BOULAVOGUE – The Rising of Wexford (Father Murphy 1798) | Irish Rebel Ballad

0:00 Intro 0:49 Chorus 1:07 Verse 2 2:08 Verse 3 2:48 Chorus Boulavogue is one of Ireland’s most powerful rebel ballads, telling the true story of Father John Murphy and the 1798 Rising in County Wexford. This song honours the bravery, sacrifice, and spirit of the Wexford people who rose up for Ireland’s freedom. The song recounts the desperate yet heroic struggle of ordinary farmers, labourers, and villagers who took up pikes against a trained British force. Beginning in the quiet fields of Boolavogue and spreading across the region—from Kilcormack to Tubberneering, Ballyellis, and Vinegar Hill—the Wexford rising became the most significant and organised resistance of the entire 1798 Rebellion. Father John Murphy, originally a priest who preached peace, was transformed by the brutality he witnessed in his parish. When homes were burned and civilians attacked, he rallied his neighbours and led them into battle. Under his leadership, untrained men defeated professional soldiers multiple times, driving yeomen and Hessians from Camolin, Enniscorthy, and Wexford town itself. But the rising ended in tragedy. Overwhelmed at Vinegar Hill and hunted relentlessly afterward, Father Murphy was captured at Tullow and executed. His courage, and the sacrifice of those who followed him, remain central to Ireland’s story of resistance. #Boolavogue #FatherMurphy #IrishRebelSongs #IrishHistory #1798Rebellion #IrishMusic #IrishFolk #Wexford #IrishBallads #RebelSong Subscribe to us:    / @justirishmusic   Hear other songs from Just Irish Music:    • Celtic Traditional Folk Music for the Iris...   Follow & Support Just Irish Music: 🎥 YouTube: / @justirishmusic 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/3143x74... 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/JustIrishMusic 📸 Instagram: / justirishmusic 📘 Facebook: / justirishmusic At Boulavogue as the sun was setting On the bright May meadows of Shelmaliar, A rebel hand set the heather blazing And brought the neighbours from far and near. Then Father Murphy from old Kilcormack Spurred up the rocks with a warning cry; "Arm, arm," he cried, "for I've come to lead you; For Ireland's freedom we'll fight or die." He led us on 'gainst the coming soldiers; The cowardly yeomen we put to flight. 'Twas at the Harra the boys of Wexford Showed Bookies' regiment how men could fight. Look out for hirelings, King George of England, Search ev'ry kingdom that breathes a slave, For Father Murphy from County Wexford Sweeps o'er the land like a mighty wave. We took Camolin and Enniscorthy, And Wexford storming drove out our foes; Twas at Slieve Coillte our pikes were reeking With the crimson stream of the beaten yeos. At Tubberneering and Ballyellis Full many a Hessian lay in his gore; Ah, Father Murphy, had aid come over, The green flag floated from shore to shore! At Vinegar Hill o'er the pleasant Slaney Our heroes vainly stood back to back, And the Yoes at Tullow took Father Murphy And burned his body upon the rack. God grant you glory, brave Father Murphy, And open heaven to all your men; For the cause that called you may call tomorrow In another fight for the green again.