Brian Warfield
"I was
born in Dublin on the 2nd.of April 1946.On that fatal day in The
National Maternity hospital Holles street I first saw the light,
a light I never forgot all my life because it plagued my nights
in recurring dreams that frightened me to death. I often wondered
what this round swirling greenish blinding light was that scared
me so much. It was not until much later in life that I figured
out it was the light in the delivery ward that had made a lasting
imprint on my mind. When I would have this nightmare I would
shake with fright and run into my mothers bedroom for comfort.
Sometimes the feelings would not leave me for hours and I would
sleep at the end of my parents bed until I recovered".
Brian Warfield, composer and songwriter, plays the
five-string banjo and harp, and has written many of the group's
best known songs. He also sings many of his own compositions with
the Tones. Brian was born in Dublin of working class family, his
father Harry Warfield from Inchicore was a coach painter with C.I.E.
the national railway company. His mother Kathleen (nee Cunningham)
also from the same area, was a shirt maker and machinist with
Todd Burns an old established shirt manufacturer and retailers in
Dublin. He was educated in the Oblates school Inchicore and then
at the Christian Brothers' in St James Street, Dublin. “I
left school at an early age because of economic pressure at home”,
said Brian.
The 60's were exciting times in Ireland a new
confidence was emerging among the young generation, the first to
be born free of memories of British rule. A generation of war or
post war babies started to rediscover Ireland, its history and
its music. There was a rich tapestry of life in the Dublin of the
period including a revival in literary arts and music. Brian was
caught up in the resurgence of folk music and became involved in
the Young Folk Song Society. He also went to whistle classes in
the church street branch of Ceoltas and learned the dance music
of Ireland under the guidance of Paddy Bawn O’Brin. Noel
Nagle and Finbar Fury were also part of this class of 1960. There
was a new pride in all things Irish and very soon a ballad boom
grasped the country. The weekends during the Summer months saw an
exodus from the cities to the small towns of rural Ireland were
the fleadh ceoils took place. The county, provincial and then the
all Ireland fleadh’s saw thousands converge upon these small
towns to hear the best in the land perform their craft on the
various instruments. The Mullingar fleadh of 1963 hit the
newspaper headlines because of the vast crowds attending
But the organisers wrongly came in for criticism
because there was rowdiness and drunkenness among some of the
crowd present, mainly by those who had jumped on the bandwagon of
the success and popularity of these events, and not by those who
were music fans. Because of this some were calling for an end to
these great festivals. This event is described in a song written
by Brian entitled the Mullingar fleadh which tells the story
humorously.
The 60's were an era of protest and of the
search for human rights across the world. Civil rights marches
and the anti-apartheid movement were gaining the attention of the
youth of the country. There was a mood of change and people were
calling for equality, justice and freedom across the world. This
had the result of focusing the attention of the youth on the
problems of discrimination against Catholics of the six northern
counties of Ireland, who lived under an oppressive bigoted regime.
Brian emmigrated to England in the early sixties
and was accompanied by his friend Noel Nagle where they got
caught up in the folk scene in London. They played as a folk duo
and became very successful on the circuit they became resident
group in various folk clubs at Brentwood, Romford and Chelmsford
in Essex and were making quite a name for themselves. Some months
later they were joined by Derek and another member of the
original group, and spent some months working and playing in
London. Easter 1964 they moved back to Ireland for a Fleadh in
Elfin Go Roscommon where they met Tommy Byrne. Later that
year he cast in his lot with the Tones and the fab four have been
together since then.
Their music reflects the mood of the times.
So Brian, his brother Derek, Noel Nagle and Tommy Byrne were
caught in the tide of the sixties and created a folk band called
the Wolfe Tones. Brian has had a successful career as an
entertainer, writer, composer and notable songwriter with the
group for over 34 years. He has composed most of the hits for the
group; his songs reflect the history of our time and cover
most major events that occurred during the years. The Helicopter
song was a clever satire on the spectacular escape from Mountjoy
prison in Dublin of three political prisoners. "The
ballad of Joe Mc Donnell" is much acclaimed and has
received standing ovations wherever it is performed. It is
probably the best song to come out of the troubles.
The Tones shot to number 1 in the Irish charts with
"The Helicopter Song" which was the fastest
selling record of all time in Ireland. "Rock on Rockall",
rocked up the charts once again. "My Heart is in Ireland"
and "Irish eyes" were major hits and have
become standards in Irish ballad lore. "Padraic Pearse",
"Plastic Bullets", "Women of Ireland"
all beautiful poignant compelling songs of Brian's composition.
"Celtic Symphony" has become a great favourite
among audiences and performers all over the world and is another
example of the talents of Brian as a major songwriter. The song
written about the Guildford four played a part in highlighting
the injustice of their imprisonment. "The Soldier's
Return" tells of the plight of the Irish volunteers who
were conned into fighting World War One; both Brian's
grandfathers' brothers died in that senseless theatre of death.
The song called “the Protestant Men” tells the
story of the great hero’s of the periods between 1772
including1798 up to the Emmet rising of 1803. The song focuses on
the part played by the patriots and leaders of the period who
were of the Protestant tradition. From Napper Tandy, Henry
Grattan, Wolfe Tone,Lord Edward Fitzgerald, the brothers Sheare’s
,William Orr Henry Joy and Samuel Neilson to the great Robert
Emmet. Brian has written over 100 songs, many of which have
become standards and are sung in sessions all over the world
where ever the Irish Diaspora gather.
Brian Warfields' Views | Email
Brian | Contact
Us | Home | Back