Why do Liverpool fans sing Fields of Athenry?

Fields of Anfield Road is a signature song for Liverpool fans to sing at home in Anfield and on the road, almost as famous as the club's anthem, Never Never Walk Alone, and a must-read song collection d & # 39; Anfield.

But as well known as the song, its roots belong to Ireland – Kop's favorite has been adapted from the famous Irish folk song Fields of Athenry.

So why are Liverpool fans singing it and what was the original Irish song about? Goal take a look at it.

Why do Liverpool fans sing Fields of Athenry?

Like what usually happens with great football songs, the anthem has been adapted from a lesser-known song, the newer and more popular football version attracting more and more international attention .

After all, Never Never Walk Alone was originally a showpiece of the 1945 Rodgers & Hammerstein musical carousel, but made famous in the world of football by the Merseybeat band Gerry & the Pacemakers in 1963.

The original folk song on which Fields of Anfield Road is based, Fields of Athenry, was written and composed in the 1970s by Irish folk singer-songwriter Pete St. John. The song was recorded for the first time in 1979 by Danny Doyle and reached the top 10 of the Irish singles chart.

It takes place during the great Irish famine in the nineteenth century and follows a fictional man named Michael, originally from Athenry, County Galway, who was sentenced to be transported to Australia to punish the theft of food for his hungry family.

The song became synonymous with Irish sporting events, having been popularized by Irish football fans at the 1990 World Cup. It continues to be a favorite among Irish sports fans today. , especially during Munster Rugby matches.

In addition, it is also sung by fans of Celtic and the London Irish Rugby Union teams.

And of course, Fields of Anfield Road was picked up by Liverpool fans on the same tune and melody as the original folk song, with the lyrics changed to refer to their story and stage.

The lyrics were originally adapted by a Liverpool fan, Edward R Williams of Wallasey, and slowly progressed on the terraces of Anfield before becoming as famous as today.

In the song, Michael's character is replaced by former Reds iconic manager, Bill Shankly, and the verses refer to characters from Liverpool, Kenny Dalglish and Steve Heighway.

In 2009, a new version of the song was recorded and broadcast as a charity single to include a verse commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. John Power of Cast groups, The The of Liverpool, co-wrote the last verse. Phil Thompson and Bruce Grobbelaar, among others, also made vocal contributions.

Fields of Anfield Road lyrics

Outside the doors of Shankly
I heard a Kopite call
Shankly they took you
But you left a big eleven
Before going to paradise
It is now the glory around the fields of Anfield Road.

All around the fields of Anfield Road
Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and he could play)
We had Heighway on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
Glory around the fields of Anfield Road

Next to the Hillsborough Flame
I heard a kopite mourning
Why so many catches that day?
Justice has never been done
But their memory will continue
There will be glory around the fields of Anfield Road

Fields of Athenry lyrics

By a solitary prison wall,
I heard a young girl call
Michael they took you,
For stealing Trevelyn corn
So that young people can see in the morning,
Now, a prisoner ship is waiting in the bay

Low lie, the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched flying small free birds
Our love was on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing,
It's so lonely around the fields of Athenry

By a solitary prison wall
I heard a young man call
"Nothing counts Mary, when you will be free"
Against famine and the crown,
I rebelled, they beat me down
Now his solitude around the fields of Athenry

By a wall of lonely port
She watched the last star fall
As the prison ship sailed to the sky
Sure that she will live in hope and pray
For his love at Botney's Bay
It's so lonely around the fields of Athenry