This is an Irish ballad written by Pete St. John in 1979. He set it in the Great Famine of the 1840s; a man from Athenry (County Galway, Ireland) has been caught stealing food for his starving family and was commonly the result at the time, was been sentenced to transportation to the Australian penal colony at Botany Bay. The song had become something of an anthem for Ireland, and quite popular among the Irish footballer, rugby, and hurling fans. Cliff brought this song to the band early on, and soon was adopted by Paul. When Paul left for Florida, Tim took it over and was particularly known for it.

Jos. Morneault

By a lonely prison wall
I heard a young girl calling
Michael, they have taken you away
For you stole Trevelyan’s corn
So the young might see the morn
Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay

Chorus:
Low lie the fields of Athenry
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 Athenry

By a lonely prison wall
I heard a young man calling
Nothing matters, Mary, when you’re free
Against the famine and the crown
I rebelled; they cut me down
Now you must raise our child with dignity

Chorus:

By a lonely harbour wall
She watched the last star falling
As the prison ship sailed out against the sky
For she’ll live and hope and pray
For her love in Botany Bay
It’s so lonely round the fields of Athenry

Chorus: 2x