Like many of the ancient celtic myths of the Ulster Cycle, many of the traditional Irish songs about war involve martyrdom. Although the myths, like Cuchulain holding off an entire army, tying himself to a stone when he became too tired to stand, praise the sacrifice, Irish folk songs of the past few centuries are more ambivalent about it.
These four songs below deal with the theme of war, both honoring and lamenting the losses dealt on the field of battle.
Mrs. McGrath
Mrs. McGrath (pronounced Mrs. McGraw sometimes) is a tragic-comic song, describing the return of Mrs. McGrath’s song Ted from the British army, “with out any legs, and in their place were two wooden pegs.”
Although, the wound is horrible, and the tone is generally anti-war, the sprightly tune of “Mrs. McGrath,” along with her unusual lamentations on her son’s fate (“them stumps of tree won’t do at all/ why didn’t you run from the big cannon ball“) add a comic tone to the song.
The war that Ted McGrath served in for England is the Peninsular Campaign against Napoleon, defending Spain and Portugal from French invasion.
The Patriot Game
As far as Irish folk songs go, “The Patriot Game” is a newcomer. The song takes place during the IRA’s Border campaign of 1956-62. Written by writer Dominic Behan, the song is based on the true story of Fergal O’Hanlon, a young member of the IRA who was killed in a failed attack on police barracks.
The song was very popular with the IRA, even though the hero of the song ends up dead. “The Patriot Game” became very popular overseas as well, being covered by many popular folk artists. Bob Dylan used the melody and lyrical structure to “The Patriot Game” for his song “With God on Our Side,” although the tune was originally lifted from an old folk song “The Merry Month of May.”
Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye
Like “Mrs. McGrath,” “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye” is a ballad about the horrors of war, a young man who runs away to join the army, only to return with no arms and legs, “an armless, boneless, chickenless egg.”
Unlike “Mrs. McGrath,” there is no comic tones to it at all. “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye is an incredibly tragic song and has been covered by folk singers and rock bands alike.
“Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye” may be the basis for the American folk song “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.” There are some similarities between the two songs’ subject matter, although the two Johnnies suffer opposite fates.
Since there is no published version of “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye” pre dating “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” the question of which came first is inconclusive.
Boolavogue
Boolavogue is a song describing and honoring the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The song was written in 1898 by P. J. McCall for the centennial anniversary of the insurgency.
The rebellion was most successful in County Wexford, where the ballad takes place. Boolavogue is a town in Wexford. At Boolavogue, Father John Murphy led his parishioners to battle, where they “showed Bookey’s regiment how men could fight” (routed the Camolin Calvary at the Battle of the Harrow).
The narrative continues, descrbing victory after victory, until their eventual defeat at Vinegar Hill and Father Murphy’s execution. However, it ends with a prayer and praise for the rebel leader.
These four songs capture the essence of the Irish fighting spirit. Like Cuchulain beating back the armies of Connacht till his death, the men and women of Ireland continue to sing of past heroism and lament the losses of those that have fallen with honor.
Further Reading
Irish Folk Songs Not From Ireland
Irish Folk Songs of Outlaws and Highwaymen
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