Hi i have this song called belfast graves but it cuts out half way through. I tried to get another copy but i cant find any song anywhere called belfast graves so im asuming the copy i have is incorrectly named. I'll tell you the first couple of lyrics an if anyone can tell me if this song is correctly named that would be much appreciated.

"Through belfasts lonely graveyard i strayed one autumn night
around a grave a crowd i saw in evenings fading light"

I know its not alot to go on but i cant make out some of the lyrics after that an i dont want to embaress myself lol but anyways like i said if anyone can help me out i'll be your new best mate lol.

I'm sorry I don't have the song for you ... but I do have the word in their entirety ... tis called 'Belfast Graves' ...

Through Belfast's lonely graveyard, I strayed one autumn night.
Around a grave a crowd I saw in the evening's fading light.
And from the men and womenfolk who knelt around that mound
Came the 'Paters' and the 'Aves' in a soft-toned Gaelic sound.

"Within the grave," a young man speaks, "lie two of Ireland's sons,
"Who gave their lives in freedom's cause and faced the tyrant's guns.
"On Cavan's Mountain - Lappinduff - fought one with bravery
"Until the English soldiers killed ... brave Sean McCartney."

"In Mountjoy Jail, the other one, one Mary's festive morn,
"The bright red cloak of martyrdom for Ireland did adorn;
"And as the church bells chimed their paeon to Mary Immaculate,
"A Free State firing party sent .. Joe McKelvey through death's gate."

"And further there, across the path, lies one who knew not cant,
"A soldier who, in Ireland's cause, his life he gladly spent;
"Through battle fire nad prison cell and comrades' treachery,
"Brave Paddy Nash withstood it all, till death claimed victory."

"And all around are monuments that bear a martyr's name,
"True patriots who had served and died to kindle freedom's flame -
"Ned Trodden, Gaynor and O'Carroll with McAstocker brave;
"Remember them! They died for us and found a martyr's grave."

"And oh, my friend, look further there, a grave just freshly made -
"A boy we all loved in our hearts, therein that grave is laid.
"When just a boy of sixteen years, a felon's cap he wore;
"God rest you, Frank Doherty, Ireland's cross you proudly bore."

The cer'mony's o'er, the crowd has gone, and I am left alone
With thoughts that take my memory back to McCracken and Wolfe Tone,
And in every generation still, they come, that noble band,
To willingly sacrifice their lives in the cause of Ireland.

Ten years passed by, and I walked through that graveyard once again
To see new names of those who'd borne their country's cross of pain ...
McCaughey, Gaffney, Perry, Malone, brave Sean Martin too,
O'Callaghan, WIlliams, Seamus Burns, they have died for Roisin Dubh.

Aye that is the song im looking for the lyrics match up. Thanks so much at least now i know the song IS correctly named only i still have to find a full version but the hardwork will be worth it.:D. If the owner of this site doesnt mind a bit of feedback plz put those lyrics into your archive as i recomend this song to everyone. As you can probably tell its one of my faves lol thanx again WeeIrishDevil

I got a version of the song, says it is sung by wolfe tones but pretty sure its not them! i will send it to you if you like


You can hear it HERE Click the link and its yours. Enjoy

You're welcome :) I'm just sorry a couldn't help with the song itself .. but good someone else could ;) I've the lyrics because was printed in the book, 'Belfast Graves.' It is a shorter version of Lost Lives, but only deals with those from or lived in Belfast that died because of the troubles. If ... IF you can find a copy ... you should read it.

I have the song on my computer, sung by Wolfe Tones, which someone just said, but I cannot figure out how to send you it. :(

Thanks The Ulster Introvert But I Got it now thanks to Oglaigh. I'll Have A Look Into That WeeIrishDevil. Thanks To Everyone Who Has Replied Youv All Been Very Helpful. :)

After a did all that .. after all a said .. a too had the song on the pc lol ... my copy was at 160 bit rate instead of the 128, but am sure sounds close to the same :) Anyhoo ... you're welcome fair :)

Folks, that's one of them mos beautiful songs I ever read/heard - there's nothing to be added to this. Thanks for posting!

Now I have another question myself: does anyone know the lyrics to the song "City of the Tribes"? I have the song under this title on a CD, but I can't find the lyrics anywhere...

Sorry i have never heard of the song! presume its about galway which is nicknamed the city of the tribes. I would love to hear the song, if you happen to have a file you could let me hear i would appreciate it!

Well, for a beginning: I managed to pick some parts of the lyrics out of my recording. As soon as I manage to get it as a mp3-file or else, I will post it. So here's some part of first verse and the chorus:

City of the tribes

Take a walk along your quays and remember yesterday
A city filled with races of a time we never knew
And it's history carved in stone in a place that's changed and gone
Keep the hands off (here's missing some text) - the secrets of our past...

Chorus:
City of the tribes! - Your sons are still alive
They still recall the sadness and the splendour ou your past
And your (again missing, darn the bad record), by the hard times you have known
But your loveliness will always be a part of what we are

... so this is what I managed to pick from the record - 'tis not very much but maybe it'll help...

so long,

Fin

The song is sung by Ray McCreavy the Wolfhound. They used to be fairly popular during the 60/70's.

Ah right cool i must look in to their music and see what they are like!!!