The Wolfe Tones' Discography: Songs and
WordsThe Wolfe Tones' Discography: Songs and
Words
Here is a selection of, and small backround to, some of the Wolfe Tones' best known songs and ballads. Click on an active hyperlink for the words to selected songs.
This represents an attempt to compile a complete database of all the Wolfe Tones recorded songs and will be continuously added to over the coming weeks.
A song about emigration during the 50's and the tragedy in between. Written by Liam Reilly, formerly of Bagatelle, but now pursuing a solo career.
Irish Eyes
This is one of the many Irish love songs.
Street song coming from Co. Cork.
This song is about a rock off the coast of Donegal which is claimed by the English and in song by the Irish.
Far Away In Australia
This is a love song telling the story of the young man's emigration to Australia and the girl he leaves behind.
Song Of Liberty
Originally entitled "The March Of The Hebrew Slaves" by Verdi..This song has a history in itself and has become a chant of peace and liberty throughout the world.
Botany Bay (Available to Download in MP3)
In Penal times, many people were sentenced and transported to Australia arriving in the harbour of Botany Bay. In this song though, the man volunteers to go in search of gold and good fun.
Uncle Nobby's Steamboat
This is an anti-drug song written by Brian in 1968 asking why you send your mind in oblivion with drugs when you can stay in reality.
Goodbye Mick
This is another of the emigration songs.
This is a WWI song about an Irish soldier, who, like other Irish soldiers volounteered to fight for the English and were promised home rule. They never got their wishes though.
This song is about Padraic Pearse, the great leader of the 1916 rising.
Written by Charles J. Kickham with the lyrics composed by Martin Walton. It is a poem about the author's love for his country and asking the question as to when it will arise from its tyranny.
Big Strong Man
This is a song which was made famous all over the world through the Irish in the British army.
Let The People Sing
Throughout the history of the Irish freedom of expression was always prohibited and even up to this day it is difficult to sing a song with nationalist feelings. This piece expresses the point.
Quare Things In Dublin
Comical look at the strange things is Dublin and about the clock in Rathmines and another one at the Barracks on the South Circular Road with four faces each one telling a different time. The song says there are people like the clock.
St Patrick's Day
Song about the great day that brings the Irish together all over the world.
Flight Of Earls
A song of emigration ending on a note that the plane goes both ways.
My Heart Is In Ireland
The Wolfe Tones are very popular with the Irish in Britain and this song was inspired by fans wanting something they could relate to and hence Brian Warfield wrote this.
Born in Edinburgh in Scotland, James Connolly came to Ireland to organise the labour movement - and got deeply involved in the 1916 rising.
A Welsh regiment was brought into Ireland on their way to WWI and one of their first jobs was to execute him and the other leaders. The poem with the song was written by Liam McGowan and tells the stories of the thoughts in one of the executioner's heads.
Valley Of Knockanure
One of the great songs from Co. Kerry and the Fenian times. Tells the story of the Black and Tan war and the great heroes, Lyons and Walsh and the Dalton Boys.
Travelling Doctor Shop
This song comes from Co. Clare and was
given to the Wolfe Tones by a priest from South America. It is about the travelling doctors of previous years that cured everything with the one potion.
Women Of Ireland
There are many songs in Ireland today of all its male heros so it appears that the women have done nothing. The song brings to mind the great females in our history from Queen Maeve to Countess Markievicz and Maud Gonne.
Dingle Bay
This is probably one of the finest spots in Ireland and the song tells of the feeling of being there as opposed to residing in the city.
On The One Road
Song written during the Emergency which was WWII to everyone else.
Give Me Your Hand
By the blind harper Rory 'Dall' 0 Cahan with additional words by Brian.
Gay Galtee Mountains
One of the great Tipperary songs.
Anna Liffey
By Peadar Kearney, the author of the National Anthem.
Some Say The Devil Is Dead
Another fine song from Co. Kerry and it tells the story of where the British Army gets its recruits from.
Teddy Bear's Head
If you ever look at a map of Ireland it resembles a teddy bear sitting down. This is a satirical song by Brian about the teddy bear's head. - the province of Ulster.
Boys Of The Old Brigade
Song by Pat McCuigan as to what happened in days gone by.
This song was collected by Noel Nagle and is very popular in the public houses around Inchicore.
The Great Fenian Ram
John Holland was the man who invented the first submarine. Monuments in his memory are all over the world and the Holland Tunnel linking New York and New Jersey was named in his respect. The story tells that he built the first sub to ram British ships.
This song tells the story of the cruel evictions during the land clearances after the famine. The song also tells the true story from the victims' view.
In 1981, Irish republican volunteers in a British jail on Irish soil undertook a fast to the death to retain their status as political prisoners. The British government demanded they be classified as criminals. Ten men died on the doorstep of the British government in one of the most turbulent periods in the tragic history of Anglo-Irish relations. This ballad tells the tragic story of one of these great men, Joe McDonnell.
Tooralay
Again, the sad story of emigration but of a different kind. Around this particular time, people, especially in the north of the country, migrated to Scotland every year after reaping all the harvest only to return in the sowing months to commence this parody.
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