“Leaving Erin”
Description
"Farewell Erin, I now must leave you for to cross the raging main." The singer is leaving Ireland for America even though his parents have lived in Ireland since Brian Boru. He misses his family's graves, and hopes the Irish will come home for vengeance
Notes
Since this song mentions starvation only briefly, it appears it does not date from the potato famines but rather from one or another of the periods when landlords were squeezing tenants off their properties. It does not mention the Fenians by name, so perhaps it is early. I wouldn't bet too much on that, though. - RBW
Historical references
- Apr 23, 1014 - Battle of Clontarf. Brian Boru defeats a combined force of Vikings and rebels from Leinster, but dies in the battle
References
- Dean, pp. 109-110, "Leaving Erin" (1 text)
- Roud #9577
- BI, Dean109