The Boys Of Wexford Lyrics And Chords
The Boys Of Wexford Easy Guitar Chords And Lyrics. Irish Rebel Song from Co. Wexford Ireland- The youtube video is of John McCormack [Tommy Byrne Singing] the song commemorates the battle of 1798 and was written by Patrick Joseph McColl. Other songs from Wexford that talk of Vinegar Hill include Boolavogue Song which is likely the best known Wexford song of them all .
The Boys of Wexford
The major surprise of 1798 was rebellion in Wexford. Never considered a hotbed of United Irish activity, the county had been essentially written off by the United Directory and, therefore, by the authorities. The only regular troops in the area were at the fort of Duncannon, guarding the east side of Waterford Har- bour, and at New Ross, twelve miles north at the junction of the Rivers Nore and Barrow. On the eve of the Wexford rising, the Crown had small militia garrisons in Enniscorthy, Gorey, Newtownbarry (modern Bunclody), the town of Wexford, and just across the Wicklow border at Arklow. The major Crown presence in County Wexford was the yeomanry.
Shortly before the Appointed Day, Dublin Castle dis- covered papers signed by Lord Edward Fitzgerald indicating that the town of Wexford could be used as a contingency landing site by the French. The authorities reacted with dispatch. The local yeoman companies were quickly supplemented by the North Cork Militia, and a savage search for weapons and Unitedmen was initiated. Half-hanging, the flogging triangle, and the "pitched-cap torture" were used indiscriminately on the be wildered peasantry."
The peasants of Wexford, unlike the intellectual United Irish leaders, had no real knowledge of the goals of the French Revolution. They were perhaps insufficiently sophisticated to be stirred by such ideals as Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, but they had no trouble choosing a side. Some began to cut their hair short in the style of the French citizen who had so effectively destroyed the ancient régime. This vague sign of sympathy with the French Revolution was considered more than a small sign of defiance by the yeomanry and militia; it was a sure sign of treason. The Protestants took to using the term "croppy" as a general denigrating description of the Catholic peasant."
The major surprise of 1798 was rebellion in Wexford. Never considered a hotbed of United Irish activity, the county had been essentially written off by the United Directory and, therefore, by the authorities. The only regular troops in the area were at the fort of Duncannon, guarding the east side of Waterford Har- bour, and at New Ross, twelve miles north at the junction of the Rivers Nore and Barrow. On the eve of the Wexford rising, the Crown had small militia garrisons in Enniscorthy, Gorey, Newtownbarry (modern Bunclody), the town of Wexford, and just across the Wicklow border at Arklow. The major Crown presence in County Wexford was the yeomanry.
Shortly before the Appointed Day, Dublin Castle dis- covered papers signed by Lord Edward Fitzgerald indicating that the town of Wexford could be used as a contingency landing site by the French. The authorities reacted with dispatch. The local yeoman companies were quickly supplemented by the North Cork Militia, and a savage search for weapons and Unitedmen was initiated. Half-hanging, the flogging triangle, and the "pitched-cap torture" were used indiscriminately on the be wildered peasantry."
The peasants of Wexford, unlike the intellectual United Irish leaders, had no real knowledge of the goals of the French Revolution. They were perhaps insufficiently sophisticated to be stirred by such ideals as Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, but they had no trouble choosing a side. Some began to cut their hair short in the style of the French citizen who had so effectively destroyed the ancient régime. This vague sign of sympathy with the French Revolution was considered more than a small sign of defiance by the yeomanry and militia; it was a sure sign of treason. The Protestants took to using the term "croppy" as a general denigrating description of the Catholic peasant."
The sheer valour of the Wexford rabble-in-arms surprised the Crown in nearly every engagement. Faced by troops led by professional British officers, however, Irish courage was not enough. The lack of comparable trained and disciplined leader- ship within the insurgency proved disastrous.
All three rebel columns in County Wexford squandered tactical victories when they failed to exploit them: in New Ross, the battle-weary insurgents had rested at the instant that pursuit of the fleeing British would have gained the field; in both New-
townbarry and Gorey, leaderless mobs had engaged in wild drinking and barbaric pillaging, giving their beaten foes time to re- group. There was little the Wexford pikemen had not done when asked by their officers; the misfortune arose from the lack of asking.
The ballad is credited to Robert Dwyer Joyce.
The Boys of Wexford is a traditional Irish folk song that has become a symbol of Irish rebellion and resistance against British rule. It tells the story of the Irish uprising against the English in the town of Wexford, which took place in 1798. The song has been passed down through generations and remains a powerful and emotive representation of Irish identity and the struggle for independence.
The song begins with the line “In comes the captain’s daughter, the captain of the Yeos”, immediately setting the scene of a British military presence in Ireland. The “captain’s daughter” symbolizes the British authority and oppression that the Irish people faced. The Yeos, or Yeomanry, were a British militia force that was widely despised by the Irish for their brutal tactics and mistreatment of civilians. The mention of the Yeos in the song highlights the constant presence of British forces and their role in maintaining control over the Irish population.
The next line, “Saying ‘up with your hands, surrender, you dogs, or else you’ll surely die’”, further emphasizes the oppressive nature of British rule in Ireland. The use of the word “dogs” dehumanizes the Irish rebels and portrays them as less than human in the eyes of the British. This dehumanization was a common tactic used by the British to justify their mistreatment of the Irish. The line also highlights the unequal power dynamic between the British and the Irish, with the British wielding their authority and the Irish being forced to surrender.
The chorus of the song, “Hurrah, my boys, for Wexford, hurrah for the town that we love so dear”, serves as a rallying cry for the Irish rebels. Wexford, a town in the southeast of Ireland, was a key location in the 1798 rebellion and holds a significant place in Irish history. The use of the word “boys” in the chorus is significant, as it reflects the young age of many of the rebels who took part in the uprising. These boys were willing to risk their lives for the cause of Irish independence, demonstrating their unwavering dedication and bravery.
The second verse of the song describes the Irish rebels as “gallant men” who were “marching to the battlefield”. This depiction of the rebels as brave and courageous fighters further emphasizes their heroism and the nobility of their cause. It also serves as a contrast to the British portrayal of the rebels as “dogs” in the first verse. The rebels are not only fighting for their own freedom, but also for the freedom of their fellow Irishmen, as the line “fighting for our liberty and our rights” suggests.
The phrase “they fought for old Ireland and never feared to die” in the third verse encapsulates the spirit of the rebellion and the determination of the Irish rebels. The rebels were not fighting for personal gain or glory, but for the greater cause of Irish independence. The idea of fighting for “old Ireland” also reflects a sense of national pride and a longing for a time when Ireland was free from British rule.
The final verse of the song is particularly poignant as it recounts the aftermath of the uprising. The rebels are described as “lying cold and dead”, highlighting the tragic loss of life that occurred during the rebellion. The line “the boys of Wexford, they are no more” serves as a reminder of the sacrifice and bravery of the rebels, who gave their lives for the cause of Irish independence. It also reflects the harsh reality of the rebellion, as many of the rebels were killed by the British in the aftermath of the uprising.
In conclusion, The Boys of Wexford is a powerful and emotive song that captures the spirit of Irish rebellion and resistance against British rule. Through its depiction of the Irish rebels as brave and noble fighters, it serves as a symbol of Irish identity and the struggle for independence. The song has stood the test of time and continues to be a beloved and significant piece of Irish folklore, reflecting the enduring legacy of the 1798 Wexford rebellion.
The song begins with the line “In comes the captain’s daughter, the captain of the Yeos”, immediately setting the scene of a British military presence in Ireland. The “captain’s daughter” symbolizes the British authority and oppression that the Irish people faced. The Yeos, or Yeomanry, were a British militia force that was widely despised by the Irish for their brutal tactics and mistreatment of civilians. The mention of the Yeos in the song highlights the constant presence of British forces and their role in maintaining control over the Irish population.
The next line, “Saying ‘up with your hands, surrender, you dogs, or else you’ll surely die’”, further emphasizes the oppressive nature of British rule in Ireland. The use of the word “dogs” dehumanizes the Irish rebels and portrays them as less than human in the eyes of the British. This dehumanization was a common tactic used by the British to justify their mistreatment of the Irish. The line also highlights the unequal power dynamic between the British and the Irish, with the British wielding their authority and the Irish being forced to surrender.
The chorus of the song, “Hurrah, my boys, for Wexford, hurrah for the town that we love so dear”, serves as a rallying cry for the Irish rebels. Wexford, a town in the southeast of Ireland, was a key location in the 1798 rebellion and holds a significant place in Irish history. The use of the word “boys” in the chorus is significant, as it reflects the young age of many of the rebels who took part in the uprising. These boys were willing to risk their lives for the cause of Irish independence, demonstrating their unwavering dedication and bravery.
The second verse of the song describes the Irish rebels as “gallant men” who were “marching to the battlefield”. This depiction of the rebels as brave and courageous fighters further emphasizes their heroism and the nobility of their cause. It also serves as a contrast to the British portrayal of the rebels as “dogs” in the first verse. The rebels are not only fighting for their own freedom, but also for the freedom of their fellow Irishmen, as the line “fighting for our liberty and our rights” suggests.
The phrase “they fought for old Ireland and never feared to die” in the third verse encapsulates the spirit of the rebellion and the determination of the Irish rebels. The rebels were not fighting for personal gain or glory, but for the greater cause of Irish independence. The idea of fighting for “old Ireland” also reflects a sense of national pride and a longing for a time when Ireland was free from British rule.
The final verse of the song is particularly poignant as it recounts the aftermath of the uprising. The rebels are described as “lying cold and dead”, highlighting the tragic loss of life that occurred during the rebellion. The line “the boys of Wexford, they are no more” serves as a reminder of the sacrifice and bravery of the rebels, who gave their lives for the cause of Irish independence. It also reflects the harsh reality of the rebellion, as many of the rebels were killed by the British in the aftermath of the uprising.
In conclusion, The Boys of Wexford is a powerful and emotive song that captures the spirit of Irish rebellion and resistance against British rule. Through its depiction of the Irish rebels as brave and noble fighters, it serves as a symbol of Irish identity and the struggle for independence. The song has stood the test of time and continues to be a beloved and significant piece of Irish folklore, reflecting the enduring legacy of the 1798 Wexford rebellion.
In [G] comes the [C] captain's [D] daughter,
The captain [D] of the [Em] Yeos,
Saying: [G] Brave [C] United [D] Irishmen,
We'll [G] ne'er a[D]gain be [G] foes.
A [C] thousand pounds I'll [G] bring
If you will [C] fly from [G] home with [Em] me,
And [G] dress myself in [C] man's [D] attire
And [G] fight for [D] liber[G]ty.
[chorus]
We [C] are the boys of [G] Wexford,
Who [C] fought with [G] heart and [Em] hand
To [G] burst in twain the [C] galling [D] chain
And [G] free our [D] native [G] land.
I want no gold, my maiden fair,
To fly from home with thee;
You shining eyes will be my prize -
More dear than gold to me.
I want no gold to nerve my arm
To do a true man's part -
To free my land I'd gladly give
The red drops of my heart."
And when we left our cabins, boys,
We left with right good will
To see our friends and neighbours
That were at Vinegar Hill!
A young man from our Irish ranks
A cannon he let go;
He slapt it into Lord Mountjoy -
A tyrant he laid low! Chorus:
We bravely fought and conquered
At Ross and Wexford town;
Three Bullet Gate for years to come
Will speak of our renown;
Through Walpole's horse and Walpole's foot
On Tubberneering's day,
Depending on the long, bright pike,
We cut our gory way.
And Oulart's name shall be their shame,
Whose steel we ne'er did fear.
For every man could do his part
Like Forth and Shelmalier!
And if for want of leaders,
We lost at Vinegar Hill,
We're ready for another fight,
And love our country still!
Information On The Boys Of Wexford.
The song is a traditional ballad collected by
Robert Dwyer Joyce (1830-iris Weston Joyce)
born in Glenosheen, Co. Limerick. who
wrote The Wind That Shakes The
Barley Song . While studying
medicine he was a writer and collector of songs
and ballads he supported himself by writing
for the 'The Nation' newspaper,and many of his
poems and ballads were printed in the newspaper.
he graduated from Queens College Cork in 1865.
He became professor of English at the Catholic
University.According to Joyce he used to sing
this song with other words as a child and only
two of the original verses were incorporated
in this ballad, The original words are said to
be the work of a Wexford rebel.
First published in 1872 in his book
''Ancient Irish Music''.
The song is a traditional ballad collected by
Robert Dwyer Joyce (1830-iris Weston Joyce)
born in Glenosheen, Co. Limerick. who
wrote The Wind That Shakes The
Barley Song . While studying
medicine he was a writer and collector of songs
and ballads he supported himself by writing
for the 'The Nation' newspaper,and many of his
poems and ballads were printed in the newspaper.
he graduated from Queens College Cork in 1865.
He became professor of English at the Catholic
University.According to Joyce he used to sing
this song with other words as a child and only
two of the original verses were incorporated
in this ballad, The original words are said to
be the work of a Wexford rebel.
First published in 1872 in his book
''Ancient Irish Music''.
"The Boys of Wexford" is a patriotic Irish ballad that commemorates the role of County Wexford residents in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The song is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the United Irishmen, a revolutionary group that fought against British rule in an effort to gain independence and establish a republic.
Song Meaning and Themes
Notable Lyrics"We are the boys of Wexford,
Who fought with heart and hand,
To burst in twain the galling chain,
And free our native land."
These lines encapsulate the determination of the Wexford men to break free from British rule, with vivid imagery of chains and freedom symbolizing the rebellion’s cause.
Legacy
Song Meaning and Themes
- Celebration of Heroism:
The song honors the courage and dedication of the men and women from Wexford who fought in the rebellion. It highlights the idea of ordinary people rising up for their freedom and the love of their country. - Defiance and Patriotism:
The lyrics convey a sense of pride and defiance against oppression. The refrain emphasizes the unity and resolve of the rebels, reflecting the widespread support for Irish independence during that period. - Historical Context:
The 1798 Rebellion, led in part by figures like Theobald Wolfe Tone and Father John Murphy, was one of the most significant uprisings in Irish history. Although the rebellion was ultimately crushed, it became a symbol of Irish nationalism, and songs like this helped keep the spirit of independence alive. - Loss and Sacrifice:
While the tone of the song is largely celebratory, it also acknowledges the high cost of rebellion. Many lives were lost in Wexford, and the memory of those sacrifices is central to the song’s meaning.
Notable Lyrics"We are the boys of Wexford,
Who fought with heart and hand,
To burst in twain the galling chain,
And free our native land."
These lines encapsulate the determination of the Wexford men to break free from British rule, with vivid imagery of chains and freedom symbolizing the rebellion’s cause.
Legacy
- "The Boys of Wexford" has become a symbolic anthem of Irish nationalism, often performed at commemorations of the 1798 Rebellion.
- It is frequently sung by traditional Irish folk groups and at patriotic gatherings and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
- The song is a reminder of the enduring legacy of the fight for Irish independence.
The boys of Wexford lyrics
