The power of songs to transport us to new places can be seen clearly in many genres. If you want to feel the beauty and history of Ireland, some of the classic tunes from this country take us to the green fields and charming towns of the Emerald Isle. By looking at the best Irish-influenced rock songs, we can see how this genre fits the country perfectly.
Whiskey in the Jar
The long history of this traditional Irish song is shrouded in mystery. The famous lyrics were passed from one person to the next, changing subtly along the way. It reached the mainstream when the Dubliners made a version in the 1960s, but it was Thin Lizzy’s electrifying version in 1973 that brought it to a wider audience, while Metallica won a Grammy for their harder version at the end of the last century.
The song changes from one version to the next, with no official versions of the lyrics. However, it almost always tells us the story of a highwayman or robber who was betrayed and ended up in prison. Along the way, it takes us over the Kerry mountains and mentions places like Cork and Killarney.
This song is one of the classic types of popular entertainment that have helped place Ireland at the heart of popular culture. Movies like The Banshees of Inisherin and Waking Ned Devine have also transported us to the island. Games have also utilised Irish themes, when you play Rainbow Riches you’ll see classic Irish imagery. With various bonus rounds and a leprechaun, it’s based on classic images from Irish mythology. 3 Lucky Rainbows and Irish Crown are other slots that take us to rolling green fields where pots of gold and shamrocks can be found.
The Fields of Athenry
This song feels like another timeless classic, but it was written relatively recently before joining the list of the most popular Irish songs. Based on the story of a man stealing food during the great famine and being sent to an Australian penal colony, it has become something of a sporting anthem over the years.
Athenry is a field in County Galway that has a 13th-century castle and some of the best preserved medieval walls in the country. Many versions are ballads, but the Dropkick Murphys are one of the groups that have decided to make it into a tougher rock song.
Foggy Dew
Few songs set the scene like Foggy Dew, a traditional Irish song that takes us back to the Easter Rising of 1916. The lyrics take us through Dublin on a foggy morning as the Irish patriots attempt to seize some of the city’s key buildings in the battle for independence.
This is another song that is typically arranged like a ballad or lament, but rocking versions like the one made by Young Dubliners add heavy drums and guitars to the original format for even more impact.
These songs show us how classic images and stories can be transformed into something memorable when added to strong rock music. They provide one of the most interesting ways of learning about Irish history while enjoying great tunes.
