The End of the Patriot's Dream - Luka Bloom

Written and performed by Luka Bloom in The Cliffs of Moher Retreat Centre , Liscannor, County Clare.
Filmed by Quentin Cooper.
January 2018
If I lived 100 years ago, my passport would have told you I was a British subject. Because of the men and women who fought for Irish freedom, my passport now tells you I am an Irish citizen.
In 2016 Irish people celebrated and remembered the Rising of 1916, in gratitude for the struggle of those men and women, and their unselfish sacrifice.
100 years later, here we are, an independent republic. A successful economy, seemingly.
And yet……..
In Christmas 2017 irish citizens spent 4.5 Billion euros on stuff. Food, gifts, whatever. And during that period there were 11,000 Irish citizens homeless, including 3,000 children. Many in hotel rooms paid for by the state; many in shelters, and many on the street. There is no need for this. We are a wealthy country.
It feels like an emergency now; because it IS an emergency.
Normally at Christmas time, for 15 years now I have done a benefit concert for one of the homeless charities. Not this year. I decided to educate myself, and write a song for the homeless people in Ireland.
Here it is.
I called it 'The End of the Patriot’s Dream’.
The end of the Patriot’s Dream
What was the vision
in Robert Emmett’s prison cell?
What did he die for when he fell?
What was the vision 100 years ago
When they read the Proclamation
Outside the GPO
In a cold hotel room
A mother’s trying not to scream
Children with no future
Mark the end of a Patriot’s dream
Who do we turn to
To point the finger of blame?
Can we please do one thing right
And not export our shame
No foreign empire
Beat our children with this cosh
The greed around the country
Has grown up up on our watch
Meanwhile in the backs of cars
Young ones make no scene
Tears before they sleep
Mark the end of a Patriot’s dream
in a cold hotel room
Suffering unseen
Schoolbooks with no history
Spell the end of The Patriot’s dream
What was the vision 100 years ago
When they read the proclamation outside the GPO

[@livmurray1958]

Another great Irish Historical Singer Song writer after 40 years in his own Right whom I Adore immensely. 🇮🇪☘️💚😭❤️

[@1971tschroeder]

What a wonderful song.

[@irishfield1]

Amazing song ever Luka you underrated ever this exquisite you give your heart ever thank you

[@florcandela]

Thank you, Luka Bloom, for sharing your lovely song with us. God bless you...

[@irishfield1]

Exquisite song Luka thank you so great song thank you

[@sentimentaloldme]

Fair dues that's a beauty. Also the audio/video quality is first class.

[@PMarlan]

I love this song and your storytelling. God bless my Irish ☘️ ancestors. Beautiful 👍🎼😀🎤☘️

[@cfc105]

awesome as usual, sung from the heart

[@ianmatthews6113]

Beautiful song luka

[@kathik2262]

Beautiful song and awesome finger pickin'. (as usual)

[@heather-anneobrien5318]

Pretty special. My AuntLiz knows all about homelessness. She'd talked about wanting to live in Ireland as that is where she truly wants to live & feel peace. Her family & guess mine too are from Co Clare. She has a house out on the Cliffs of Moher somewhere but for her, it is unrealistic & unwise for her to live alone at aged 69 by herself with fragile health conditions as she has. I was one family member who was strongly opposed her returning to live out in Co Clare, Ireland. I now feel sad that the only reason she can't go home is not having a place to live. So normally I keep quiet but for the past 2 & half weeks, my family & thousands of her friends & associates around the world have sat with the uncertainty that she might never wake up from the state of unconsciousness she lay for approx 2 weeks & come back to us. I went on my aunt's Facebook page just to post an update for all her friend & where low & behold was your threat & your feeling about homelessness. My aunt did a concert at Christmas supposedly for the homeless in Toronto & she said she felt ill with all the damn dignitaries there & all the homeless people had been moved off in the name of security because of who was in attendance at this concert. She'd written 3 songs in Gaelic & the St. Michaels Boys' Choir had rehearsed & learned to sing back to her in Gaelic. She said the exact thing as you did. It was a real farce. The focus was on who was in attendance rather than the super talent of the singers and/or musician or the homeless people. So the gutsy lady she is saw the disappointment the boys' faces & said who'd on to take this concert to the people who it was really meant for.So off they took the concert to the streets. So as I listened to this song & cried as it struck me for the first time what Ireland truly means to my aunt. The sad part of all that I'm trying to say is she knows she if she were to return to live anywhere in Ireland she runs the risk of being homeless in her own country. So your song is very powerful & tomorrow with your permission I will let her listen to your song & read the words as you've written them. How can this happen in Ireland of all places especially to its own people but it seems to be a global problem even here in Canada. That's why this passionate wicked aunt of mine defied all these dignitaries & took the Christmas concert to the streets where it belonged. The group of them met up with some old Irish musician friends of her's who joined in & contributed by getting two catering carts to provide hot drinks, sandwiches, Christmas baking to all on the street that even. Makes me proud of my Irish heritage & the courage of my Irish countrymen. My hat is off to all of you who stand up & speak out about the disgrace of homelesss people in this day & age when there's so much wealth. Peace, Heather O'Brien

[@cfc105]

beautiful words Heather