The West's Asleep / Step It Out, Mary • Screaming Orphans • 2021 Bayonne Irish Festival NJ

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Description

Co Donegal quartet Screaming Orphans perform "The West’s Asleep," released by Irish rebel band The Wolfe Tones, followed by traditional Irish folk ballad "Step It Out, Mary."

The Diver sisters got their big break when Sinead O'Connor spotted them performing without music in a church in 1997 then invited them on her European and US Gospel Tour during the summer months. The Screaming Orphans were Sinead's support band as well as her backing singers during her set.

Recorded live 10.2.21 in Bayonne, NJ. Bayonne Irish Festival is sponsored by the Shamrock Society, the Irish American League, and the Co. Donegal Association of Bayonne.
2021 RadiantLlamaCinema

LYRICS:
When all beside a vigil keep
The West's asleep, the West's asleep
Alas! And well may Erin weep
When Connacht lies in slumber deep
There lakes and plains smile fair and free
'Mid rocks their guardian chivalry
Sing "Oh, let man learn liberty
From crashing wind and lashing sea"

That chainless wave and lovely land
Freedom and nationhood demand
Be sure the great God never planned
For slumbering slaves a home so grand
And long a brave and haughty race
Honoured and sentinelled the place
Sing "Oh, not even their son's disgrace
Can quite destroy their glory's trace"

For often in O'Connor's van
To triumph dashed each Connacht clan
And fleet as deer the Normans ran
Through Corrsliabh Pass and Ardrahan
And later times saw deeds as brave
And glory guard Clanricard's grave
Sing "Oh, they died their land to save
At Aughrim's slopes and Shannon's waves"

And if, when all a vigil keep
The West's asleep! The West's asleep!
Alas! And well may Erin weep
That Connacht lies in slumber deep
But, hark! A voice like thunder spake
The West's awake! The West's awake!
Sing, "Oh! Hurrah! Let England quake!
We'll watch 'til dead for Erin's sake"