Dropkick Murphys - The Green Fields of France

Lyrics:
Oh how do you do, young Willy McBride
Do you mind if I sit here down by your graveside
And rest for a while in the warm summer sun
I've been walking all day, and I'm nearly done
And I see by your gravestone you were only nineteen
When you joined the great falling in 1916
Well I hope you died quick
And I hope you died clean
Or Willy McBride, was is it slow and obscene
Did they beat the drums slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post and chorus
Did the pipes play the flowers of the forest
And did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind
In some loyal heart is your memory enshrined
And though you died back in 1916
To that loyal heart you're forever nineteen
Or are you a stranger without even a name
Forever enshrined behind some old glass pane
In an old photograph torn, tattered, and stained
And faded to yellow in a brown leather frame
Did they beat the drums slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post and chorus
Did the pipes play the flowers of the forest
The sun shining down on these green fields of France
The warm wind blows gently and the red poppies dance
The trenches have vanished long under the plow
No gas, no barbed wire, no guns firing now
But here in this graveyard that's still no mans land
The countless white crosses in mute witness stand
To man's blind indifference to his fellow man
And a whole generation were butchered and damned
Did they beat the drums slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post and chorus
Did the pipes play the flowers of the forest
And I can't help but wonder oh Willy McBride
Do all those who lie here know why they died
Did you really believe them when they told you the cause
Did you really believe that this war would end wars
Well the suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame
The killing and dying it was all done in vain
Oh Willy McBride it all happened again
And again, and again, and again, and again
Did they beat the drums slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post and chorus
Did the pipes play the flowers of the forest

[@CellarDoorx06]

This song moves me so damned much. I'm literally sitting here crying in the dark... WHY...WHY can't we all be able to live in peace???? I don't know a single one of you. But I just want to let you ALL know that I LOVE you, and I wish nothing but blessings and goodness to you, and upon all of your families.

[@lros209]

Such a powerful song, so beautiful... gives me chills every time i hear it

[@Johnaxl666]

Great song. The piper from the Murphys is from Calgary, Alberta, and served with the Canadian Forces in combat. I chummed around with his little brother, who is also serving. This song hits home for Canadians, as I'm sure it does with other nations, as our military history is looked upon with great reverence, not patriotic rabblerousing. Ours is the nation that wrote "In Flanders Fields" and we speak of our fighting in hushed tones, as if not to disturb the dead. Beautiful song.

[@nocomply27]

When you go home, tell them of us and say for your tomorrow, we gave our today

[@lordsweetie7142]

My favorite song of theirs. Its so powerful and has so much meaning with it. It carries so many memories that many of us can understand.

[@Parad0xOn]

This is one of the few songs that can make me, a grown man, cry. The Murphys did a passionate job here.

[@stephenmcdonnell5702]

Incredible song and what a performance by these lads One of the best anti war songs ever written. And we should also remember they poor boys and their sacrifices 🙏🇬🇧🇮🇪

[@Chugalg]

My friends taught me this song when we were camping one night, and we sang it at the end of our campfires every single night for the next 4 years. Amazing song.

[@samblyth19]

I REALLY love this version of this song. So much emotion and feeling put into the vocals!!

[@98nh3609]

This song chokes me up every time. My friend and I used to listen to this song whenever we hung out. I promised her i would listen to it until I saw her again. She was due home Monday from overseas. except she didn't make it. If only it had been the war to end all wars

[@emberpeters9136]

I'm so sorry for you I can't imagine how awful it is to loose a friend.

[@1998golf]

the song that me and my friends sing out as loud as we can on the walk home from the pub!! Epic song

[@Stephenal1]

Good God, people. I've loved this song for more than a decade. It is a tribute to an anonymous solider that gave everything while being far, far, far too young. I'm active duty. I've served the world over. I've lost comrades, brothers in arms, people I've loved. We lose, period. Being a professional fighting man/woman is never a winning prospect. We. Will. Lose. Always. We do not stand on the winning end of any proposition, for it is our sworn duty to step in to harms way.

[@wrath1987]

This is one of the few songs capable of moving me to tears, consistently.

[@xoxolatl]

The first Dropkick Murphys song I ever heard and still my favourite of theirs. And still my favourite version of this song. Those power vocals still give me chills and make me tear up.

[@moorepla]

In memory of my Gt Uncle JR Mooney RHA who is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery Mericourt-L'abbe in the Somme. Died on November 1st 1916. He shares his grave with an Australian.. Lest We Forget.

[@brankog7]

Salute to JR Mooney. Id be happy to share my grave with an Irishman. Lest We Forget bro

[@punchdrunkatheist]

Lest we forget.

[@sergiocarvajal9589]

So, im going to play this song this 28th of July with some friends, just because the unknown young mans who died 100 years ago deserve it. This songs moves something deep in our souls. Please, don´t be douchebags to your fellow man, thats how that started. PD: Apologies for my english

[@007JHS]

Why the 28th of July?

[@sergiocarvajal9589]

The centenary of the WWI declaration.

[@007JHS]

Of course... Whenever I think of dates from WWI other than Armistice Day, I always think of April 25th... Anzac Day. Many thanks for your reply.

[@punchdrunkatheist]

July 28th 2017. Never forget. 101 years.

[@ratnakarkarna2663]

Sergio Carvajal nju

[@mikeyshinoda]

Made to listen and cry...

[@lilangel722]

A friend of mine Christopher Alexander Patterson, died yesterday in Afghanistan. This was the song he sang at valporaiso, the college he went to before he was deployed 3 or 4 months ago. Atleast he died doing what he loved. He was a good kid and he will be sorely missed by all of his family and friends. He is now singing with that beautiful voice with the angels. R.I.P. Chris. I love you bro.

[@johnsmith-ti2qo]

For the record: You are the first soldier I truly respect. You know the real score, accept it, and do your duty. I respect the other grunts for standing up for duty, but you seem to understand it more than they do. A soldier fights, and dies, for an ideal, and ideals change through time. You are a credit to your service, an accolade I dont give out lightly.

[@CafuniFitusu]

They were playing this on the radio this morning, Nov 11th 2014. Powerful song. Gerry

[@SpeakerTweaker1]

This song goes straight to the heart. Beautiful version by DKM. Thanks for posting.

[@thejacksonator1]

a truly touching bad ass song thumbs up

[@PinkyMind]

Emotions as it´s best .. I could cry !

[@okcmallrat]

And again and again and again and again.

[@showaddy11]

it is a tribute to a nation that never started a war and suffered under an empire..hail! hail!

[@darcness1313]

Manly Tear are shed every time I hear this. I want this played at my funeral. Followed by rounds and a huge PArty.

[@RBraunDPlaza]

Nick Ackerman, I love you man, this will always be the song that makes me think of you, I will always miss you and I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in paradise, you made my life incredible and I am sure you are making more memories with more people as I type this. I love you man and everyday I live will be in your memory and I'll be as happy as possible for you. I love you man....

[@2501martino]

"Well the suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame The killing and dying it was all done in vain Oh Willy McBride it all happened again"

[@emilycathcart7387]

Brings a tear to a glass eye

[@Hypnokid1998]

On the 11th of the 11th at 11aclock we had a ceremony and this song started playing :( this song made me cry R.I.P you brave men

[@Spectre_ski]

IM NOT CRYING *grabs tissues*

[@uisce_blu]

Just found your channel, brilliant, well done, just what I needed :-)

[@triplehood]

such a beautiful song

[@CTheNice]

If history has thaught us anything, it is that history has thaught us nothing

[@Karvakookos]

I haven't cried in years. But I cried when I heard this song for the first time.

[@megalolz05]

Just got this played to us in France at the British WW1 Cemeteries stood around a grave of a William McBride! Great trip and very emotional, i recommend going to anyone.

[@Fr0z3nFr0g]

its not just about ancestors. this goes on every day as we speak. the loss of life from mans own hatred towards each other and loss of life that hasnt had a chance to live is what saddens me.

[@Senora806]

love it.

[@13thearl]

Eric Bogle song. Fantastic

[@billvetter5328]

Mankind never seems to learn the lessons of the past. A mere 30 years after 1916 my grandmother sent her oldest (my uncle) to his death on the beaches of Italy during the D-day invasion...

[@Pastinakpige]

Awesome song!

[@VernianProductions]

It's hard to believe 69 years ago, American, Dutch, French, British and, us Canadians were fighting hard through France, The hell those boys endured in the bloodiest war the world has ever seen, War is fucking terrible, And when a Vet explains it to you, through his crying and his tears, you get an appreciation for the hell they endured.

[@awp1958]

@TheWesty95 OK, but the song was not written specifically for an irishman. Eric Bogle pretty well picked a name off a grave randomly. It wasn't written for an Irish soldier specifically, that was just chance that he was an Irishman. It was written for all soldiers, including the Irish and all the others. Bogle has written a few, have a look for "Banjo" about having to shoot all the horses before the soldiers could return home.

[@ruth4376]

Eric Bogle wrote his songs (including the band played waltzing matilda) from an ANZAC pov, though he was Scots-born. It would be an imagined Irish-origin Aussie the song is for.

[@delvinwalton780]

GREAT SONG.......GREAT SONG

[@delvinwalton780]

GREAT SONG

[@awp1958]

Both songs written by the same person - Eric Bogle. I've seen him perform both of these live. no other version compares.

[@dannymccarthy9188]

the fifth verse reminds me of a scene from from "Saving Private Ryan" at the end where he is standing in a huge graveyard with countless white crosses.

[@USERNAMEfieldempty]

And I can't help but wonder oh Willy McBride Do all those who lie here know why they died Did you really believe them when they told you the cause Did you really believe that this war would end wars Well the suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame The killing and dying it was all done in vain Oh Willy McBride it all happened again And again, and again, and again, and again

[@GeoStar13]

@PinkyMind This is one of the fery few songs that brings me to a tear.

[@Carterdan25]

good cover i really love it

[@H8table]

I wonder how many Irish, Scots and Welshmen have given their men and women for senseless wars? While not belittling the English who also died, the Irish, Scots and Welshmen never had any say in which war London fought and with whom for whichever reasons. But whenever the 'Empire' rose against their enemies these small nations pitched in and sacrificed their most precious resource. Often enough for a senseless cause. For the homeland and to all the unsung heroes.

[@roachiebkk]

Still a great Eric Bogle song, all others are just great covers. When will we see original music like this emerge again?

[@HudsonHawk98]

well said.

[@deanebray3112]

an amazing song with such feeling did they beat the drums slowly

[@skaterboi24]

makes me cry thinkin about my ancesters

[@AureusVenerabilis]

Beautiful... Does anybody dare to say now that punks aren't people? :)

[@tegunn]

Funny I never heard that. That was stated by Lee after the Battle of Fredricksburg..What general said that? You might be thinking of the quote"only the dead know the end of war" is often misattributed to Plato, but in fact is a George Santayana version was published in 1922. The Imperial War Museum, in London, has the quote engraved on its walls, attributed to Plato. The museum opened in 1936 14 years after the GS quote. No one has found it in any of Plato’s dialogues.

[@Gerben972]

Beautiful song about such an ugly war... Lets make sure they didn't die in vain. Lets remember them, and honner them! And all the other brave men and women that have fought or are still fighting!

[@donaldwood3261]

Played this on 1 July _ Dominion Day in memory of the Blue Puttees and all the Newfoundlanders lost in the Great War

[@wilkie]

Got the point. Love the song. But those who have never been 'in the fight' and those who deny the need to defend our lives and country, see prior wars as unnecessary violence. Our Revolution, WWI, WWII and others 'were not in vain'. Brave men died for a just cause. Grow up!

[@ruth4376]

WWI was definitely in vain. It was NOT a just cause. WWII, yes, there was a just cause of course. But WWI, the European powers had been wanting a war for years/decades, nationalism was on the rise, everyone was arming up, they were just waiting for an excuse to start the war. That's why it was 'in vain'- because there was no need for it, it was a war game played out by hundreds of thousands of innocents by the powers at the time. It was mass slaughter for no other reason than countries wanting to prove how powerful they were.

[@izdurg4ever]

War is awful, but sometimes it's necessary, specially when it comes to defend our land (ie, our families) from some crazy foreign invader. Anyway, we shall honor the fallen, they gave their blood and their lives to protect us. We owe them respect, at least.

[@MrBdsacco]

War= Profits - if the monarchy or their generals had to do the fighting there wouldnt be any wars

[@earlhughfrancis2575]

my 7 year old dauther cryed to this song

[@mrchainsaw05]

No it was after the end after WW1 humanity couldn't imagine something worse but we did do something more vile. That is what makes this song so sad.

[@awp1958]

The song has no Irish links at all. It was written by a scotsman who migrated to Australia named Eric Bogle. It's a comment on the waste of life in war. He has written many songs about WW1, but almost all can be read as a statement against any war. Original name of the song is "No mans land", though often recorded as "the green fields of france".

[@ruth4376]

Doesn't matter, an Irish-heritage band is still allowed to cover it if it is relevant to their ancestors and country

[@michaelpark9534]

God bless all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice over a century ago. God bless all those who offer to do the same in the 21st century.

[@jeremyj.5687]

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun Lay me doon in the caul caul groon Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun When they come a wull staun ma groon Staun ma groon al nae be afraid Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears Ains a year say a prayer faur me Close yir een an remember me Nair mair shall a see the sun For a fell tae a Germans gun

[@chevyvet69]

I have once a year set a prayer for you

[@jeremyj.5687]

@@chevyvet69 Cheers my friend, may it all turn out well for you in the re, wherever you live, whatever your beliefs, affiliations, skin color, [...]. Have a great day!

[@chevyvet69]

U 2 my friend I've been war an back And will never forget those who have fallen Respect from the USA

[@tegunn]

It is well that war is so terrible - otherwise we would grow too fond of it. Robert E. Lee

[@livinlitzish]

Though violence is intrinsic to human nature, this can be brought out in different ways(such as sports, which tap into the same killing instinct as fighting). over the years human societies have grown less and less fond of war and death. We are trending towards peace, and it may well be possible in only a few generations.

[@GNRDisturbedSlash]

he probably didn't mean it literally. one can describe a song as being about themselves or a friend in their mind. not that the song itslef was literally written about his friends relative. there is no place place for language like what you used on a song like this one, with a messege like this one, with a tone like this one.

[@hojulii]

This eclipses Eric Bogle. It is much more clean and better sounding. i listen to this at least 20 times a day

[@andreasgatto3501]

An alle die Frieden wollen

[@lahaine7000]

O wojnę powszechną za wolność ludów, Prosimy Cię, Panie.

[@edwardcorbett4020]

Thanks for sharing the kl0naKilty version, its one of the best ive heard. The drum is called a Bodhrán.

[@Dragoonfly96]

War The fields are crimson The rivers run red with blood Will it ever end?

[@wilkie]

I totally understand the 'line in the poem' and as I said that sentiment is wrong. "Well the suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame The killing and dying it was all done in vain" Fighting and dying for a righteous cause is not 'in vain'. When we say that someone suffered or died 'in vain' we discount the sacrifice and we deny history. The death(s) immortalized in this song/poem were far from being 'in vain'. While they did not result in the end of all war (no human deaths ever will), .

[@anujchitale4660]

Maybe because they are a very small community. But yes it is a broad subject with many other regions suffering too.

[@MrBrokenedition]

i agree with you

[@ivex91]

100 years...

[@thejacksonator1]

joszomitsu i agree

[@mthai66]

All you Dropkicks fans would never know these boys first heard this song on a Skrewdriver album.

[@ImDaChampMang]

-in some loyal heart is your memory enshrined? And though you died back in 1916- to that loyal heart you're forever nineteen. Or are you a stranger without even a name ..

[@leesdale]

UP THE IRISH SOILDERS GONE BUT NEVER FOGTTON GOD THE IRISH

[@webmastereyedoll]

I can not say that they died for nothing; they died to prevent a worse outcome. If good men don't intervene, evil men will triumph.

[@mvrobb62]

Its not Irish. Eric Bogle is a Scot who also penned classic haunting odes like 'the band played waltzing matilda'. The song refers to the traditional Scottish song "Flowers of the Forest" being played over the grave of a World War I soldier. Many a band has covered this mans works. Tremendous stuff indeed.

[@Doin]

@wrath1987 I came close to that today when the shuffle on my phone chose it while I was jogging. Not what you want while trying to run :)

[@TheWesty95]

@awp1958 thats not strictly true Willie mcBride was from my town and i live in Ireland

[@007JHS]

I like this but still prefer the simplicity of Eric Bogle's original... Joss Stone's sanitised version minus the last two verses is overproduced and without the ending lacks proper impact. Also worth a listen are Eric Bogle's, The Band Played Waltzing Matilda And Redgum's, I Was Only Nineteen

[@thomasathey3012]

007JHS I think he pogues the band played waltzing matilda was better and this is my fav version of this song

[@robdison2123]

no more brothers wars

[@FutureSEAL23]

"War at its best is a terrible thing" Abraham Lincoln upon observence of gettysburg

[@ougawougajr.4983]

I got no business to attend in France.

[@AlHillATC]

Considering the Irish deserted their own Army to join British forces in the Second World War? And they have only recently been pardoned by the Irish government I believe (in some cases at least) you're wrong in the last thoughts of these men. Eitherway - I have respect for anyone; Irish, Welsh, Scottish, Indian, African, Polish etc who have sacrificed everything for us. Chill out guys, and get the kettle on. :)

[@neiljflynn86]

no way, the fureys do the best version....ever.

[@markwhelan1151]

Its a true saying but Lee was Paraphrasing the saying from a Roman General from old Roman Empire, he did not come up with the saying

[@H8table]

I would agree to that, however I remember when Wales received more rights to govern themselves and that alone is an example that while they belonged to the Empire as a free nation, they still sadly didn't have the right to chose as a nation.

[@mthai66]

@fleischer94 You're not listening. Which version do you thing Al and Casey heard first? I know which version I heard first.

[@matthewg5546]

ceol den scoth. Thaitin liom i ndáiríre é :)

[@sovietunionrules122]

In 2014 will mark 100 year when the great war began

[@turbowmore]

In my opinion this version sounds too clean and with a lack of emotions. At least compared to the original version of Eric Bogle.

[@rdeclan]

@lilangel722 God rest his soul.

[@GutBuster]

:'( "and again and again and again and again..."