The lyrics to Boolavogue were written by one of Ireland’s greatest songwriters, P J McCall.
Boolavogue
Boolavogue Vinegar Hill
Father Murphy
Boolavogue videos
The song recounts the story of Father Murphy who won a serious of battles against British forces in Wexford during the 1798 Rebellion.
However, McCall didn’t write the song until 1898 – fully one hundred years afterwards.
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The lyrics tell the story in the first person, as if the singer had taken part in the rebellion.
The chords are presented here in D Major.
Please note that some of the minor chords are optional but add greatly to richness and texture of the melody.
He led us on against the coming soldiers,
The cowardly yeomen we put to fight,
‘Twas at The Harrow, the boys of Wexford
Showed Bookey’s regiments how men could fight,
Look out for hirelings, King George of England,
Search every kingdom where breathes a slave,
For Fr. Murphy from County Wexford,
Sweeps or the land like a mighty wave.
We took Camolin and Enniscorthy and Wexford,
Storming, drove out our foes.
‘Twas at Slieve Coilte our pikes were reeking
With the crimson stream of the beaten Yeos,
At Tubberneering and Ballyellis
Full many a Hessian lay in his gore.
Ah Father Murphy, had aid come over,
The Green Flag floated from shore to shore
At Vinegar Hill o’re the pleasant Slaney
Our heroes vainly stood back to back.
And the yeos at Tullow took Fr. Murphy
And burned his body upon the rack.
God grant you glory brave Fr. Murphy,
And open heaven to all your men,
The cause that called you, may come tomorrow,
In another fight for the green again.
Boolavogue
Boolavogue Vinegar Hill
Father Murphy
Boolavogue videos
Lyrics and Chords
Boolavogue lyrics and chords print version
He led us on against the coming soldiers,
The cowardly yeomen we put to fight,
‘Twas at The Harrow, the boys of Wexford
Showed Bookey’s regiments how men could fight,
Look out for hirelings, King George of England,
Search every kingdom where breathes a slave,
For Fr. Murphy from County Wexford,
Sweeps or the land like a mighty wave.
We took Camolin and Enniscorthy and Wexford,
Storming, drove out our foes.
‘Twas at Slieve Coilte our pikes were reeking
With the crimson stream of the beaten Yeos,
At Tubberneering and Ballyellis
Full many a Hessian lay in his gore.
Ah Father Murphy, had aid come over,
The Green Flag floated from shore to shore
At Vinegar Hill o’re the pleasant Slaney
Our heroes vainly stood back to back.
And the yeos at Tullow took Fr. Murphy
And burned his body upon the rack.
God grant you glory brave Fr. Murphy,
And open heaven to all your men,
The cause that called you, may come tomorrow,
In another fight for the green again.
Boolavogue
Boolavogue Vinegar Hill
Father Murphy
Boolavogue videos
Lyrics and Chords