We Pray To Read Your Name Song Lyrics And Guitar Chord

Words and music by © Daíthí Fink Mac Siacais. 
Performed by Northeast Field (Irish name: Páirc Thoir Thuaidh)
Vocals: Saraid Kinerson Ní Ruanaidh
Guitars: Dáithí Fink Mac Siacais
Bodhrán: The Bruce Lee

An emigration song, inspired by the family heritage of the American band members, it tells the story of a family struggling to come to terms with the loss of sons and daughters forced to leave Ireland in the face of English brutality during the time of the Great Irish Famine. Noreen Bawn is another such song which is also about Emigration from Ireland.
 
[Am] Since you went away and the [C] rains came down
The [G] river wouldn't hold on the [D] north side of town
We [Am] tossed a lot of sand but the [C] river broke through
It [G] took the priest O’Donnell and the [Am] deacon too
 
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
 
[Am] No crops in the field, no [C] corn in the bin
None for [G] you or your brothers, or [D] any of our kin
No [Am] work in the mill, no [C] stew in the pot
The [G] lords fill their pockets while Irish [Am] corpses rot
 
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
 
[Am] To rise above the famine we [C] watched you sail away
To [G] seek a better life in A- [D] mericay
Now we [Am] wonder are you safe, we [C] pray you made the shore
Do you [G] think upon your parents who will [Am] love you evermore?
 
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
 
[Am] It was early last December that your [C] sister had to go
Be- [G] longings in a satchel, our eyes a [D] weepin’ so
Her [Am] heart she bore so heavy, the [C] weight upon her brow
To [G] comfort foreign sailors down in [Am] Dublin town
 
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
 
[Am] If ere you are returned from [C] far across the sea
You’ll [G] hear the souls of Éirinn cryin’ [D] out for thee
And if [Am] freedom from oppression we ever [C] do us gain
A- [G] mong those bravest fighters we pray to [Am] read your name
 
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
 
[Am] Since you went away and the [C] rains came down
The [G] river wouldn't hold on the [D] north side of town
We [Am] tossed a lot of sand but the [C] river broke through
It [G] took the priest O’Donnell and the [Am] deacon too
 
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
     Oh [F] why did you [G] leave when we needed you [Am] so?
Other song lyrics here about The Great Hunger  [ Famine ] include
the song by Johnny McEvoy, The Famine Song Lyrics .