you Kieran we [G]pray every [Em]night
And [G]bless for the [Em]young men who [Am]keep on your [Am]fight
When[G] England is vanished uni[C]ted we'll [Am]be
Your [D7]name we remember when [G]Ireland is free
The priest gave elections for people's just choice
But the cold-hearted persons would not leap their voice
Those luckies in Dublin they are forever shamed
By letting to kill you they too shared the pain
God keep you Kieran we pray every night
And bless for the young men who keep on your fight
When England is vanished united we'll be
Your name we remember when Ireland is free
The hunger strike is over, but the struggle goes on
To join Ireland's martyrs ten brave men have gone
Don't be disheartened, don't weep for the lost
They do not give! up or accept England's laws
Kieran Doherty song
