Sean South - The Wolfe Tones (Cover) by Seth Staton Watkins

Sean South - The Wolfe Tones (Cover) by Seth Staton Watkins
MY LINKS: linktr.ee/Sethswatkinsmusic
Steam my latest single The Ramblin' Rover, a collaboration with the multi-talented Cullen Vance: distrokid.com/hyperfollow/set...
"Sean South", also known as "Sean South of Garryowen", was written by Sean Costello to the tune of another republican ballad "Roddy McCorley" and made famous by the Wolfe Tones. Seán South was a member of the Pearse Column of the Irish Republican Army, and was fatally wounded during the attack on Brookeborough barracks in 1957. The words to this song were first published in the Irish Catholic newspaper within a week of South's death.
I think it important to note that while I admire the sentiment expressed in the song, I hold no admiration for Sean South. South was a reactionary Catholic, an Irish republican zealot, and an outspoken anti-Semite. He admired the writings of the British fascist A.K. Chesterton, and associated with members of Irish fascist party, Ailtirí na hAiséirghe. His reactionary Catholicism was considered extreme at the time even among other devote conservative Catholics. Aside from the sentiments expressed in this song, my own beliefs stand in stark contrast to those of Sean South. However, I sing this song out of reverence for all the martyrs from the last 800 years who died fighting for Irish independence.
Here are the lyrics if you want to sing along:
T'was on a dreary New Years Eve
As the shades of night came down
A lorry load of volunteers approached the border town
There were men from Dublin and from Cork, Fermanagh and Tyrone
And the leader was a Limerick man - Sean South from Garryowen
As they moved along the street up to the barracks door
They scorned the danger they might face
Their fate that lay in store
They were fighting for old Ireland to claim their very own
And the foremost of that gallant band
Was South from Garryowen
But the sergeant spoiled their daring plan
He spied them trough the door
The Sten guns and the rifles too a hail of death did pour
And when that awful night had passed
Two men lay cold a s stone
There was one from near the border and one from Garryowen
No more he will hear the seagull's cry
Over the murmuring Shannon tide
For he fell beneath a Northern sky brave Hanlon by his side
They have gone to join that gallant band
Of Plunkett, Pearse and Tone
A martyr for old Ireland
Sean South from Garryowen

[@D94Ultras]

Would be cool with a cover of Kincaird's "The Irish volunteer" 😃

[@generaldavis2844]

I second this

[@mykaelboykin4905]

I also second this. (I wonder what the 3 variant of "i second this" is?)

[@donnieledbetter7305]

I second this x 4

[@Rrss369]

He does have a short on his TikTok page, but definitely needs a full version

[@caffeinatedgamer.4576]

I agree wholeheartedly

[@spmoran4703]

I love the Wolf Tones . Sean South is still remembered in Limerick. You did a good job of this tune brother . Slante . 🇨🇮

[@persianprince6213]

This is amazing Seth! Thanks for bringing back the rebel songs! ✊✊✊🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@Teajay21]

I appreciate that you include historical context for many of your songs I find it only improves my enjoyment of them! Your cover is always wonderful, for a while I was only listening to your songs I was already familiar with & I'm so glad I branched out.

[@cathanmccann1769]

This is no joke my favourite song iv been waiting for ages for this cover 🇮🇪 🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@marshwalker7217]

This song was the first Irish song I had intentionally listened to like twenty years ago that got me more intrigued into the music and your rendition just gave me the chills and the wonderful feeling of discovery all over again. Beautifully done, Seth!

[@johanoskarsson8209]

Ooof, yeah tricky figure to sing about for sure. Still, the song is beautiful, and I suppose you can't escape that the irish fight for independence had all sorts of people in it.

[@Rrss369]

Right, I assume you read Seth’s comments in the description

[@arjunramakanth4370]

OH MY GODS! THIS IS ONE OF MY TWO FAVORITE SONGS! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS

[@wilhelm992]

The Wolfe Tones are the best but you sure do a damn fine job, always a fan good sir

[@nullset560]

I wouldn't get into the habit of adding disclaimers for every Irish song about a reactionary Catholic. You'll find quite a few! Beautiful cover btw.

[@DOCCOPA]

would love a cover of Boston rose

[@johnnyk6460]

Come on Limerick, 3-in-a-row All-Ireland hurling champions. Luimneach Abu!!!!

[@ucerrito91]

Goodluck .. still sad my poor Wexford boys failed to make the finals again 😔

[@deekthetim88]

Best cover I’ve ever heard 🌟🍀💚

[@patrickmcdonald5083]

I think you should try Thousands Are Sailing by The Pogues!

[@Grovezy]

Please do Botany Bay by the Irish Rovers

[@BK-cs4gv]

Spot on with the extra context in the description.

[@themin6153]

Only just come across you Seth , sing it loud brother 🇮🇪🤘✊️

[@ryanking2936]

Thanks!

[@deathbyhotsauce]

Thank you Seth, another wonderful song

[@seanchan7167]

As a Sean, I feel strangely connected to this South dude

[@WaynettePorter]

Streets of New York, Field Behind the Plow (Stan Rogers) or Kilkelly, Ireland would be good songs. Kilkelly did something rare the first time I heard it. I brought a tear to my eye. Part of that has to do with one of my non-musical passions, genealogy.

[@BoB10]

Well done man, like all your song's .

[@stormlord1177]

Can you do the irish volunteers plz

[@thorin7481]

An amazing song like always, kept up the good stuff.

[@Nobert594]

Bro you have to put more stuff on Spotify I need it

[@sethstatonwatkins]

Soon!

[@travelingbandana]

💓💓💓💓💓

[@oneproudwelshman2567]

Can you do a welsh song, like Men of Harlech

[@persianprince6213]

nice

[@calebh7486]

First I love you Seth!!!

[@The_Republic_of_Ireland]

Valley of Knockanure? There's one well suited to your voice Seth boy

[@sethstatonwatkins]

Most definitely!

[@sarmajere2866]

I appreciate the historical contexts you include so very much! I appreciate you sharing this song even with your feelings about the historical figure. I really like the flow of this version of the song!

[@Ethan-md1jx]

Fuckin amazing Seth, love these rebel covers, id like to request you try a "Fenians of the rock" cover for me da, as his grandfather was a part of the Fenians depicted in the song

[@jacobwassegi1396]

Seth, if i may ask a question how does it feel for you singing about a man you don't admire? I mean you did a respectable job even tough you don't admire him i still feel the emotion of this song.

[@sethstatonwatkins]

It’s a beautiful tune and it’s easy enough for me to think of other heroes as I sing it. I will likely do a cover of Roddy McCorley as well which is the same melody, different man.

[@jacobwassegi1396]

Thank you for the respond just really big fan of your work😁

[@sethstatonwatkins]

Of course! Thanks for commenting!

[@Rrss369]

Your tenor harmony.… beautiful

[@angelarkcosplay4046]

can you do waltzing Matilda i feel like you could bring something new to that great song

[@persianprince6213]

Could you do "Patriot Game" it's an awesome rebel tune!

[@sethstatonwatkins]

I’ll add it to the list!

[@persianprince6213]

@@sethstatonwatkins Thank you, it's going to be awesome!

[@johndevlin4318]

Patriot game was about o’hanlon, the one one mentioned in this song.

[@caffeinatedgamer.4576]

Have you heard the song "Free and Green"? I'd love to hear you sing it! That or Sniper's Promise!

[@persianprince6213]

both are awesome!

[@thomasdaly583]

Please sing streets of New York

[@persianprince6213]

great rec

[@jillian1138]

It says something about just how awful the English were in Ireland that even knowing Sean South was a right wing Catholic anti-semite, I can't help but sing along whenever I hear this. Thank you for embracing the (sometimes painful) contradictions that usually arise when oppressed people fight back against their oppressors, because ignoring the contradictions only prolongs the suffering they cause. I think the best way to show admiration for problematic heroes is to acknowledge their flaws, celebrate their triumphs, and strive to be better than they were. It's what I hope that future generations will do for us - take the work our generation has done to help the peoples of the world live free and build on it - but also take the time to fix whatever mistakes we make that we just don't see. I hope they admire us for what we do right and love us enough to not carry on making the same mistakes we did out of a misguided sense of loyalty. And so that's how I try to treat all of the fighters who are my heroes. Thank you so, so much for the tunes. They are a bright spot and a wonderful comfort in a world grown increasingly bleak.

[@sethstatonwatkins]

Well said

[@totallynotalpharius2283]

Cover of Corb Lunds “Student Visas” would be dope

[@persianprince6213]

most definitely would be!

[@WaynettePorter]

Last week's video (well the description) mentioned it was coming I believe.

[@totallynotalpharius2283]

@@WaynettePorter *breathes heavily* my god That whole record is amazing

[@WaynettePorter]

@@totallynotalpharius2283 Definitely. First Corb Lund album I heard. Bonus is my kiddo likes it too!

[@sethstatonwatkins]

When I get back to my studio!

[@thebullfrog9416]

Could you do the man from the daily mail please

[@persianprince6213]

Ah, 3rd comment, didn't get here right away this time

[@mattiasfaldt1725]

irish wearing Tor´s hammer ???

[@mattiasfaldt1725]

@@emilyanderson3031 hur blir man det??