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.

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

[lunamae]

The old old songs truly are the best songs, and you sing every word with loving, understanding care

[eugenetoner]

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

[sc]

Lovely version Paddy. You are right in saying its about Bawn in Cavan (Parish of Mullahoran). My ggggrandfather John Sweeney wrote this song.

[marymorrissey]

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

[dannymc]

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.

[chrisgocksch]

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

[raoulduke]

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

[ShaneODonnell-od]

Class, my grandfather sang this song, wat a song sir 🍀🇮🇪👍

[jacquelineodea]

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

[markkavanagh]

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

[JoshuaOLake]

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

[patriciaharkin]

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.

[queenb]

I can't bring myself to ruin the 333 on the likes, but this is beautiful. Lyrics are carried so well

[olliemoy]

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

[kathleenprager]

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

[seanclerkin]

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

[stephenswistchew]

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

[kieranforde]

Came here after searching for the song, after watching the brilliant "A Taste of Indigestion" by Seamus O'Rourke