With the exception of "Grace," which is about Grace Gifford Plunkett, I've never heard a song honoring the women of the Irish Revolution. And "Grace" is really more of a lament dwelling on the tragic circumstances of her romance and wedding. The awesome Countess Markievicz just had a statue unveiled in her honor. Surely a rousing song or two for her or Maude Gonne must be out there. Or bring it up a few decades: is there a song for Bernadette Devlin? Or is this subject open for tomorrow's songwriters?

Grace Gifford Plunkett

Countess Markievicz

"Grace" is an immense song. Defo one of my favourite songs. Not one of my fave rebel songs tho.

A southern California band called The Fenians will be doing their version of "Grace" on an upcoming album. If it captures the mood of their live performance of the song, it should be a good recording.

The Fenians

What are your favorite rebel songs?

Sean South/Roll of Honour/Go On Home British Soldiers
Eire Og

Merry Ploughboy/Auf Weidershen Crossmaglen/Tiocfaidh Ar La
Eire Og

Boys of the Old Brigade
Eire Og

Bring Them Home
Eire Og

Let The People Sing/Take It Down From The Mast/This Land is Your Land
Eire Og

Irish Soldier Laddie
Gary Og

Crossmaglen
Shebeen




Yourself?

I may need to add to this list if I think of others, but here's what came to mind so far:

Young Ned of the Hill
The Tossers

James Connolly
Black 47

Connaught Rangers
Wolfe Tones - but not necessarily that version

I've also been trying to learn more about the singing and songwriting of Dominic Behan, but only hear other people's versions of his songs. Recently heard just a tiny clip of Dominic himself used as music in a play - and always check for the album he recorded in used and rare record stores.

Hello in response to the women in rebel songs, there are a couple I can think of. One is The women of Cumann Na MBhan. Women also play a prominent role in The boys of Wexford. The captains daughter who says "A thousand pounds Ill give if you will fly away with me/Ill dress myself in mans atire and fight for liberty" Or "Henry Monroe" "Up came Monroes sister she was all dressed in green/ with a sword by her side that was both sharp and clean/ saying God save old Ireland and away she did go /Crying Ill have revenge for my brother Monroe".One other one that always gets to me is a song I heard the greyhan sisters do, "The Wexford Massacre" They stood around the cross devine the matron and the maid/ They bowed before redeptions sign and fervently they prayed/three hundred fair and helpless ones/whos crime was this alone their valient husbands sires and sons who battled for their own.

What about Bring Them Home?

"Well in the jail that held McSwinney, in the prison where he died. Lie two daughters of old Ireland, and they fill my hearts with pride."

Took me some time to find the lyrics, but this does look like a good song. Now the next challenge is finding a recording or hearing it sung:

The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan.

All honour to �Glaigh na h�ireann,
All praise to the men of our race,
Who, in day of betrayal and slavery,
Saved Ireland from ruin and disgrace.
But do not forget in your praising,
Of them and the deeds they have done,
Their loyal and true-hearted comrades,
The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan.

Chorus:
They stand for the honour of Ireland,
As their sisters in days that are gone,
And they'll march with their brothers to freedom,
The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan.

All honour to �Glaigh na h�ireann,
All praise to the men of our race,
Who, in day of betrayal and slavery,
Saved Ireland from ruin and disgrace.
But do not forget in your praising,
Of them and the deeds they have done,
Their loyal and true-hearted comrades,
The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan.

No great-hearted daughter of Ireland,
Who died for her sake long ago,
Who stood in the gap of her danger,
Defying the Sassenach foe,
Was ever more gallant or worthy,
Of glory in high sounding rann,
than the comrades of �Glaigh na h�ireann,
The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan!

O, high beat the hearts of our Mother,
The day she had longed for is nigh,
When the sunlight of joy and of freedom,
Shall glow in the eastern sky;
And none shall be honoured more proudly,
That morning by chieftan and clan,
Than the daughters who served in her danger,
The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan!

http://irelandsown.net/women2.html