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Young Ned of the hill lyrics and chords

Young Ned Of The Hill Lyrics And Guitar Chords The Pogues [ songs ], Written By Ron Kavana & Terry Woods. Young Ned was Edmund Ryan from Tipperary who was a member of The Wild Geese.
Song Meaning.
"Young Ned of the Hill" is a song performed by The Pogues, a Celtic punk band known for blending traditional Irish music with punk rock. The song is a tribute to Éamonn an Chnoic (Ned of the Hill), a legendary Irish folk hero from the 17th century.

Historical Background:
The character "Ned of the Hill" is based on Éamonn Ó Riain, an Irish nobleman and outlaw (or "rapparee"). He became a folk hero for resisting English rule in Ireland during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in the 17th century. After his lands were confiscated, Éamonn became a rebel leader who lived in the mountains and defied the authorities.

Meaning and Themes:

The song captures themes of:

Rebellion: It highlights the struggles of Irish rebels who fought against the oppression and displacement caused by English rule.
Loss and Exile: There’s a sense of sorrow over the loss of land, freedom, and the betrayal of a noble cause.
Defiance and Pride: Despite the tragedy, there is a strong undercurrent of resistance and pride in Irish identity.
The Pogues' version brings a punk energy to the story, emphasizing the rebellious nature of the song’s hero. Overall, it celebrates Irish cultural resilience and honors those who fought for their homeland.


[Am] Have you ever [Em] walked the lonesome hills
And [Am] heard the curlews [Em] cry?

Or [Am] seen the Raven [Em] black as night,

[C] Upon a [G] windswept [Am] sky?

To [Am] walk the purple [Em] heather,

And [Am] hear the westwind [Em] cry

To [Am] know that's where the [Em] rapparee must [Am] die

 

Since Cromwell put us westward

To live our lowly lives

There's some of us have deemed to fight

From Tipperary mountains high

Noble men with wills of iron

Who are not afraid to die

Who'll fight with Gaelic honour held on high

 

Chorus:

A curse on you Oliver Cromwell

You've raped our mother land

I hope you're rotting down in Hell

For the horrors that you sent

To our misfortunate forefathers

Whom you robbed of their birthright

"To Hell our Connacht", may you burn in Hell tonight

 

Of one such man I'd like to speak

A rappareee by name and deed

His family dispossessed and slaughtered

They put a price upon his head

His name is known in song and story

His deeds are legend still

And murdered for blood money

Was [C] young Ned [G] of the [Am] hill

 

You have robbed our homes and fortunates

Even drove us from our land

You tried to break our spirit

But you never understand

The love of dear old Ireland

That will forge an iron will

As long as there are gallant men

Like young Ned of the hill

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