Four Green Fields

Lore: None Arrangement: Any Range: Typically a female voice - soprano or alto - sings it, though men have been known to. Attribution: Irish folk. Notes: None

Lyrics: "What did I have?" said the fine old woman "What did I have?" this proud old woman did say "I had four green fields, each one was a jewel But strangers came and tried to take them from me I had fine, strong sons, they fought to save my jewels They fought and died and that was my grief", said she

"Long time ago", said the fine old woman "Long time ago", this proud old woman did say "There was war and death, plundering and pillage My children starved by mountain, valley and sea And their wailing cries, they shook the very heavens My four green fields ran red with their blood", said she

"What have I now?" said the fine old woman "What have I now?" this proud old woman did say "I have four green fields, one of them's in bondage In strangers hands who tried to take it from me But my sons have sons, as brave as were their fathers My fourth green field will bloom once again", said she