Irish Folk Music Lyrics: A Collection

A collection of Irish folk music lyrics, perfect for anyone who loves Celtic music or Irish culture.

Irish Folk Music Origins

Irish folk music is the generic term for music from Ireland. It is tunes passed down orally, by ear, from one generation to the next. It is music created by the people who live in Ireland and share a common culture. Irish folk music has many different styles, ranging from simple ballads to complex jigs and reels.

Celtic music

Celtic music is a broad grouping of music genres that have emerged from the native folk music traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe. It refers to both orally-transmitted traditional music and recorded music and the styles vary considerably to include everything from “trad” (traditional) music to contemporary, avant-garde and rock music.

Irish immigration to the United States

Like many aspects of Irish culture, Irish Folk music was brought to the United States by Irish immigrants. The first significant wave of Irish immigration to America occurred in the late 18th century, when thousands of Irish people left their homes in Ireland to escape the effects of the potato famine. These Irish immigrants settled in areas throughout the United States, but particularly in urban centers on the East Coast, such as Boston and New York City. In these cities, the Irish immigrants formed close-knit communities and began to hold on to their traditional culture, including their music.

Irish Folk music is a type of traditional music that originated in Ireland. It is typically played on acoustic instruments, such as fiddles, guitars, and drums, and is characterized by its use of traditional Irish melodies and lyrics. Irish Folk music has been influenced by a number of other musical traditions over the years, including English and Scottish Folk music. In recent years, it has also been influenced by American Folk music.

The popularity of Irish Folk music has grown significantly in recent years, both in Ireland and the United States. In Ireland, Traditional Irish music was once relegated to being played only at informal gatherings or by professional musicians who toured the country. However, in recent years there has been a resurgence in interest in Traditional Irish music, with many young people learning to play traditional instruments and forming bands that play Traditional Irish music. In the United States, interest in Irish Folk music has been growing steadily since the 1970s. There are now a number of festivals devoted toIrish Folk music held annually in cities across the country.

Irish Folk Music Lyrics

Ireland has a wealth of traditional songs and music. This collection of lyrics to Irish folk songs includes both well-known and less familiar tunes. The lyrics are presented in both English and Irish, as many of the songs are sung in both languages. Whether you’re looking for a traditional Irish song for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration or just want to enjoy the beauty of the Irish language, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

“The Rising of the Moon”

The Rising of the Moon is a traditional Irish ballad that tells the story of the 1798 rebellion in Ireland. It was written by Irish poet Thomas Moore and sung by many famous Irish folk singers, including The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. In recent years, it has been popularized by Celtic Woman and other traditional Irish music groups.

“The Wild Rover”

verse 1:
I’ve been a wild rover for many’s the year,
And I’ve spent all me money on whiskey and beer,
But now I’m returning with gold in great store,
And I never will play the wild rover no more.

chorus:
And it’s no, nay, never,
No nay never no more,
Will I play the wild rover,
No never no more.

verse 2:
I went to an ale-house I used to frequent,
And I told the landlady me money was spent.
I asked for a bed but she told me to beg,
And then she took up a broom and she drove me to the door. (chorus)

“The Foggy Dew”

The Foggy Dew is a Irish folk ballad written by Canon Charles Kickham from Mullinahone, County Tipperary. It was first published in The Ballad Poetry of Ireland in 1882. The song has been recorded by many artists, including the Chieftains, Sinead O’Connor and Luke Kelly of the Dubliners.

The lyrics of the song tell the story of the Easter Rising of 1916 from the perspective of a young man who had joined the Irish Volunteers to fight for Irish independence from British rule. He reflects on his decision to take up arms, and how he now regrets leaving his loved ones behind.

As he lies dying on the battlefield, he urges the other young men of Ireland to put aside their differences and join together to achieve their goal of freedom:

“`
And I wonder, as I ponder all these things,
Will a generation ever rise and fight
For Ireland’s cause as we fought?
And I wonder do you wonder will they be as one?
As we were when first we met
Ere this war began.”

Irish Folk Music in the United States

Irish Folk music has been bringing people together in the United States for centuries. From the upbeat and lively reels, to the slow and soulful ballads, there is a song for everyone to enjoy. This collection of lyrics features some of the most popular Irish Folk songs.

The Clancy Brothers

The Clancy Brothers were an Irish folk music singing group, who achieved international popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. They were at the forefront of the American folk music revival and influenced many other folk artists. The most successful incarnation of the group comprises brothers Liam Clancy, Tom Clancy, and Pat Clancy (and sometimes their cousin, Louis Killen).

In 1962 they reached international fame with their recording of “The Mountains of Mourne” which sold over 300,000 copies. The New York Times said they were “the finest interpreters of traditional Irish song in the world.” They continued to perform and record together until Tom Clancy’s retirement in 2009; he died several weeks later. Pat Clancy died in 2013. Liam Clancy died on 4 December 2013.

The Dubliners

The Dubliners are an Irish folk band formed in Dublin in 1962. The original line-up featured Luke Kelly on vocals and banjo, Barney McKenna on vocals and tenor banjo, Ronnie Drew on vocals and guitar, Ciarán Bourke on flute and tin whistle, and Bob Lynch on fiddle. The band have played an important role in the development of Irish music over the past fifty years.

The group’s style is based on traditional Irish folk music and they have achieved international success with their energetic live performances. They have released over 30 albums and their most recent studio album, The Dubliners 50th Anniversary Celebration, was released in 2012.

The Dubliners are one of the most popular folk bands in the world and their music has been influential to many other artists. They have toured extensively throughout Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Chieftains

The Chieftains are an Irish folk music group founded in Dublin in 1963, by Paddy Moloney, Sean Potts and Michael Tubridy. The band has toured extensively throughout the world and have been the recipients of multiple Grammy Awards. In 1973, they became the first traditional Irish band to tour the United States.

Over the years, the band has featured a number of talented musicians, including:
-Paddy Moloney: uilleann pipes, tin whistle
-Sean Potts: tin whistle
-Michael Tubridy: flute
-Matt Molloy: flute
-Davy Spillane: uilleann pipes, low whistles
-Kevin Conneff: bodhran
-Martin Fay: fiddle
-Triona Ni Dhomhnaill: harp
-Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh: fiddle