Boolavogue, Brendan Bowyer

This tune was written by J. P. McCall during the second half of the nineteenth century. It was originally known as Youghal Harbor. It is also known as Father Murphy. Boulavogue is a town in Wexford.
During the Irish Uprising of 1798 only the Wexford uprising had some success. This was in part due to the efforts of Father John Murphy. The Wexford rebels were defeated at Vinegar Hill and Father Murphy and the other rebel leaders were hanged.

**********Lyrics**********

At Boulavogue as the sun was setting
On the bright May meadows of Shelmaliar,
A rebel hand set the heather blazing
And brought the neighbours from far and near.
Then Father Murphy from old Kilcormack
Spurred up the rocks with a warning cry;
"Arm, arm," he cried, "for I've come to lead you;
For Ireland's freedom we'll fight or die."

He led us on 'gainst the coming soldiers;
The cowardly yeomen we put to flight.
'Twas at the Harra the boys of Wexford
Showed Bookies' regiment how men could fight.
Look out for hirelings, King George of England,
Search ev'ry kingdom that breathes a slave,
For Father Murphy from the county Wexford
Sweeps o'er the land like a mightly wave.

At Vinegar Hill o'er the pleasant Slaney
Our heroes vainly stood back to back,
And the Yoes at Tullow took Father Murphy
And burned his body upon the rack.
God grant you glory, brave Father Murphy,
And open heaven to all your men;
For the cause that called you may call tomorrow
In another fight for the green again.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Boolavogue
• Irish
• Rebellion
• United
• Irishmen
• Wexford
• Father
• Murphy
• Freedom

[emilyhobhouse]

All serious historians accept that sectarian murder was carried out by rogue elements within the rebels against all religions at the time. No serious historian would claim otherwise. If you want to know more I can give you the names of Anglican clergy in various parts of Ulster who have kindly provide me with valuable information in my research into the rebellion in Ulster.

Sonny it seems your well out of your depth in historical matters.

[jimthetim1973]

up the ra

[Filmitis]

I grew up in Enniscorthy in County Wexford as mentioned in this song. As a kid I played on Vinegar Hill with my friends,where the 1798 battle between Fr.Murphy and his men and the British took place.

[emilyhobhouse]

@lneranger4

I agree. I must go to wexford having read so much!

[lneranger4]

@emilyhobhouse Forget ulster for the moment,father murphy was from WEXFORD,carried the fight throughout Ireland,almost suceeded

[rockgor]

The King George of England referred to is the same George who was King

during the American Revolutionary War.

There's none like the Irish for putting place names in their songs. Even

Johnny Cash did it when he wrote 40 Shades of Green.

Thanks for posting this exciting performance.

[1798Greenflag1916]

I enjoyed the video right up until 2:23 when I almost shat myself ? What the fuck are the Royal Irish rangers doing glorifying a British flag in this video ?

[u3of52]

Who is doing this song?

[Keshalover123xX]

Up deh yeller bellies.. C'mon the girls!!!!

[feniansarecoming]

Religion was merely used and is still being used as a tool by an imperialist, enslaver. It is no more about religion today then it was at any time in Ireland's history. An enslaved native peoples merely rose up against a brutal dictatorial tyrant. Personally, I have long been tired of hearing the taig, prod bit. Remove the tyrant and Ireland shall be at peace, Amen!

[TheCharles1954]

To my infernal discredit I have to admit only very recently discovering Brendan Bowyer ... what a voice, absolutely lives the song.

[paul1x1]

england-and-her-minions-are-re­sponsible-for-most-of-irelands­-history-for-almost-800-years-­none-of-it-being-in-any-way-pl­easant-to-nit-pick-small-parts­-of-great-events-to-support-me­n-like-oliver-cromwell-as-much­-a-mass-murderer-as-adolph-hit­ler-and-with-the-total-support­-of-the-british-government-is-­to-miss-the-point-of-all-irish­-history-freedom-at-any-cost-e­rin-go-bragh