So after surviving the great famine, and the horrible conditions on the coffin boats the Irish land in a strange nation only to fight a war that has nothing to do with them. History has a way of making you sad to look back on it. I'm proud of my heritage, and hope that history is never forgotten.
Beautiful song but sad at the same time. Young men searching for freedom just to end up in the middle of hellish conflict. It's an incredible Irish song with a powerful message yet can still translate and echo to everyone across the globe.
My brother gave me Long Journey Home's album about 10 years ago, knowing that I've always loved Irish music. He told me "listen to this". As a result, since then I listen almost every week the album, and especially this wonderful song! Bravo for the performance!
It's pretty clear what the song is about to any who know their history. He came to America, as Ms. Black said, looking for a better life, and he found naught but the American Civil War. General Meagher (mentioned in the verse about pensions) recruited for, and led the Irish Brigade. Paddy loses his leg in battle, and is embittered by the loss, telling his countrymen not to follow in his footsteps.
They were forced to fight for another man's cause, just like the lads on the other side. God bless them, and to hell with those who sent them to their deaths.
@jackdoldsevenMy mother & father came from Ireland.They didn't forget the fighting & hardships caused by England.That's what I'm referencing here.My mother's brothers & older sister were active in the IRA & fought against both the Black & Tans & Brit Army.When they came to America they were glad to become US citizens but told their children about their experiences,good & bad,in Ireland.I & my siblings know Irish history.It's not about hatred.It's about fighting for your country.
A fine performance here. Mary Black's early work, was great. She sounded better, when she was singing traditional songs. This is the only version of this song, that I know.
@jimbobthepunker It did if they wanted to be considered Americans.The Irish contribution in the Civil War is what gave them their intro to American life.After the War they went into politics and did it better than the American Nativists that tried their best to stop them.My mother & father came from Ireland.My father served in the Fighting 69th,the regiment Meagher led during the Civil War.
@Marydawgs As an American. I care not about Irish-English politics. I heard Danny Boy somewhere when I was young. I like this ladies voice I wanted to know if she sang a song I like. And that's the end of this conversation. And by the way this song was about Irish Immigrants in the American Civil War
@Marydawgs And why would we know Irish history? My family came from Ireland too, or so I'm told. But I only know the heritage passed down through song. More a childhood thing anyway. For reasons unkown my family left the old country and forgot what they must have considered irrelevant or distressful. They only looked back to remember a song sung by their mother as I only look back to the same songs sung by mine.
Thanks for the upload of this song. Do you have any info about where and when it was recorded? I'm doing a paper on this song for my folk music class at Klamath Community College and it this info would help to flesh out the paper. Thanks, Paul G. Davitt
now I know what she looks like! After all these years of listening to this lovely piece and admiring her voice... The musicians sound much better on the record, though.
I know I'm responding to a 4 year old comment, but for anyone who doesn't know, it is because you have a 4:3 ratio video, but youtube displays a 16:9 format. I believe back when you uploaded this in 2008 they did not compensate for the 4:3 to 16:9 conversion so instead of getting black bars on the sides, you get squished picture. Now, youtube compensates for that.
No,they didn't.The Irish fought in all our wars,worked to build the infrastructure of the country,built a dynamic political system,established churches & many institutions of learning.The parochial school system was started by the Irish to educate their children free of the protestant indoctrination of the public school system.The parochial schools have provided education for many who couldn't afford it-even those who aren't Catholic.
@Marydawgs *Sigh* And I'm telling you I don't care. And niether did my fore-bearers. Sometimes wars cause internal problems. So it's not always "for your country". There's multiple sides to a conflict. I'm not pretending to understand your war it's just war in general. When I'm of age I intend to join the U.S Army and when I am deployed I'm not going to pretend it's for my entire country. It's for a certain point of view that I may not agree with. And my kid's don't have to either.
@jackdoldseven I said that already.Just to let you know Danny Boy isn't considered an Irish song.Only those Americans who know nothing about Irish history would think that.Guess you're the typical American.My family came from Ireland and fought the brits & their black & tans.Maybe you should ask if someone in the british royal family sings it.
Ehhh the Irish helped alot in America but came a little to late. Dutch have more importance in american, african and european history than most remember, but the irish were a big part of america, especially my home on ny.
ow and also how are us english even remotely racist when we formed the common wealth (multi-cultural and race) and lets not forget it was us brits who was the turn of the tide in ww1-2 and we lost alot of population and our main city for it and that was fighting for other nations like france, poland, Czechoslovakia, russia, africa, the funny thing is i cant remember ireland ever taking party in that war clearly proves who the racists are they just gladly sat back and hoped the nazis would win ha
The English were slave owners/ traders....started the Civil War that the Irish immigrants had to fight! Fuck England! The whole world hates you and your country!
@DaveyRace. Don t much care about the yanks, but the Brits should do the world a favour and stop trying to civilise it. Ireland' s Brehon laws were centuries ahead of common law, India was much better of without your interference. You impoverished China with the opium wars. Everywhere the Brits went, things turned to shit. Stay on your own island. And while you re at it tell them northern protestants they' ll never be accepted as Brits in Britain itself.
If you don’t feel the history in this song echo through her voice then you weren’t listening.
So after surviving the great famine, and the horrible conditions on the coffin boats the Irish land in a strange nation only to fight a war that has nothing to do with them. History has a way of making you sad to look back on it. I'm proud of my heritage, and hope that history is never forgotten.
Very beautiful. Came here because of Gangs of NY
Me 2
same same
Aye boyo
Beautiful song but sad at the same time. Young men searching for freedom just to end up in the middle of hellish conflict. It's an incredible Irish song with a powerful message yet can still translate and echo to everyone across the globe.
The PBS documentary The Irish in America brought me here! When I first heard her vocals, I thought she sounded like Maureen McGovern.
Incredible. Love her modest voice, that does hit those notes.
this song kinda makes me cry
amazing this is what irelands all about the words the music, mary sounds so young here incredible!!!xX
tiocaidh ar la (our day will come)
Heard this song last weekend in glencolmcille
Sang by a co down man
Love from galway
Much love from your cousins. :)
My brother gave me Long Journey Home's album about 10 years ago, knowing that I've always loved Irish music. He told me "listen to this". As a result, since then I listen almost every week the album, and especially this wonderful song! Bravo for the performance!
So beautiful
full of rich history
Surprised more have not viewed this beautiful song by Mary Black of De Dannan. I first heard De Dannan on "Folk and Country" on the BBC back in 1977.
Sinéad O’Connor’s cover of this is incredible
what a sad , sad tale.
she is amazing
That's for me best version !!!
It's pretty clear what the song is about to any who know their history. He came to America, as Ms. Black said, looking for a better life, and he found naught but the American Civil War. General Meagher (mentioned in the verse about pensions) recruited for, and led the Irish Brigade. Paddy loses his leg in battle, and is embittered by the loss, telling his countrymen not to follow in his footsteps.
That's perfect song. As if history is singing.
Heartbreaking but so beautiful!!!
Lovely song and wonderful musical performance !
Bearded legend brought me here
the best!
Lets not forget those that came into North & South Carolina and Georgia that all went into Confederate Irish Brigades. God bless them everyone.
They were forced to fight for another man's cause, just like the lads on the other side. God bless them, and to hell with those who sent them to their deaths.
An old favourite of mine, beautifully performed
Nice last name, dude 👍🏻. And the right spelling too!
Shouts to the people here because of Gangs Of New York 🔥
Totally agree...
sinead o'connor does a really good version of this!
yepp and so glad too
@jackdoldsevenMy mother & father came from Ireland.They didn't forget the fighting & hardships caused by England.That's what I'm referencing here.My mother's brothers & older sister were active in the IRA & fought against both the Black & Tans & Brit Army.When they came to America they were glad to become US citizens but told their children about their experiences,good & bad,in Ireland.I & my siblings know Irish history.It's not about hatred.It's about fighting for your country.
A fine performance here. Mary Black's early work, was great. She sounded better, when she was singing traditional songs. This is the only version of this song, that I know.
Alas, things are never that simple my friend.
@jimbobthepunker It did if they wanted to be considered Americans.The Irish contribution in the Civil War is what gave them their intro to American life.After the War they went into politics and did it better than the American Nativists that tried their best to stop them.My mother & father came from Ireland.My father served in the Fighting 69th,the regiment Meagher led during the Civil War.
To make your clip wide screen--- drag your clip on to movie maker then click tools, options, advanced, & change video properties to Pal /16:9
it's very very eizy to me miracle
Oh right the line is “ paddy you must go and fight for Lincoln” I thought it was “go and fight for England” makes sense now.
@Marydawgs As an American. I care not about Irish-English politics. I heard Danny Boy somewhere when I was young. I like this ladies voice I wanted to know if she sang a song I like. And that's the end of this conversation. And by the way this song was about Irish Immigrants in the American Civil War
@Marydawgs And why would we know Irish history? My family came from Ireland too, or so I'm told. But I only know the heritage passed down through song. More a childhood thing anyway. For reasons unkown my family left the old country and forgot what they must have considered irrelevant or distressful. They only looked back to remember a song sung by their mother as I only look back to the same songs sung by mine.
No one can out-sing the Irish.
The Welsh can
Is this a PAL conversion? Is that was the picture is a bit squished?
Five stars anyway...Mary is brill!
@jackdoldseven You're the one touting Danny Boy,not me.It's the English Army he was joining not the US Army.
@Marydawgs Calm down. This is a song about Irishman enlisting in the U.S Army. Was just asking.
Thanks for the upload of this song. Do you have any info about where and when it was recorded? I'm doing a paper on this song for my folk music class at Klamath Community College and it this info would help to flesh out the paper. Thanks, Paul G. Davitt
I found this song..on gangs of new york...lol
Does this woman sing Danny Boy by chance?
@edelahaye One subject leads to another.Get it?Like you are going to reveal something about Irish history that I don't know.
I wish, Luke Kelly had sung this song.
now I know what she looks like! After all these years of listening to this lovely piece and admiring her voice...
The musicians sound much better on the record, though.
I know I'm responding to a 4 year old comment, but for anyone who doesn't know, it is because you have a 4:3 ratio video, but youtube displays a 16:9 format. I believe back when you uploaded this in 2008 they did not compensate for the 4:3 to 16:9 conversion so instead of getting black bars on the sides, you get squished picture. Now, youtube compensates for that.
Irish brigade. Charge on maryes hights. Pickets charge had nothing on that.
@civico88212: Why? It's not that bad :-)
No,they didn't.The Irish fought in all our wars,worked to build the infrastructure of the country,built a dynamic political system,established churches & many institutions of learning.The parochial school system was started by the Irish to educate their children free of the protestant indoctrination of the public school system.The parochial schools have provided education for many who couldn't afford it-even those who aren't Catholic.
Thangs scorsese
@jackdoldseven Please,a song written by a englishman about an Irishman about to enlist in the British Army?I can live well without hearing that.
@Marydawgs *Sigh* And I'm telling you I don't care. And niether did my fore-bearers. Sometimes wars cause internal problems. So it's not always "for your country". There's multiple sides to a conflict. I'm not pretending to understand your war it's just war in general. When I'm of age I intend to join the U.S Army and when I am deployed I'm not going to pretend it's for my entire country. It's for a certain point of view that I may not agree with. And my kid's don't have to either.
Dear The Dallas Dragon, we Brits gave you your language (Butchered though it is now) most of your early culture and we taaught you how to make fire.
@jackdoldseven I said that already.Just to let you know Danny Boy isn't considered an Irish song.Only those Americans who know nothing about Irish history would think that.Guess you're the typical American.My family came from Ireland and fought the brits & their black & tans.Maybe you should ask if someone in the british royal family sings it.
@jackdoldseven Not my war.The war was fought by my family in Ireland.I know you don't care.Don't bother me about it then.
no It's not as good I see it the last one
Ehhh the Irish helped alot in America but came a little to late. Dutch have more importance in american, african and european history than most remember, but the irish were a big part of america, especially my home on ny.
ow and also how are us english even remotely racist when we formed the common wealth (multi-cultural and race) and lets not forget it was us brits who was the turn of the tide in ww1-2 and we lost alot of population and our main city for it and that was fighting for other nations like france, poland, Czechoslovakia, russia, africa, the funny thing is i cant remember ireland ever taking party in that war clearly proves who the racists are they just gladly sat back and hoped the nazis would win ha
The English were slave owners/ traders....started the Civil War that the Irish immigrants had to fight! Fuck England! The whole world hates you and your country!
@DaveyRace. Don t much care about the yanks, but the Brits should do the world a favour and stop trying to civilise it. Ireland' s Brehon laws were centuries ahead of common law, India was much better of without your interference. You impoverished China with the opium wars. Everywhere the Brits went, things turned to shit. Stay on your own island. And while you re at it tell them northern protestants they' ll never be accepted as Brits in Britain itself.