DOWN BY THE GLENSIDE

Created on 01/08/2006
Latest update on 29/11/2023

Artist: Brendan Behan
Author: Peadar Kearney
Label: Outlet
Year: 1950

Written by a brother of Brendan's mother. Kearney was part of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, better known as the Fenians. He wrote it in 1916 during the Easter revolt. He also wrote The Soldier's Song (Amhrán na bhFiann), the Irish national hymn.

Covers:

1950:

Ken Curtis & Sons Of The Pioneers [in John Ford film Rio Grande (with John Wayne); the action takes place during the American Mexican war, when an Irish regiment (the San Patricios) fought alongside catholic Mexicans]

1955:

Richard Dyer-Bennet

1956:

Margaret Barry

1961:

Judy Collins

1962:

Dubliners

1963:

Peg Clancy [sister of the Clancy Brothers]

1964:

Wolfe Tones

1982:

Barry Reynolds [as The Bold Fenian Men (see footnote)]

2014:

Gregory Page

The Bold Fenian Men is a different Irish traditional, hummed by the old woman in Down By The Glenside: "I listened a while to the song she was humming, Glory O, Glory O, to the Bold Fenian Men". The Fenians (Irish patriotic movement started in New York on St Patrick's Day 1858) struggled for Home Rule in a unified Ireland, free from the British. The song was also used on both frontlines during the American Civil War.

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