The Boys of Barr na Sráide - Irish folk song.

The Boys of Barr na Sráide, written by poet and playwright Sigerson Clifford, first released as a song in the mid 1950s and later published in Cliffords "Ballads of a Bogman" in 1986, It speaks of his childhood friends hunting for the wren then growing up through the war of independence and later emigrating. The town he refers to in the song is Cahersiveen in Co.Kerry. Hunting the wren is an old tradition on St.Stepehens day the 26th of Dec.
Lyrics below:
The town it climbs the mountain and looks upon the sea,
At sleeping time or waking, sure its there I long to be,
To walk again those kindly streets, where first my life began,
With the boys of Barr na Sráide, who hunted for the wren.
With cudgels stout we roved about, for to hunt the grey dreólín,
We looked for birds in every furze from Litir to Dooneen,
We jumped for joy beneath the sky, life held no print or plan,
for the boys of Barr na Sráide, hunting for the wren.
And when the hills were bleeding and the rifles were aflame,
To the rebel homes of Kerry the Saxon stranger came.
But the men who dared the Auxies and fought the Black-and-Tan,
Were once boys of Barr na Sráide, hunting for the wren.
But now they toil on foreign soil, where they have made their way.
Deep in the heart of London town and over in Broadway.
And I am left to sing their deeds and praise them while I can,
Those boys of Barr na Sráide, who hunted for the wren.
So here's a health to them tonight, those men who laughed with me,
By the groves of Carham river and the slope of Bean 'a Tí.
John Daly and Batt Andy’s and the Sheehans, Con and Dan,
And the boys of Barr na Sráide who hunted for the wren.
And when the wheel of life runs down and peace comes over me,
Just lay me down near that old town between the hills and sea.
I'll take my place in those green fields, where first my life began,
With the boys of Barr na Sráide who hunted for the wren

[@bs6028]

An aside. I'm 80 in a few weeks time. Recently Sue, my wife got me a DNA Test. I was born on Teesside England, migrated to Australia 50 yrs ago. I am a dual citizen.......... But my DNA came in at 97% from around the Cork area. My mother's maiden name was BOYLE.😃 I play and still sing Irish music, badly now the voice is clapped out. ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR MUSIC.

[@persianprince6213]

You should do a colab with Seth Staton Watkins, or Colm Mcguiness. You're just as awesome! ❤

[@GoldenDog16]

Should get Eddie Kane to sing! He's Amazing. I have been fortutate enough to meet him. Going to see the Young Wolfe Tones again in a couple months.

[@paulinemeehan8123]

Great singer. 🇮🇪👏👏👏

[@patriciaharkin1571]

You have such a lovely voice Paddy.

[@LonesomeTraveler]

Agreed!

[@mcginleysfrolics9121]

Listened to this 10 times since yesterday Paddy...amazing 👍👍Mick McGinley

[@michelleMc2024]

Beautiful rendition of a beautiful song. GRMA

[@fabfin]

Great cover, The Galtee Mountain Boy would suit you too. best from another Boyle (Donegal version!)

[@BridgetBoyle-r6c]

Brilliant song beautifully sang, so proud of you and ur talent

[@johnwaters5583]

Marvellous rendition of a beautiful song.

[@LonesomeTraveler]

This is great, great stuff. Wonderful! VERY well done.

[@_Tabasco]

Beautiful version of this song

[@persianprince6213]

This is Amazing! Thank you for singing this! You are so underrated!

[@Fi88442]

Beautiful ☘️ ❤

[@stuart5107]

Beautiful 👏

[@ronanbarry4208]

Class👍

[@seanprenderville8946]

Haunting!!! Love it ❤❤❤

[@mckirrane4160]

Beautiful 💚❤️ 🇮🇪 🎶 ☘

[@paulmathews7021]

Beautiful voice Paddy. Do I detect a light South Armagh/ North Louth accent.

[@moanwhite9100]

Unreal!!!

[@stringsman12345]

Have played this song for many years, with many great singers. I love the intention of your rendition - much respect - cheers from Holland, peter. ( you upwhere from the north ? )

[@dominikpokorny]

Beautiful song and performance 👏👏 May I ask what DAW and plugins you use?