Shan Van Vocht

Historical Notes

Includes two versions of lyrics.

It is very likely that McNevin’s two Fenian works of art (view "The Green Above the Red [an imaginary incident during the Fenian Raids of 1866]" from the Library and Archives of Canada) were born out of his youth in Ireland when the Young Irelanders rebelled in 1848. The art by McNevin on the Fenian War Echoes series is quite fantastic and is steeped in the mythology of the Fenian Cycle. High battle drama in a cloudlike setting with Finn MacCool and the Fianna dressed in ancient battle armor returning to defend Ireland, ready to finish off the Lion who represents the British Empire. All floating above what looks to be a battlement draped in the Fenian and American flags, battle horns, and the Irish Harp. The Fenians adopted the golden rising sun on a green field as their flag in the 1840s. Quite glorious!

From A Musical and Artistic Glimpse Inside the Fenians…150 Years Later blog post.

Lyrics

1st Version

"The Sainted Isle of old," says the Shan Van Vocht,
"The sainted Isle of old," say the Shan Van Vocht;
"The Parent and the mould of the beautiful and bold,
Has her blithe…some heart wax'd cold?" says the Shan Van Vocht

"The Saxon and the Dane," says the Shan Van Vocht,
"The Saxon and the Dane," says the Shan Van Vocht;
"The Saxon and the Dane, our immortal hills profane,
Oh! confusion seize the twain," says the Shan Van Vocht

"What are the chiefs to do?" says the Shan Van Vocht,
"What are the chiefs to do?" says the Shan Van Vocht;
"What should the chieftains do, but treat the hireling crew,
To a touch of Brian Boru?" says the Shan Van Vocht

"They came across the wave," says the Shan Van Vocht,
"They came across the wave," says the Shan Van Vocht;
"They came across the wave, but to plunder and enslave,
And should I meet a robbers grave, says the Shan Van Vocht
"Then be the trusted brand," says the Shan Van Vocht,
"Then be the trusted brand," says the Shan Van Vocht;
"Then be the trusty brand, firmly clutched in every hand,
And we'll scourge them from the land," says the Shan Van Vocht

"There's courage yet in truth," says the Shan Van Vocht,
"There's courage yet in truth," says the Shan Van Vocht;
"There's a God above us all, and whatever may befall,
No invader shall enthrall," says the Shan Van Vocht

2nd Version

"Oh the French are on the sea," says the Shan Van Vocht,
"The French are on the sea," says the Shan Van Vocht,
"Oh The French are in the Bay, they'll be here without delay,
And the Orange will decay," says the Shan Van Vocht.

"And their camp it will be where?" says the Shan Van Vocht,
"Their camp it will be where?" says the Shan Van Vocht.
"On the Curragh of Kildare and the boys will all be there
"With their pikes in good repair." says the Shan Van Vocht.

"And what will the yeomen do?" says the Shan Van Vocht,
"What will the yeomen do?" says the Shan Van Vocht,
"What will the yeomen do but throw off the red and blue,
And swear that they'll be true to the Shan Van Vocht.

"Then what colour will be seen?" says the Shan Van Vocht,
"What colour will be seen?" says the Shan Van Vocht,
"What colour should be seen where our fathers' homes have been
But our own immortal green? " says the Shan Van Vocht,

"And will Ireland then be free? " says the Shan Van Vocht,
"Will Ireland then be free? " says the Shan Van Vocht,
"Yes old Ireland will be free from the centre to the sea,
And hurrah! for liberty," says the Shan Van Vocht.