The Sean-Bhean bhocht
Encyclopedia
The Sean-Bhean bhocht, Irish for the "Poor old woman" (often spelt phonetically in this song as "Shan Van Vocht"), is a traditional Irish song from the period of the Irish Rebellion of 1798
, and dating in particular to the lead up to a French expedition to Bantry Bay
, that ultimately failed to get ashore in 1796.
The Sean-Bhean bhocht is used to personify Ireland, a poetic motif which heralds back to the aisling
of native Gaelic
poetry.
Many different versions of the song have been composed by balladeers over the years, with the lyrics adapted to reflect the political climate at the time of composition. The title of the song, tune and narration of the misfortunes of the Shean Bhean bhocht remain a constant however, and this version, probably the best known, expresses confidence in the victory of the United Irishmen in the looming rebellion
upon the arrival of French aid.
W. B. Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory based their 1902 nationalist play, Cathleen ni Houlihan, on the legend dramatized in this song. A more recent version of the character is the speaker in Tommy Maken's "Four Green Fields," a song composed in the modern context of Northern Ireland's partition from the Republic of Ireland.
"The French are on the sea," says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"Oh The French are in the Bay, they'll be here without delay,
And the Orange
will decay," says the Sean Bhean Bhocht.
"And their camp it will be where?" says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"Their camp it will be where?" says the Sean Bhean Bhocht.
"On the Curragh
of Kildare
and the boys will all be there
"With their pikes
in good repair." says the Sean Bhean Bhocht .
"And what will the yeomen
do?" says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"What will the yeomen do?" says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"What will the yeomen do but throw off the red and blue,
And swear that they'll be true to the Sean Bhean Bhocht.
"Then what colour will be seen?" says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"What colour will be seen?" says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"What colour should be seen where our fathers' homes have been
But our own immortal green? " says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"And will Ireland
then be free? " says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"Will Ireland then be free? " says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"Yes old Ireland will be free from the centre to the sea,
And hurrah! for liberty," says the Sean Bhean Bhocht.
Irish Rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
, and dating in particular to the lead up to a French expedition to Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay is a bay located in County Cork, southwest Ireland. The bay runs approximately from northeast to southwest into the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 3-to-4 km wide at the head and wide at the entrance....
, that ultimately failed to get ashore in 1796.
The Sean-Bhean bhocht is used to personify Ireland, a poetic motif which heralds back to the aisling
Aisling
The aisling , or vision poem, is a poetic genre that developed during the late 17th and 18th centuries in Irish language poetry...
of native Gaelic
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
poetry.
Many different versions of the song have been composed by balladeers over the years, with the lyrics adapted to reflect the political climate at the time of composition. The title of the song, tune and narration of the misfortunes of the Shean Bhean bhocht remain a constant however, and this version, probably the best known, expresses confidence in the victory of the United Irishmen in the looming rebellion
Irish Rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
upon the arrival of French aid.
W. B. Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory based their 1902 nationalist play, Cathleen ni Houlihan, on the legend dramatized in this song. A more recent version of the character is the speaker in Tommy Maken's "Four Green Fields," a song composed in the modern context of Northern Ireland's partition from the Republic of Ireland.
Lyrics
"Oh the French are on the sea," says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,"The French are on the sea," says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"Oh The French are in the Bay, they'll be here without delay,
And the Orange
Orange Institution
The Orange Institution is a Protestant fraternal organisation based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, though it has lodges throughout the Commonwealth and United States. The Institution was founded in 1796 near the village of Loughgall in County Armagh, Ireland...
will decay," says the Sean Bhean Bhocht.
"And their camp it will be where?" says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"Their camp it will be where?" says the Sean Bhean Bhocht.
"On the Curragh
Curragh
The Curragh is a flat open plain of almost 5,000 acres of common land in County Kildare, Ireland, between Newbridge and Kildare. This area is well-known for Irish horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is located on the edge of Kildare town, beside the famous Japanese Gardens. Also...
of Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
and the boys will all be there
"With their pikes
Pike (weapon)
A pike is a pole weapon, a very long thrusting spear used extensively by infantry both for attacks on enemy foot soldiers and as a counter-measure against cavalry assaults. Unlike many similar weapons, the pike is not intended to be thrown. Pikes were used regularly in European warfare from the...
in good repair." says the Sean Bhean Bhocht .
"And what will the yeomen
Yeomanry
Yeomanry is a designation used by a number of units or sub-units of the British Territorial Army, descended from volunteer cavalry regiments. Today, Yeomanry units may serve in a variety of different military roles.-History:...
do?" says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"What will the yeomen do?" says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"What will the yeomen do but throw off the red and blue,
And swear that they'll be true to the Sean Bhean Bhocht.
"Then what colour will be seen?" says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"What colour will be seen?" says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"What colour should be seen where our fathers' homes have been
But our own immortal green? " says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"And will Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
then be free? " says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"Will Ireland then be free? " says the Sean Bhean Bhocht,
"Yes old Ireland will be free from the centre to the sea,
And hurrah! for liberty," says the Sean Bhean Bhocht.