The Rocks of Bawn - Irish Folk Song

An Irish folk song about the hardship and hopelessness of trying to farm on poor land, I always thought it was a Cavan song although there seems to be debate about that.
Here is a link to an article i found tracing the origins of the song.
it's likely to be from the 1700s.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/cl...
Im not sure where i heard it first but this is the way i learned it.
Lyrics below;
Come all you loyal heroes wherever you might be
Don’t hire with any master till you know what your work will be
For he will rise you in the morning from the clear daylight till dawn
And you never will be able for to plough the Rocks of Bawn
My shoes they are well worn, my stockings they are thin,
My heart is always trembling for fear they might give in,
My heart is always trembling from the clear daylight till dawn,
im afraid i wont be able for to plough the rocks of Bawn.
Oh, rise up lovely Sweeney and give your horse some hay
and give him out a feed of oats before you start the day
Don’t feed him on soft turnips, take him to yon green lawn
or you never will be able for to plough the Rocks of Bawn
Well, my curse upon you Sweeney, you have me nearly robbed
you’re sitting by the fire side with your dúidín in your gob
Sitting by the fire side from the clear daylight till dawn
And you never will be able for to plough the Rocks of Bawn
Oh I wish the Queen of England would send for me in time
And place me in some regiment all in my youth and prime
And I’d fight for Ireland’s glory from the clear daylight till dawn
And I never will return again for to plough the Rocks Of Bawn

[@marymorrissey980]

It Was My Fathers Favourite Song. He Is Still Singing In Heaven.

[@dannymc7741]

Well done Paddy great version. I heard this sung on the building sites of England in the 1960's, jump on Murphy's lorry at 6.30am outside Camden Town station. Never knew where you were going or what your work would be, just a guarantee it would be hard, in the cold and rain, no health and safety in those days.

[@martingalligan832]

Veŕÿ good but had all the irìsh had to leave Ireland 🇮🇪 to find work all over the world went to the USA in 74 married à lovely ❤girl from kildàre we both retired about 4 hrs ago all our plans for our retirement small hours in florida sold our house ìn nj got the home place in càvàn kilnaleck plans were all made spend the winters in florida and the rest ìn cavan and kìldare all set sold the house in nj my wife was on cloud moving done and all my wife took sick on Sunday she died on Monday I'm heartbroken she was beautiful god rest her beautiful soul I'm in̈ florida and a beautiful little black dog wè rescued I think t think I will move back to kilnàleck Martin Galligan

[@heronaddict2]

@@martingalligan832 very sad to read this Martin, I wish you comfort

[@eugenetoner9850]

The best talent in Ireland for a generation. Fair play till ya Paddy.

[@jacquelineodea5097]

Time ❤is 2024 x my god in the late seventies,my dad fiddle and concertina player along with his players x his friend John used to sing this heartfelt song. Thats when Irish broke there backs for little pay .. No hard, hats, no ear protection, no fancy footwear x my dad rip x up and down ladder with bags of cement on his back........

[@chrisgocksch]

Beautiful version. Love the northern lilt with this tune...

[@MrOriordan]

Great rendition.

[@raoulduke4366]

Very well done indeed Paddy , giving it your personal impression beautifully , without fcking it up like some jinnets on on here . Good man yourself .

[@markkavanagh4457]

That gave me goosebumps, another incredible rendition of an amazing song, Yourself and Mary Keenan sing this like angels on wings of honey in a sea of gold.. absolutely beautiful

[@patriciaharkin1571]

Ah Paddy, a good one. The rocks of Bawn, I always believed to be in Monaghan, St. Patricks church is built on one of Bawns rocks.

[@anthonymctigue9038]

THE ROCKS OF BAWN IS N CAVAN

[@KP-gi7kp]

Love your music Paddy. Thank you

[@japeireland]

Beautiful version of this song.

[@fabfin]

My granny used to sing this one!

[@JoshuaOLake]

So beautiful Paddy!! thank you so much for sharing!!!

[@michaeljordan3422]

Wow Brilliant Performance

[@eringobragh4997]

Great song

[@olliemoy8954]

Great version of this fantastic song..check out the original..Joe Heaney

[@aaronmatheny695]

Amazing.

[@kathleenprager7606]

Patricia...I heard the same..Bawn , Monaghan. It is also has the same air as the Maids of Magheracloone...

[@johnnywalsh7411]

This is class 👍

[@sharynward3703]

Brilliant 👏

[@glennabbott2606]

Very nice

[@seanclerkin6075]

Good stuff Paddy. I'm enjoying your music. Would you do a virs of Paul Brady's song called Arthur Mcbride

[@stephenswistchew7720]

No one can beat the Irish for tunes and singing they sing with their hearts first and foremost I’m Scottish but I prefer Irish music and songs first don’t get me wrong I like Scottish songs but being half Irish and half Scottish that I guess is why I like a wee drink but don’t like to pay for it it’s a n internal battle

[@stephenmcloughlin7718]

Scoti was the old Greek word for Ireland.

[@stephenswistchew7720]

@@stephenmcloughlin7718 also my nick name in Canada but so is every Scotsman here cheers mctavish

[@stephenswistchew7720]

@@stephenmcloughlin7718 the original Scot’s were Irish and funny enough my families are Mc gloughlins We might be related tell me we’re you real little when yo we’re born ? And were your parents mr and mrs mc gloughlin ? And do you come from Scotland?

[@johnmorrissey1675]

👏👏👏😌🇮🇪🪕