A Look Inside: 'You'll Never Beat The Irish' - A Great
New Album
***Out Now***Released November 2001***Available for Purchase at Celtic-Collections.com
This is a unique offering from the lads, it’s
the story of Ireland in song, something that has never been done before and is
a must for everyone who has a drop of Irish in them and I don’t mean Whiskey.
There are fourteen songs twelve of them offered here for the first time. They
are the most important songs written in recent times and are very different and
inventive. The singing of Tommy Byrne is superb and filled with emotion and
expression. The passion of Brian Warfield comes across in his performance and
his song writing. Together with Noel Nagle they create a sound that is new and
exciting….. After listening to this collection I guarantee that you wont be
disappointed.
Recorded
at pulse studios Dublin.
Engineers Owen Mulcahy Shane Power
Tony Parry
Assistant
engineer… Fergus Brown
Produced
by Brian. Warfield and Kiev Connolly
All
tracks arranged by Kiev Connolly
Mastered
at Area 51 Dublin
Guitars
Bill Shanley…. Tommy Byrne …..Jimmy Smith
Violins
Moiré Breagnach…..Paul Kelly
Stephen
Bass Guitar James Blennerhassett
Banjo Brian Warfield
Whistle Noel
Nagle Mick
McCauley
Accordion Mick McCauley Thomas Breen
Mouth
Organ Noel
Cronin
Backing
Vocals Ursula Mc. Loughlain Siobhan Warfield
Piano,
Keyboards
Kiev Connolly
We
would like to thank all our musicians and friends for their help and assistance
You’ll never beat the Irish
Part 1 Sung and Written by Brian Warfield
Since the Norman invasion Ireland has seen very limited periods of peace every generation suffered war, Famine, disease, conquest, re-conquest, turmoil and land confiscations. It’s a great tribute to the resilience of the Irish people that they could bounce back again and again stronger and better than ever. Here is a satirical song looking back across the centuries, You’ll never beat the Irish
Killing plundering burning pillaging creating destruction all across the land. Murdering, ravishing stealing corrupting until the Irish were outlaws in their own land
Destroying robbing battling starving, creating destruction all across the land
Degrading torturing murdering plundering the monasteries and nobles all across the land
The Crossing.
A song of emigration during the Famine. Sung by Tommy Byrne and written by Brian Warfield
Prior to the great hunger 1845-1850 the population of Ireland could have been as high as 10 or 11 million. It was reduced to six and a half million according to the census of 1851, a loss of five million. One and a half million escaped to America. Many made their way to England and a few made it to Australia. The rest died in their cabins the fields or by the roadsides of Ireland although the country was full of food. The passage to America was paved by danger unscrupulous ship owners used the crisis in Ireland to make vast profit. They overcrowded their ships to dangerous proportions there was never adequate food or water aboard for the voyage. The ships were often old and un-seaworthy used for the timber trade or former slave ships all of them became known as coffin ships because of the great loss of life during the crossing. It was said that you could build a bridge across the Atlantic if you placed a cross for every soul that was lost.
The Rebel
Written and sung by Brian Warfield
Padraic Pearse one of the leaders of the 1916 rising and a great hero of Ireland was sentenced to death for high treason and shot in Kilmainham jail Dublin. His poem the rebel set to music is a powerful moving piece recalling the wrongs perpetrated against the people he loved and died for. Revisionist historians have tried in recent years to undermine the powerful image and example created by Pearse in the eyes of the Irish people in a vindictive campaign against his contribution to the freedom of Ireland and his character. This song is dedicated to them.
In Belfast
Sung by Tommy Byrne and written by Brian Warfield
Many images have come across to the world of Belfast and the troubles in the north in recent times. People have often posed the question why or asked for reasons or wondered how there could be such hate and violence between two wonderful Christian people. The answer I’m afraid is historical and lies in a deliberate policy of the English parliament to prevent the Irish peoples from living together in peace. There are many examples of Viceroys and parliamentarians expressing this sentiment over the Centuries. “We must never let the People unite for if they do we will surely lose Ireland", Divide and conquer. They used this policy of division to maintain their power The legacy of this destructive policy is the numerous sectarian assassination, division, bigotry, sectarianism, racism that have plagued Ireland and her people where ever they go .
In those little
red bricked houses all in a row all in a row
People walking to and fro
Little red bricked
houses all in a row
no one wants to
know or understand them
The Hot Asphalt
Composer unknown, sung by Noel Nagle
The Irish navvies in England have been the subject of many songs this is a fine example simple and humorous. For many generations the Irish labourer’s have
Sold their muscle and skill in England and Scotland first as seasonal harvesters then on the construction of the canals, the railways, roads and factories during the industrial revolution. The industries run down at home, land at a premium there was very little option but to seek work abroad in many cases just to pay exorbitant rents for a small potato patch to feed their families at home in Ireland.
We are the Irish.
Sung by Tommy Byrne and composed by Brian Warfield.
There are 90 million people across the world claiming Irish heritage. Scattered to the four winds over the centuries for various reasons they found a home in many lands. The devastation caused by Henry the eight and Elizabeth the first drove thousands from their homes and lands to seek refuge elsewhere. The wild geese fled in the 17th. Century and made there way to Spain, France or the new world in the America’s. Thousands of men and boys were sent as slaves by Cromwell to the colonies the Carolinas and the West Indies. The soldiers of the Irish army choose the standards of France and Spain following the Treaty of Limerick. The weavers and spinners of Ulster were driven away by high taxes and bad government during the 18th. Century. The economic refugees across the centuries were the results of the navigation laws and legislation passed in London favouring the English Industries and Merchants at the expense of Irelands, thus stifling the woollen, beef and fishing industries. These industrialist and Merchants were forced to find an outlet for their enterprise abroad. The Ship owners and merchant fleet were driven abroad by these laws many to the maritime states. The transportation of the so-called convicts the Whiteboys, agrarian and political prisoners to the penal colonies in the Americas and Australia. There was a mass exodus of people during the 19th. Century. It commenced following the collapse of the repeal movement. Hundreds of thousands of disappointed people choose to seek a home and better way of life in the newfound freedom of the United States. The floodgates opened when millions were driven away by Hunger and evictions following the failure of the potato crops 45- 50. This reached catastrophic proportions in the 50’s and so commenced a chain of emigration that was to last until the present day.
United Men
Written and sung by Brian Warfield
There were many efforts made by the Irish to free themselves from the oppression of English governments. Under the Penal laws the freedom of the Presbyterians dissenters and the Catholics were restricted and they were prevented from holding office, position s of power, had no recognition for their religious, educational, succession or land rights. Ireland prospered for a period in the late 18th century when they had there own parliament est. 1882 under the leadership of Henry Gratten This limited freedom was only achieved because England was at war with France, had lost the colonies in America and were afraid of losing Ireland. The power of the parliament was limited and was only open to Protestants, many of the members wanted to follow the example of America, reform the laws and emancipate their fellow citizens. . The United Irishmen were formed firstly to reform the Parliament bring all the religious groups together under one banner and build a prosperous country respecting all. This was frightening to the government and Pitt who done all in his power to prevent this great union He encouraged bigotry and division played one faction against the other promising everyone all they wanted. He encouraged and armed the orange factions a small bigoted group that had come to prominence in Armagh. He persecuted the Unionists of Ireland in Ulster and tried to provoke them into retaliation or rising before they were ready. He imprisoned the leaders and created unrest terror and turmoil across the land. He eventually achieved his goal in 98. The people’s army were provoked into taking to the field without their leaders and before they were ready, they made a gallant effort but were eventually beaten. the results of the failure was that a Legislative union was imposed upon the people of Ireland against the wishes of the majority of the Irish of all religions.
Ireland My Ireland
Sung by Tommy Byrne, composed by Brian Warfield
Young Ireland grew out of O’Connell’s repeal movement of the 1840;s, which followed on from the success, he had in achieving Catholic emancipation [1829]. Thomas Davis, Dillon and Gavin Duffy formed a paper called “The Nation” who’s objective was to support O’Connell efforts for repeal and enlighten the Irish people on their history their music and culture. It soon became the most popular organ of its day and was read in cabins and hovels all over the country. Thomas Davis died in 1845 just before the great Hunger and was replaced by a Presbyterian from Co Down John Mitchell. The young group had many learned men and great orators Thomas Francis Meagher, D’Arcy Mc Gee, William Smith O’Brien, Finton Lawlor to name but a few. The young Ireland faction lost faith in the repeal movement when O’Connell called off the mass meeting at Clontarf in 1843 but continued their support of it until famine and hunger was ravaging the country. They were forced out of the repeal movement because they believed that Ireland had a moral obligation to take arms to defend its people from starvation. While the repeal association now under the Influence of O’Connell’s son John had other ideas, he wanted to support the Whig Government of Russell and get places. Young Ireland became increasingly frustrated by the lack of action by the government they were helpless and wanted to save the people. They broke into factions over the right of the Irish to bare arms. The castle seizing the opportunity closed down their papers brought them to trial under a new law created for the purpose [treason felony] imprisoned those who spoke out. Mitchell was transported O’Brien made an effort to rise the people but resulted in failure. The leaders of Young Ireland were forced to flee the country some were caught and brought to trial sentenced to death then transported to Australia, others made their way to freedom and ended up in France or America. With young Ireland out of the way the food continued to leave in vast quantities, millions were dying of starvation all over the land and the people were left without a voice of protest.
Halloween
Sung and composed by Brian Warfield
The Irish emigrants brought their beliefs their songs, festival, dance and music with them across the world. Halloween is a good example; it was a very important day on the Irish Calendar of events. It is now celebrated in many lands across the world but few would know its origins. It was believed that the living and the dead roamed together on this night so people disguised themselves just in case they were recognised by spirits who could do them harm. So watch out!
Grace
Sung by Tommy Byrne
A republic was proclaimed from the steps of the G.P.O. by
Padraic Pearse on Easter Monday 1916 after which fighting took
place which lasted less than a week. Overpowered by greater forces and to save
more life and the City from destruction they surrendered. The leaders were
sentenced to die for their part in the rising. This is a very beautiful love
song written about the marriage of one of the leader’s Joseph Mary Plunket to
Grace Gifford, which took place in the chapel in Kilmainham prison in Dublin
the morning he was executed.
Thank God for America
Sung by Tommy Byrne, composed by Brian Warfield
It has been said that there were never two countries more intertwined than Ireland and America with ties of blood and the love of liberty and freedom Saint Brendan it is believed made is way across the western ocean in the sixth century and set his foot on that continent. Little did he know that it was to become home to many millions of his countrymen over the centuries. It was remembered in Boston when they were sending food to Ireland during the famine that the early settlers on the cape had received help from Ireland during their time of need. The Irish supported Washington in his efforts for independence over 50% of his forces were Irish The navy was founded by John Barry of Wexford and many of his countrymen supplied their ships like the O’Brien’s of Maine to the services of freedom. They helped to shape the laws and the constitution and to nurse the new republic to maturity. They fought in the war of 1812 and sacrificed many of our sons in the cause of freedom. By 1850 over 4 million Irish lived in the U S alone one sixth of the population. During the great hunger America received one and a half million people into its bosom and sent food and assistance across the Atlantic. In the civil war they fought on both sides and were loyal to the territories they lived in. They built canals and railways across the land, built cities and pioneered trails all across the land.
Chicago
Sung and composed by Brian Warfield
This story was told to me on one of our many trips to America I can’t remember who it was or the name of the fellow involved it was in a bar over a few gargles but it always sticks in my mind. I have thought about it many times and felt I should write a song about it and share it with you I dedicate this song to all our brave firemen.
Celtic Dreams
Sung by Tommy Byrne composed by Brian Warfield
When the Irish crossed the water to England and Scotland they were invariably met with resentment persecution discrimination racialism and religious intolerance. They got the worst housing and jobs that no one else would do. They came in conflict with local labour that felt the Irish emigrant undermined their wage rates. The results were the Irish banded together for their own protection. In Scotland they rallied around a soccer football team called Glasgow Celtic. At the football park each week they could meet their masters as equals. Whenever there was a grudge or resentment against the Irish the Celtic supporter became the target. The evil of sectarian bigotry and religious intolerance has remained with us to this present day.
In recent times many Celtic supporters were attacked beaten and brutally murdered because sectarian bigots identified them as such. Mark Scott aged 16 got his throat slashed because he wore a Celtic shirt. [May 2000] Another young Celtic fan was stabbed in the heart after watching a cup final game at home. He was on his way to a chip shop when two bigots, who murdered him just for wearing a Celtic shirt, set him on. They carried weapons and used violence against an innocent young man. He retaliated not with violence but with a song. As a result of this incident they tried to ban the singing of Irish songs when the real problem went unnoticed religious intolerance that has plagued Ireland and the Irish wherever they settled for centuries.
You’ll never beat the Irish Part II
Sung and composed by Brian Warfield
The story was endless the Irish fought injustice religious persecution and oppression for over 850 years. Have suffered wars invasions famines disease impoverishment degradation for all those years but still retained their dignity as a nation and each generation came back like the phoenix from the ashes. You should have known You’d never beat the Irish
Dividing imposing
impoverishing destroying denying education all across the land
Hanging torturing
imprisoning transporting and degrading the people all across the land
Evicting shipping
starving impoverishing cheating people of their food across the land
Gloating governing laughing smirking hoping that the Irish are driven from their land