Bold Fenian Men Lyrics
The Clancy BrothersMusic Video
Bold Fenian Men
It was down by the glenside, I met an old woman
A-picking young nettles, and she ne’er saw me coming
I listened a while to the song she was humming
Glory-O, Glory-O, to the bold Fenian men
It's fifty long years since I saw the moon beamin'
On strong manly forms, and eyes with hope gleaming
I see them again, in all my sad dreaming
Glory-O, Glory-O, to the bold Fenian men.
[Instrumental]
When I was a young girl, their marchin' and drilling'
Awoke in the glenside sounds awesome and thrillin'
They loved dear old Ireland, and to die they were willing
Glory-O, Glory-O, to the bold Fenian men.
Some died by the glenside, some died near a stranger
And wise men have told us their cause was a failure
They loved dear old Ireland, they never feared danger
Glory-O, Glory-O, to the bold Fenian men
I went on my way, God be praised that I met her
Be life long or short, sure I'll never forget her
We may have good men, but we'll never have better
Glory-O, Glory-O, to the bold Fenian men
Song Details
Songwriter: Peadar Kearney - a republican who composed many other Irish rebel songs, most notably, The Soldier Song - the chorus of which is the Irish National Anthem
Also known as: Down by the Glenside
Song Brief:
The Bold Fenian Men is a cornerstone of the Irish folk tradition. Written by Peadar Kearney, this haunting ballad captures the defiant spirit of the 19th-century independence movement.
The term "Fenian" draws its name from the Fianna, the legendary warrior bands of Irish mythology. The song reflects on the Fenian Rising of 1867, told through the eyes of an old woman who remembers the "brave-hearted soldiers" of her youth.
While written years before the 1916 Easter Rising, the song became a powerful anthem for that generation of rebels. It bridged the gap between the struggles of the past and the 20th-century quest for an Irish Republic. Today, it remains a much‑loved tribute to the sacrifices made in the pursuit of Irish self-determination, famously immortalized by the stirring voices of The Clancy Brothers. ☘☘☘
Genre: Irish Rebel Song
Covers: The song was first recorded in 1955 by Richard Dyer-Bennet and then again in the 1960’s by The Clancy Brothers re-kindling the popularity of the song.
Other artists include The Dubliners, Judy Collins, The Wolfe Tones, Luke Kelly, Omnia, Kellee Bradley, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and several others.
Featured Artists: The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem
Album: Wrap The Green Flag: Favorites Of The Clancy Brothers with Tommy Makem
Released: 1994
Country: US
Format: CD, Compilation
Label: Legacy
🎸 If you'd like to play this song on guitar, you can view the chord version on our sister site — Bell & Co Music.
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