Great Aunt Francis

Today I had the opportunity to attend a birthday party for Maura’s great aunt Francis who is turning 82!! It was such a fantastic experience! Her family welcomed us with open arms and made us feel like we were part of the family! During dinner I sat next to Francis's husband who told me he is “half deaf and blind in one eye so don’t pay him any mind.” He was so sweet!! I also got to chat a bit with Francis’s brother who is absolutely hilarious and joked about how he was probably adopted. The entire family was so witty. You had to listen carefully, because jokes and humorous comments were scattered throughout the conversation. After dinner we moved into living room and great aunt Francis played the piano! In Dublin she plays the organ and piano for many different cathedrals and events. She passed out lyrics to a variety of old Irish tunes and asked us to sing along! After a time, she handed her son a guitar and he started to play and sing some old Irish pub songs. It was absolutely incredible! One of the songs we sang was The Fields of Athenry, which has become the unofficial anthem for Irish sports fans at major events. It tells the story of a young man who is caught stealing corn to feed his family at the height of the Great Famine.

The Fields of Athenry

Pete St. John

By a lonely prison wall I heard a young girl calling Micheal they are taking you away For you stole Trevelyn's corn So the young might see the morn. Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay. Low lie the Fields of Athenry Where once we watched the small free birds fly. Our love was on the wing we had dreams and songs to sing It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Athenry. By a lonely prison wall I heard a young man calling Nothing matters Mary when you're free, Against the Famine and the Crown I rebelled they ran me down Now you must raise our child with dignity. Low lie the Fields of Athenry Where once we watched the small free birds fly. Our love was on the wing we had dreams and songs to sing It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Athenry. By a lonely harbor wall She watched the last star falling As that prison ship sailed out against the sky Sure she'll wait and hope and pray For her love in Botany Bay It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Athenry. Low lie the Fields of Athenry Where once we watched the small free birds fly. Our love was on the wing we had dreams and songs to sing It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Athenry.