Saints and scholars, bairds, poets, singer songwriters keep the history in word and music. Never let it go. 🇮🇪

The barley continues to grow. Tommy and liam , absolute legends ❤

That was beautiful. He was at school with my mother. She still says he always came to school with a patch on the arse of his trousers, because people were poor at that time. My sister was with him on his last tour here. Anyway, he had a great life, brought Irish Music to the world and was a very special person. RIP. Tommy and Liam.

I forgot how good they were and a pure undiluted irish voice genuine and outstanding

My Mother's favourite song but tonight I remember my brother who lost his life today in a car accident..im not a religious man but I hope our mother is waiting for you today..God bless you Mike john

I always think I'll make it through this song without crying, then the line comes around "my sons have sons..." and the waterworks start. I first heard this at a Pittsburgh Irish festival sung by Tommy Makem himself. By the end of the concert, my cheeks were chapped from the tears.

Look at the emotion in his eyes when he sings ... this is more than a folk song, it's a love song ...

Rest in peace, Tommy and Liam. Ulster will bloom green again one day. The day is closer now than ever.

Only the great, Tommy Makem , could write this song and sing it with the heart to express its meaning. God Bless Tommy. Rest In Peace

I remember saying as a younger man that Tommy taught me more about being Irish than anyone else. Even though face to face I could barely understand his Brogue. DNA test says my roots are all in Ireland 100%, but raised in Pittsburgh, Pa. USA O'Halloran/O'Malley etc.

This is probably one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard. What a wonderful way to paint a picture of history.

There is nothing on the planet to touch this song ,,,, corcaigh abu ,,,,,,,,,,

Our heritage is filled with such sorrow. But at my old age, I wonder if everyone else’s is too. I am of Irish heritage, but American to my core and proud of what we have done for others. So much young American blood has seeped into the soil of Europe. But I think they have forgotten.

I was in my teens when I saw them at a hall in the Chicago area with my folks. Of course, as a teen I wasn't interested....however....when they played this song...I could not stop crying for the entire rest of the show.....their power to stir a cryptic teenager speaks volumes. I saw them several times more and luckily once in Ireland in 1977 and became a lifelong fan. This is our theme song every March 17th for our family St. Patrick's gathering, rightfully so. RIP Gentlemen & thanks.

A poem by Seamus Heaney and a song by Tommy Makem, doesn't get much more Irish than this...

We will never hear the likes of this again. It’s haunting.

im not irish or anything, but i looove this song, respect to those who were oppressed by the brits

Honest to God, I thaught this song was an ancient song, it is in every Irish heart xxxxx

I've always loved this song and heard Tommy sing it more times than i could count. But like liam says, Many think it's a Traditional song. I am one of those people. I didn't realise Tommy wrote this himself. Thanks Tommy A Pair of Legends that will never die

I've heard this song performed many times by so many outstanding Irish singers yet no version is as powerful and heartfelt as this one.

Of ALL the MANY songs sung by The AWESOME Clancy and Makem, This is by far THE BEST SONG EVER!!!!!! Finbar Clancy of the Highkings does Tommy PROUD with it now!!!

Legendary. Cannot make it through without crying like most herel

I was raised on this music, especially this song. To this day I can still sing it and remember every lyric

Seamus Heaney's poem "Requiem For The Croppies" is what Tommy recited at the very beginning. Combining that with this song made a powerful statement. And may he and Liam rest in peace.

Thanks for uploading this. It is great. As a 32 year old Englishman, I had never heard this song until yesterday. It's very striking how little many of us in Britain learn, as we grow up, about (a) our crimes overseas, even if they are relatively recent or are ongoing, and even when they're not carried out on the other side of the world but in neighbouring countries, and (b) the way those on the receiving end of our aggression feel about it. And the interesting thing to me is that not only have I never heard of this song before now, my parents hadn't heard it either and nor had anyone I know, and not only that, in Britain we are largely shielded from the general sentiment expressed, namely the basic fact that most people in Ireland regard Ulster as Irish not British, and the fact that Irish people haven't forgotten that all of Ireland would be ruled by Britain if not for armed struggle. I remember that when the Good Friday agreement was signed, the British news media reported, as a sort of aside, that the Irish government had relinquished its territorial claim over Ulster, which was striking to me because, like any English person who relied on the British news media for information, I had no idea that the sovereignty of Ulster had until then been in dispute between the British and Irish governments. We had been given the impression that it was just a rag tag bunch of terrorist thugs that wanted us out, rather than, as was the case, the vast majority of the population of Ireland and their elected government. People in Britain do not understand how those whose counties we invade and whose land we occupy feel about it, and this song should be played in British classrooms because it makes it crystal clear. It is also absolutely beautiful. It's obvious why our leaders don't want us to know. We would feel exactly the same if our island was invaded and occupied. To empathise is the most natural thing in the world, which is why the media in Britain has to be so careful to make sure we're not exposed to this sort of thing.

liam and tommy were two of the best great version of this fine song happy st patricks day to everone irish or not

God bless Ireland, Scotland and the good folk across the pond.

Yes, this is the best rendition I've found online of this very powerful ballad. We were fortunate enough to see Tommy Makem in concert in Manchester, NH in a high school auditorium with excellent acoustics. I sobbed like a child throughout this song, felt as if I must look silly. But when I looked up at the end... there were tears streaming down Tommy's face. After he retired he lived in Dover, NH and was good friends with Vincent Lawless, the Catholic priest assigned to University of NH, an exceptional person himself. I was at UNH, hanging out with other students every night during that time. Now I live in a small seaside community in Ireland near the town where the Clancy brothers grew up. And where Liam and Tom Clancy retired. Tom Clancy is buried here. There' are still lots of Clancys here, still making music and art.

We will have 4 green fields again, maybe not in my lifetime,,,, but , for the brave Nationalists , Michael Divine and brothers in arms.

Makem is a poet. This is beyond beauty.

We've listened to so many 'songs of freedom' for years and years, this was always the song that simply told the story as it is. R.I.P. Tommy.

One of the greatest songs ever written.

Always love to hear Tommy recite this. The last line of the poem is actually 'And in August the barley grew up out of the grave.' Tommy changes it to 'But...' which to my ear changes the whole tone and meaning of the poem.

Ulster will bloom once again as the fourth green field of Ireland

What do I have, said the fine old woman What do I have, this proud old woman did say I have four green fields, each one was a jewel But strangers came and tried to take them from me I have fine strong sons, who fought to save my jewels They fought and they died, and that was my grief said she Long time ago, said the fine old woman Long time ago, this proud old woman did say There was war and death, plundering and pillage My children starved, by mountain, valley and sea And their wailing cries, they shook the very heavens My four green fields ran red with their blood, said she What have I now, said the fine old woman What have I now, this proud old woman did say I have four green fields, one of them's in bondage In stranger's hands, that tried to take it from me But my sons had sons, as brave as were their fathers My fourth green field will bloom once again said she

The great Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy! RIP boys!

Aside from all the other astounding qualities of this performance and recording, the camera work at 2:56 is excellent. Refocusing on Liam's face as he looks contemplatively at Tommy... so moving.

Beautiful ... I only have love in my heart for the Irish people, as an Englishman I only wish they can find peace and forgiveness with time ...

This song always brings tears as I listen to Tommy Makem what a wonderful job he does thank You Tommy RIP

First time I head this song was in 1983 in Portland maine at Pete Kelly's Irish Village Pub on Commercial Street it was sung by a group called Harvest home that's I fell in love with Irish music

Definitely the finest version of this song.

Heard this with my mother and my aunt at a Clancy Brothers concert in 1968 in Boston. This song made an impression on me though I was only 18.

Absolutely wonderful! This version, with the beautiful recitation of Seamus Heaney's moving poem, is certainly one of Tommy's best.

I had this as my wedding song in 1984

God rest both their beloved souls. - Blessings - Rene

Still brings a tear to my eyes and a lump in my throat. Was priveliged to see the lads at the Harp n Bard Danvers Mass. Bless you boys RIP

WOW such a powerfull song performed by two of the greatest, absolutely beautiful made my hair stand up WOW

I have been a fan of the clancys since the 1960, s and saw them in Newcastle. This song still sends a shiver down my spine.

Absolutely beautiful capture of aging

A truly magnificent rendering. Makem and Clancy truly were remarkable.

I was but a nipper but my mom and dad brought me to this concert as they did with Johnny McEvoy and the Dubliners . They loved Ireland, they loved life and they loved their children. Glad to be irish . RIP Mam and Dad .

It takes the man that wrote the song to sing the song , brings me back to the first night he sang it , fantastic , rip 🙏🇮🇪

Heartfelt Tommy ....and what a voice....I think it is made more genuine by the fact he was a Nordie and it is good to know that Irish traditions were kept alive with Irish Ulstermen ,while the South looked away in shame......

goosebumps. i wish i could have seen them live.

And their wailing cries...... they reached the very heavens.

2 dislikes, really have no idea as to what talent is on that stage, and now sing with Gods choir, the like will never again be seen x

These gentlemen are as Irish as the gusting blusters off the Atlantic that lash the Connemara coast with the water without whisky

My heart is breaking. Erin fore ever. Grew up with this song and always thought it was older.

This is my favourite. CLASS.

Many have sung this true ballad in essence the story of Ireland... But this rendition is THE ONE in my opinion. Tommy is not singing from vocal chords but FROM HIS Heart... Brilliant song written by himself. As for Liam my Daddy is from Carrick so he's special to me eternally thank you 'lads' for everything. RIP

Love this song great Irish singer RIP 🙏

I for one will never forget what they did to us for 700 years.

Best performance of a song I have ever witnessed. Portland. Eastland. Acapella. So amazing and very similar to this one. Passion. Lyrics. Voice. Wow.

Gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Tommy sang it to me at Marquette University when I was carrying my first child, and said he hoped my child never caused me the pain of this “woman”.

Having no horse in this race, being neither Irish nor English, I have been enchanted by this song for about fifty years now. No idea where I first heard it but way before the internet so I am guessing the radio. Introduced me to the history of the conflict which was thriving when I was in college and more importantly to the singer.

So simple in its beauty that it speaks volumes of complexity to what was happening at the time. As a Canadian who loves all things Irish this is always deeply moving . My nephew married an Irish lass , once on the shores of Sylvan Lake , Alberta and the other in a wonderful old church outside of Belfast near the town of Magherafelt. My wife and I babysit their daughter and they now live in Calgary. Peter behind my Judy.

If ever a song told the entire sorry lament of our nation ,it's this one , and now we're near our freedom it's even more poignant.

I saw them many a time in concert. A lifetime ago. They are gone now, most of the Dubliners are gone; Hang in there Christy.

I saw the Clancy’s in Boston in the 60’s. I think it was one of the first times Tommy sang it. I’ve never forgotten that performance.

What 8 idiots gave this a thumbs down! It's incredible.

A great performance of a great song. Bless you boys

That is just beautiful,now I know why my dad loved them back in the 70,s

I have no words that give this enough

I love that he merges right from poetry into the song.

I will be singing this song at the Tupelo Hall in Londonderry, NH on Sunday. I have never sung in public before. I choose this song because it's such a passionate, emotional song. I will be on the very stage that Tommy himself sang this song. I hope I can channel him

I dare anyone to listen to this and not cry 😢

As SPennell, below, I have listened to this song hundreds of times. On this particular video, what is notable is Liam's focus on Tommy.

None sings it better than the Bard of Armagh 🇨🇮

My parents ( crazy Irish.. murphys) loved this song and introduced it to me. Long Live the strong Irish!!

Rest in Peace 🙏 both of you.

As a Wexford man this song makes me feel very proud of the great sacrifices we made for our freedom now with brexit we must answer our country's call again

This is such a beautiful song. I first heard it sung by the "Irish Brigade" whom I would go and listen to every time they were in town. This is such a moving rendition, I love it. Thank you for uploading!

Americans can't really understand this song unless they understand the lies they have been told about the Irish famine that brought so many Irish to America and as exposed in Cecil Woodham Smith's classic book "The Great Hunger". Smith has never been forgiven by members of the British establishment for exposing the fact that Ireland produced far more food than necessary to feed itself during "the potato famine" as shown by her careful documentation of British shipping records from Irish and British ports of sail from the early 1800s.

The soul of the Celt. Our music

The truth will always out, not always as a beautiful song like this , but out it will ,ask bobby sands, james connelly and every volunteer who paid with their lives to fight for Irish freedom, if a nations suffering is the price to pay for freedom, then the Irish have paid in full, And then some.

I remember the first time I saw that particular set, it was in the Opera House in Cork. The hairs stood up on my head, and that's saying something because I'd just had a number one haircut for a parade on the following Monday.

Absolutely wonderful. Brings tears to my eyes everytime.

This is a song that my Mum asks me to play for Her, and always makes us both shed a tear, God Bless You Dad, Beidh ar la linn mo chara Henry Delaney 17-11-2013

Tommy Makem wrote this Ishling while waiting at a british army check point in South Armagh, bless him.

The primary vocalist looks like he could be Simon Pegg's father. 😮😮 I love Simon Pegg as Scotty!! 😁❤

Every tine I discover a song I haven't heard by Clancy and Makem I am impressed anew. So much soul and sincerity and sorrow.

is there a grater song to remember a time in our history

Brilliant! Tommy Makem caputured so much in the lyrics of this song. Makem and Clancy went through the motions in many a song, but when it came to the business end of the song list - there was no-one better! Never underestimate the brilliance of this duo. The subtle things like Liam looking in a sombre way at Tommy when the poignant lyrics were sung so majestically by Tommy should never go unoticed - simply beautiful....

Both these incredible troubadours are gone and the world is much the poorer because of it! Thank you and RIP Liam & Tommy!

The poem at the start is especially touching. It's not just the singing these two did, but the storytelling as well, that is what makes it so magical. They invoke such strong emotions of love, loss and compassion. These songs and these stories are wells of humanity, which to draw from when life hits you at it's hardest. Thank you Tommy and Liam, I shall return.

Such emotion on Tommy’s face. Very moving performance

This song makes me cry every single time I hear it. Just beautiful. And given the recent events with #Brexit, could Irish reunification be on the horizon?

i have listened to tommy makem for 40 years absolutely marvellous .i will listen to his sons now

My da used to sing this when we were kids, really loud and off key to make us laugh. Whenever he'd start "fouuuuur greeeeeen fieeeeeldsss" we'd all be like NOOOOOOOO DA NOOOOOOO! Good times :D

And they think , we will ever forget ???