By the lonely prison wall, I heard a young girl calling,
"Michael, they are taking you away.
For you stole Trevalian's corn, so the young might see the morn
Now the prison ship lies waiting in the bay."
chorus:
Low lie the Fields of Athenrye,
Where once we watched the small free birds fly.
Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing.
It's so lonely 'round the Fields of Athenrye.
By the lonely prison wall, I heard a young man calling,
"Nothing matters Mary when you're free.
Against the famine and the crown, I rebeled, they shut me down,
Now you must raise our child in dignity."
chorus
By the lonely harbour walls, she watched the last star falling.
As the prison ship sailed out against the sky.
But she'll wait and hope and pray,
For her love in Botany Bay,
It's so lonely, 'round the Fields of Athenrye.