Tag Archives: Tommy Makem

Four Green Fields by Tommy Makem

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, who fought to save my jewels
They fought and they 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 stranger’s hands, that tried to take it from me
But my sons had sons, as brave as were their fathers
My fourth green field will bloom once again said she

The Enniskillen Dragoons (Version I) by Tommy Makem

Fare thee well Enniskillen, fare thee well for a while
And all around the borders of Erin’s green isle
And when the war is over we’ll return in full bloom
And we’ll all welcome home the Enniskillen Dragoons


A beautiful damsel of fame and renown
A gentleman’s daughter from Monaghan town
As she drove by the barracks this beautiful maid
Stood up in her coach to see Dragoons on parade

Fare thee well Enniskillen, fare thee well for a while
And all around the borders of Erin’s green isle
And when the war is over we’ll return in full bloom
And we’ll all welcome home the Enniskillen Dragoons

They were all dressed out like gentlemen’s sons
Their fine shining sabres and their carbine guns
Their silver mounted pistols, she observed them full soon
Because she loved an Enniskillen Dragoon

Fare thee well Enniskillen, fare thee well for a while
And all around the borders of Erin’s green isle
And when the war is over we’ll return in full bloom
And we’ll all welcome home the Enniskillen Dragoons

Flora dear Flora your pardon I crave
It’s now and forever that I’ll be your slave
Your parents have insulted both morn, night and noon
Because you would wed an Enniskillen Dragoon

Fare thee well Enniskillen, fare thee well for a while
And all around the borders of Erin’s green isle
And when the war is over we’ll return in full bloom
And we’ll all welcome home the Enniskillen Dragoons

Willie dearest Willie don’t heed what they say
For children their parents are bound to obey
But when the war is over they’ll all change their tune
And you’ll roll me in your arms by the light of the moon

Fare thee well Enniskillen, fare thee well for a while
And all around the borders of Erin’s green isle
And when the war is over we’ll return in full bloom
And we’ll all welcome home the Enniskillen Dragoons

Note: There are at least three versions of this song, the first listed below(Enniskillen Dragoons 1) is that which has been recorded, the second (Enniskillen Dragoons 2) is most likely the original from which the popular version has come and the third (Enniskillen Dragoons 3), a version written and recorded by Tommy Makem.

The Enniskillen Dragoons (Version II) by Tommy Makem

A beautiful damsel of fame and renown
A gentleman’s daughter of fame and renown –
As she rode by the barracks, this beautiful maid,
She stood in her coach to see the dragoons’ parade.


They were all dressed out like gentlemen’s sons,
With their bright shining swords and carbine guns,
With their silver-mounted pistols – she observed them full soon,
For to serve as a royal Enniskillen dragoon!

Your bright son of Mars, who stands on the right
Whose armour doth shine like the bright stars of night,
Saying: “Willie, dearest Willie, you’ve listed full soon.”
Saying: “The Lord be with you, Enniskillen dragoon.”

“Oh, Flora! Dearest Flora! Your pardon I crave,
it’s now and forever I must be a slave –
your parents they insulted me both morning and noon,
for fear that you’d wed an Enniskillen dragoon.”

“Oh, mind, dearest Willie! Oh, mind what you say,
for children are bound their parents to obey;
for when we’re leaving Ireland, they will all change their tune,
Saying :’The Lord be with you, Enniskillen dragoon.’”

Fare you well, Enniskillen! Fare you well for a while,
And all around the borders of Erin’s green isle,
And when the war is over we’ll return in full bloom,
And they’ll all welcome home the Enniskillen dragoon.

There are at least three versions of this song, the first listed below(Enniskillen Dragoons 1) is that which has been recorded, the second (Enniskillen Dragoons 2) is most likely the original from which the popular version has come and the third (Enniskillen Dragoons 3), a version written and recorded by Tommy Makem.

The Enniskillen Dragoons (Version III) by Tommy Makem

Oh, our troop was made ready at the dawning of the day,
From lovely Enniskillen, they were marching us away;
They put us onaboard a ship to cross the raging main,
For to fight the bloody battle in the sunny land of Spain.
Fare thee well Enniskillen, fare thee well for awhile,
And all around the borders of Erin’s green isle;
And when the war is over, we’ll return in full bloom,
And you’ll all welcome home the Enniskillen Dragoons.
Oh, Spain it is a gallant land where wine and ale flow free,
And there’s lots of lovely women there to dandle on your knee;
And often in a tavern there, we’d make the rafters ring,
When every soldier in the house would raise lift glass and sing.


Fare thee well Enniskillen, fare thee well for awhile,
And all around the borders of Erin’s green isle;
And when the war is over, we’ll return in full bloom,
And you’ll all welcome home the Enniskillen Dragoons.

Well we fought for Ireland’s glory there and many a man did fall,
From musket and from bayonet and from thundering cannonball;
And many a foeman we laid low amid the battle throng,
As we prepared for action, you would often hear this song.

Fare thee well Enniskillen, fare thee well for awhile,
And all around the borders of Erin’s green isle;
And when the war is over, we’ll return in full bloom,
And you’ll all welcome home the Enniskillen Dragoons.

Well, now the fighting’s over, and for home we have set sail,
Our flag above this lofty ship is fluttering in the gale;
They’ve given us a pension, boys, of fourpence every day,
And when we reach Enniskillen, never more we’ll have to say.

Fare thee well Enniskillen, fare thee well for awhile,
And all around the borders of Erin’s green isle;
And when the war is over, we’ll return in full bloom,
And you’ll all welcome home the Enniskillen Dragoons.

Fare thee well Enniskillen, fare thee well for awhile,
And all around the borders of Erin’s green isle;
And when the war is over, we’ll return in full bloom,
And you’ll all welcome home the Enniskillen Dragoons.

There are at least three versions of this song, the first listed below(Enniskillen Dragoons 1) is that which has been recorded, the second (Enniskillen Dragoons 2) is most likely the original from which the popular version has come and the third (Enniskillen Dragoons 3), a version written and recorded by Tommy Makem.