The Wind that Shakes the Barley - LYRICS

The song is written from the perspective of a doomed young Wexford rebel who is about to sacrifice his relationship with his loved one and plunge into the cauldron of violence associated with the 1798 rebellion in Ireland. The references to barley in the song derive from the fact that the rebels often carried barley oats in their pockets as provisions for when on the march. This gave rise to the post-rebellion phenomenon of barley growing and marking the "croppy-holes", mass unmarked graves which slain rebels were thrown into, symbolising the regenerative nature of Irish resistance to British rule.
As requested by Aidan & Tomás :)
Author: Robert Dwyer Joyce (1836 - 1883) - a poet and professor of English Literature born in Limerick, Ireland
Album: "Irish Roses: Women of Celtic Song"
Performed by: Rowena Taheny, Carlyle Fraser, Laurel MacDonald & Eleanor McCain
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[@m.mairenishuilleabhain6298]

3:13 typo: where I feel soon may follow

[@wintersking4290]

Isn't it supposed to be full soon like quickly

[@Steampunkfox143]

@Winter's King no it's "Where I full soon will follow"

[@rebfurr3554]

full soon is what I hear

[@johnfortune3432]

"Where I full soon will follow " is the original lyrics. Also, where's the 4th verse?

[@bearynice4784]

I think it is where I fear soon may follow

[@arielstrong1229]

Something about Irish and Nordic folk music makes my heart ache for a home I've never had

[@puurnoesje4815]

Maybe your soul... Is calling u home ✨

[@bearynice4784]

pick one, or both, we would welcome you...and make you cake

[@yesiam4610]

Home is family, family is home… Talk to someone brother, even a stranger.

[@stepanuseduart]

Halloween party is stories in the Celtic. 1:09

[@aliyah85]

Oh man irish music is a whole new level..it always makes me so nostalgic and emotional.. Love the country, the culture, the people and the music !! Greetings from germany!

[@cmk1309]

I´m from Germany as well and I think the country, the culture, the people, the music and the language are so much more beautiful than ours. Even though Germandy has beautiful nature as well...

[@user-ys5yv2nz6w]

@@cmk1309 Germany is just as great as Ireland, no culture is better than anyone elses. 👍🇩🇪

[@loupitchachacha8707]

@@user-ys5yv2nz6w I think so! I am French and Swiss, I love both Germany and Ireland!

[@caolangordon8167]

Love to Germany from Ireland 🇮🇪 ❤️🇩🇪

[@johnmcgurk1690]

@@cmk1309 I'm from Ireland and lived in Germany when I was younger. I love the country, the music, the food and beer (Bergkirchweih!) And always wish we had that type of festival here. As I get older I just learn to appreciate every country for what it is / what it has and respect them for it

[@windyellis8292]

Irish, Russian, and Scandinavian music has so much emotion and passion and feeling-it kills me.

[@karlocizmesija5637]

croatian also

[@enna3526]

Slavic songs in general I’d say

[@vielplaysdagames2298]

I would say just songs about war in general are of a different caliber

[@brioche8123]

Idk too much about Irish history but this song is definitely going to make me do a deep dive into their history. Very sad and melancholic. Very moving.

[@kittydream_4717]

Pretty much all of irish history is really sad, funny thing is it was never taken over by the romans like old Britain used to be. I think i herd some irish KZbinrs say they didn't colonize it because the land and weather was shit. Then they can issues trying to control the irish waters later on

[@mrowepat]

The brits have tried to claim Ireland since 1169. A very sad story.

[@brioche8123]

@@mrowepat seems to be a pattern with them…

[@eyllengul]

'' But harder still to bear the shame of foreign chains around us... ''

[@MayushiiGaming]

lol lol trrttrrtt

[@GillRant]

#bars

[@Lee_Enfield95]

😓

[@monsieurcondottiero2685]

🇮🇪 ✊ 🇵🇸

[@drljanlaza]

Find some Serbian songs from ww1

[@GermanicJennifer]

This is the most tenderly beautiful version of the song I’ve heard

[@boodle4960]

Gave all 3 of my kids Irish names and I’m not even Irish. Just love it. Greetings from Texas

[@Machihekamake]

So timelessness in her voice and strings. Beautiful is not enough to describe.

[@louisiananlord17]

Love this song so much! Love it more when my wife sings it to me! Irish strong! 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🍀🍀

[@MsNinabm]

Beautiful song, might translate it into Icelandic to sing in Irish days held in my hometown Akranes in July

[@subinsabu1543]

Hi

[@patrickbyrne3017]

What is "Irish days" if you don't mind me asking?

[@MsNinabm]

@@patrickbyrne3017 irish settlement is said to have taken place in my home town Akranes, Iceland. We celebrate that every year with a little festival.

[@patrickbyrne3017]

@@MsNinabm oh OK then

[@dd1607]

@@MsNinabm Thats cool af

[@shouvikghosh8946]

Such a beautiful song......... - from a non-Irish..!!

[@heikkijhautanen4576]

Love to my celtic brethren from Finland!!!

[@fightback397]

First time i hear it . It made cry . So much tenderness and such a piercing pain . Love it .

[@bearynice4784]

she is using a version of keening,it's a way to express grief,that is why you felt sad or cried...you were moved to grief by it because that is t's purpose and the sad music helps...

[@jameskelly8782]

Also read the Seamus Heaney poem "Requiem for the Croppies" included in the collection "Door into the Dark" (Pub. 1969)

[@melrosemiss]

And listen to the long version of Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy’s Four Hreen Fields, prefaced by Heaney’s poem.

[@megamega362]

So beautiful so poignant makes my hairs stand on end, thank you.

[@coccinelle3723]

Touch the soul this song....

[@Japanthewoman]

I was enjoying this until she died 😭 Why does Irish folk music always have to be so beautiful *and* depressing!?

[@Rikki0]

Ireland is sometimes referred to as "the land of happy wars and sad songs".

[@joshuamusick1787]

@@Rikki0 "For they are the race that God made mad, for all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad." -G.K. Chesterton

[@Rikki0]

@@joshuamusick1787 Thank you, Joshua. I never knew where that came from. Salute.

[@mollyr.goates8097]

Ireland has dealt with a lot in history.

[@The_Republic_of_Ireland]

@Shadow Raven Studios the singers other half. She was shot and died in his arms

[@macedonian]

Freedom to Ireland!!

[@hollyw9566]

No surrender.

[@jenniferhussey8531]

Amen let you love everything I need you

[@Gwenobbie]

Thanks for all those video i'm hugely enjoying them!

[@emmamayo9154]

Such a sad song...

[@isathebell]

Wow! I didn't know this version, and I loved it. The version I know is the one that Lisa Gerrard used to sing acapella. And some of the words were different as well as some parts of the melody. Both are beautiful!! Thanks for posting this one!

[@kadella]

this is an incredibly beatiful version and i was brought here listening to Lisa Gerrard's singing which i had thought had no compare

[@elisecollierr]

i’m doing the dan davison choral arrangement with my school choir and it’s just beautiful i love this song so much

[@lydian1230]

"Life's young spring so early.." hits difderent

[@primrose4514]

Now thats a really heartbreaking song, even if one is interested about the history and the circumstances, how these verses came to life

[@The_Republic_of_Ireland]

Celtic Woman never disappoints

[@cathalodiubhain5739]

Gaelic, Celtic connection is linguistic we are no longer Celts according to historians and scholars. We actually have more Norse DNA than Celtic. We also have more Roman artifacts than Celtic. We also know that during the time of the Celts supposedly arriving in Ireland there is no change in culture before, during or after that time period.

[@Skyebright1]

@@cathalodiubhain5739 no the musical group is called Celtic Woman

[@bocklinskitten4335]

thanx sooooo much , I need to sing whenever I listen to this, and thanx for the information, too

[@christineelizabethhorner5829]

I love this song

[@tullyfisher]

Very nice. Thanks.

[@TheFolkRevivalProject]

In case anyone's interested, all of these popular versions are probably based on this recording of the traditional singer Sarah Makem: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5jJoIWVm8uHY7s

[@lynnabao6082]

sooooo beautiful...

[@Louis-yp8pv]

Vraiment bonne musique à étudié en cours

[@uschiklee]

just wonderful

[@jayb7775]

this is not "The Wind that Shapes the Land" but I'm totally in.....

[@kuzzbillington6392]

One of my absolute favourite folk songs. I only wish I had the insight to understand it's meaning without reading the description. I guess I would have to have lived back then, and well, that's difficult I guess 🙄

[@bearynice4784]

what?you need it explained to you?some guy is in love but also loves his country and wants to free it more than ever because he is in love to give her a better future but she is killed and he keeps fighting knowing he will follow her soon anyway becaue he wan't's a better future for her?... it was probably a poem originally and not a song anyway

[@user-ld1bq1qo5g]

This song matches nicely with Ken Loach's movie.

[@dominusempyreus2383]

this version almost sounds like the background music to a noir film at some parts it's vaguely jazzy

[@prcelt]

Wish this was on Spotify

[@kontoculai6301]

The Windsor that shakes the barley

[@ajrwilde14]

the Vatican controlled corporation that is the City of London that shakes the Barley

[@davidredshaw448]

Does this story have any connection with that other folk song about the wind that shakes the barley which is also known as Elsie Marley?

[@erika7674]

That's wheat!

[@pandoratonks4429]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@m.mairenishuilleabhain6298]

that was an intentional (ehm...) easter egg for all undercover culchies (like myself) 🙈

[@pandoratonks4429]

@@m.mairenishuilleabhain6298 😂😂

[@harrietlyall1991]

👍Correct. Barley is often referred to poetically as "the bearded barley" because it has long whiskers growing from between the individual grains. Very distinctive and ummistakable. No whiskers = it's wheat, just as you say.

[@mvl6827]

Yes, reflects the intellect of the video makers and possibly the movie...

[@bobbyleahy9136]

Just asking if this is available on Spotify as I can’t seem to find it?

[@ahmedfarrag9006]

I remember the historical movie with the same name. All love to the freedom fighters. 🇮🇪 🇵🇸🍉

[@Nadinesen28]

Think about it ,its from the 19th century. Very old but very… Lovely.

[@Eponagirl0810]

❤️

[@ethanhawkins165]

Is this on spotify?

[@meeb2733]

Can you translate Tir Na Nog? Please.

[@m.mairenishuilleabhain6298]

I wouldn't know where to start, I'm sorry! In fact apart from the words "Tir na nÓg" there is no Irish in the lyrics. It's probably a phonetic transcription of Quenya or Sindarin (or whatever language Oonagh usually sings in!)

[@meeb2733]

Ok. Thanks for your answer.

[@patrickmcfadden1149]

Tir Nan Og.. is Irish for "land of the young". A mythical blessed place untouched by death or aging. Somewhere to the west of Erin.

[@pandoratonks4429]

I asked about that on my other account (S.K.B) as I love Celtic Woman too. Oonagh sings in German and Quenya (Tolkien's Elvish). I taught myself Sindarin and bits of Quenya a while back, but I didn't understand anything from Tír na nÓg. It means 'Land of Youth' (and several variations of that) and is also an Irish tale. One of my favourite tales actually. It's quite sad, but I'd definitely recommend looking it up. If I can remember any Elvish related to the song, I'll come back to this post and tell you.

[@williambrightman9970]

@@m.mairenishuilleabhain6298 probably a Celtic language still.

[@user-uz1mx2fl8z]

😔😭

[@billsikes1149]

im wondering if anyone to help me if they know alot about irish folk music. A few years ago i found this song on youtube of a male singer i have never heard of and his name was not in the description but all i can tell you is that the picture for the youtube video was of an old IRA poster from the 70's/80's (i think) and he was pointing an arma-lite gun towards the right and the background was red withe the title word at the top that said "resistance". i know its abit of a random thing to ask but i have know choice now but to ask the youtube public if anyone could send me in the right direction, i've literally been pulling my hair out for ages now searching the internet to find but i cant. Please some one help!. Kindest Regards, Jake.

[@ajrwilde14]

why don't you search through your previously viewed videos on youtube until you find it

[@billsikes1149]

@@ajrwilde14 i thought that but the video has been removed

[@invhest77]

Who’s the artist?

[@m.mairenishuilleabhain6298]

Laurel MacDonald, Rowena Taheny, Eleanor McCain & Carlyle Fraser :)

[@cheekybob1971]

I'm here after reading One Day In My Life.

[@yannsteunou-murray9401]

Can you please do Ar Soudared ar Gwisket ar Ruz or another breton song?

[@m.mairenishuilleabhain6298]

Yann Steunou-Murray I'd love to, Breton folk music is beautiful! I don't speak Breton though, I would need someone to help me!

[@yannsteunou-murray9401]

lyricstranslate.com/en/ar-soudarded-zo-gwisket-e-ruz-soldiers-are-dressed-red.html this is a great translation!

[@m.mairenishuilleabhain6298]

Yann Steunou-Murray thanks :)

[@pandoratonks4429]

I just came from that song 😂. I'm currently teaching myself Gaeilge and Scottish Gaelic, but I'd love to learn Breton too. Any idea of any good dictionaries/books/DvD's? I'm currently just using the internet.

[@esthersalle9456]

@@pandoratonks4429 Brezhoneg, Buan Hag Aes might be a good book. Otherwise you have the music... Also, I've spoken to a bunch of people in south bretange who speak breton as a first language. I'm learning breton and Scottish Gaelic because that's where my ancestors come from.

[@ConejoZing]

Gae Dearg, the spear of Dia.

[@stefcrystalscrystals5930]

Who is the artist singing please. Its a gorgeous voice

[@ajrwilde14]

Celtic Woman

[@thekingofelfland3294]

Read the bottom of the description

[@ginraiii]

Nobody here from the raven cycle? The dream thieves chapter 20 Blue mentioned it really randomly Thanks blue.

[@nucderpuck]

Sorry to be a stickler, but that's a wheat field... Barley has a more lyrical shape, just like the sound of the word.

[@jackdaw6095]

I think they mentioned it was an Easter egg or something done intentionally in a reply

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

I've heard a fiddle tune with the same name but a different melody; is anyone familiar with it?

[@NiennaFan1]

"The Maid Who Sold Her Barley" has the same melody?

[@eoinnofallamhain8936]

Yes i know the piece, i could send it to you if you would like @ocareening

[@seanboyd2898]

While it would involve changing the gender in last verses, listening to this version had me picturing a two part song with a male voice singing the first part, switching to a female voice at "a bullet peirced my true love's side."

[@win_cole]

isn't the lady the one supposed to die? And then her lover avenges her...?

[@seanboyd2898]

Yes. It is why I mentioned that you would have to switch the gender references in the last few verses. This really has nothing to do with "political agenda" and everything to do with the mental image conjured with listening to a female singer sing the song. Without changing the song at all, listening to the song with this singer as the narrator makes it two women. Once again, this is more of the image conjured by listening to this version of the song, nothing to do with changing the song for the sake of change.

[@jackdaw6095]

@@seanboyd2898 I hear it more as some bastard hearing a baby cry and shooting it in the mother’s arms

[@Skyebright1]

@@seanboyd2898 love could be family, she could have a daughter

[@atk28oman70]

🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉💕💕💕

[@alexburks860]

I prefer the more simple Clancy Brother's rendition, but a beautiful performance nonetheless!

[@williamwallace234]

Not sure I get it, first he’s leaving to fight the English, and leaving her home but then how did she get shot and not him?

[@win_cole]

the English were everywhere. He leaves to join the rebels, who had to hide away in order to fight, but the English fought 'legally' on Irish soil, anywhere they liked.

[@lafkalaf6374]

He hadn't left yet, he was sitting with her to tell her he would be leaving on the next morning when she was shot.

[@win_cole]

@Michael Halligan yeah, you're right, poor choice of words

[@Rr-sn7hp]

Why is isn’t this version on Spotify

[@beamerball666]

Asking the real questions

[@marcroigcebrian]

🇨🇮👍

[@vivek5420]

Singer?? aka Who is singing this song?

[@Kaadilac]

Look at the description, where the artist is usually listed.

[@merrituber1]

Patty Gurdy should ye find this

[@seanhartnett79]

Agreed.

[@unyaelzemim2138]

Andrew❤❤❤❤❤💋💋💋💋💋💋

[@xxliebhott2932]

Could you do a cover of kukushka but in your style i think it could be so beautiful

[@gbeverly0002]

if you want a better version, look for Dead Can Dance

[@minbee5849]

Thanks for the reference. Went to kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJylgpqdh6eke7s and singer's voice has more depth.

[@jackfletcher1000]

The Yeomans not the foemans

[@cathalodiubhain5739]

Go hiontach ar fad....Cumhachtach

[@NiennaFan1]

....I thought this said Cumberbatch at first

[@cathalodiubhain5739]

@@NiennaFan1 Cumhachtach means powerful as in the words of the song...

[@ayyuh2200]

My house ................ it's made out of barely

[@ajrwilde14]

saddest song ever

[@jasonlopez6062]

I know I gotta be the only one who found his way here from killarmy lol.

[@traceybracy270]

Just watched the movie. So unbelievably sad. The British back then really sucked!!

[@bearynice4784]

just back then?lol

[@nazwaaml9364]

Nyasar dari lagu chenle

[@ayyuh2200]

Órthcraft song

[@peter_-pd4mh]

History info:The civil war in Ireland.

[@lad8802]

This is about the 1798 Rebellion not the Irish Civil War

[@Skyebright1]

The civil war was in 1922

[@madmesh978]

Dna 153

[@lydian5688]

I sure hope this doesn’t awaken anything in me,,

[@angelitadavila118]

I shouldn’t be laughing at being the 666th like but it’s late and I should be more mature then this but oh well 😂 Absolutely Gorgeous song though 💖

[@stonewing3119]

The fact that it's a female singer who is singing about her female lover makes my little gay heart happy lmao

[@jackdaw6095]

It’s about her baby daughter “love” is a kinda broad term

[@thewinterjule]

I like hat there aren't pronouns for the narrator but there are for the lover so with a female singer its a lesbian couple

[@bearynice4784]

seriously?it's a song about freedom from being ruled and enslaved by another Country not sexuality or gayness🙄 this is why support for you people is dwindling fecking pronouns and shite like your comment