The Green Fields of France - Declan Hegarty

Anti war song - written by Eric Bogle and made popular by the Furey Brothers - about a young man, Willie McBride, who lost his life in World war 1

Category:

Music

Tags:

• World
• War
• Green
• Fields
• France
• Declan
• Hegarty
• Glasgow
• Maureenderry
• world
• music
• folk

[Philoaussie08]

Great song, enjoyed listening to Declan, and best wishes to his Mum, regards P in Aus

[maureenderry]

@Philoaussie08 Thank you....nice to hear from you again.

[jdizzlepizzle1]

Saw Declan Hagerty in a pub in Glasgow last week - one of the best singers I have ever heard with an incredible range of material

[maureenderry]

Yes.....that's my boy!!!

[sl8r]

I don't suppose anybody knows of Willie McBride's reply?

Ive read the lyrics but never heard a recording, i don't even know if there ever was a recording, its to the same tune and everything but Willie's reply saying how proud he was to have served and that while war is mindless, his part in it was necessary (or to that effect)

A recording of the reply would amaze me, next project maybe Declan?

[maureenderry]

I shall pass on your suggestion to Declan.!!

[RPenta]

@sl8r It is militarist fantasy the kind of which there was too much of in 1914, all the years since, and sad to say today.

[sl8r]

@RPenta It wasn't for King or for England I died,

It wasn't for glory or the Empire's pride.

The reason I went was both simple and clear:

To stand up for freedom did I volunteer.

I think whatever your point of view its worth hearing/reading others. I think the point of the reply, while adnittedly making certain assumptions about Willie McBride is a fair point of view and worth reading/hearing. I'm a fan of exploring all sides of a discussing regardless of my own view on it

[RPenta]

@sl8r Some pro war stooge came up with a lame reply he put into Willie McBride's mouth-misses the point of the song-McBride like so many soldiers in the centuries before him, his contemporaries, and those millions who followed him to graveyards around the world are often told that a war is for some great noble and glorious reason but they are told a pack of lies-which makes their suffering and sacrifice in vain.

[henrythenavig8r]

Stunning. Brings one close to tears. Been listening repeatedly since discovering yer boy here a few days ago, Maureen. Would love to hear any and all versions he does of the ballads of Planxty, sea shanties, and other great old tunes. Does he sing in sean nos or do any lilting perchance? Rare talent.

[hanshotfirst1138]

@sl8r I've heard of it, I've read the lyrics, but I've never heard it performed.

[kipperhouse]

The Fureys' version, though perhaps the most well known., is not tthe original.

It was written by Eric Bogle, who called it "No Man's Land". I saw him perform it last night, absolutely wonderful. He's one of the greatest songwriters of modern times. Catch him if you can, he's doing his final tour of the UK thtis Summer.