The Troubles
The Wolfe Tones · 2004
122 min · 32 tracks · rock music
A fervent blend of traditional Irish folk and rock, echoing the voices of a troubled nation through spirited anthems.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sunday Bloody Sunday — This track powerfully encapsulates the pain and chaos surrounding one of the most infamous events in Irish history, making it a poignant anthem for peace.
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The Patriot Game — With its stirring melody and evocative lyrics, this song reflects the deep sense of national pride and resistance among Irish people during tumultuous times.
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Joe McDonnell — This ballad tells the story of an Irish martyr with haunting respect, showcasing the album's ability to blend personal narratives with broader historical themes.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- cathartic communal sing-alongs
- historical storytelling through music
- reflective moments of resilience
- spirited anthems for gatherings
- long listening sessions with depth
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant musical gratification
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 2004, The Wolfe Tones were well-established as leading figures in Irish folk music, having formed in 1963. 'The Troubles' serves as a retrospective on their decades-long career, revisiting themes of nationalism and social justice that have been central to their identity. This album arrives after their numerous successful releases in the 1990s and early 2000s, continuing their legacy of political commentary through music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Dubliners· The Clancy Brothers· Planxty
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Sunday Bloody Sunday
The shift from recounting violent imagery to a call for peace highlights a transformation in perspective.
This choice not only heightens emotional impact but also reflects a yearning for reconciliation amidst ongoing conflict.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 This Is the Day 3:52
- 2 The Patriot Game 3:46
- 3 The Song of Partition 3:22
- 4 Children of Fear 4:14
- 5 Sunday Bloody Sunday 4:11
- 6 Plastic Bullets 5:11
- 7 The Men Behind the Wire 2:00
- 8 The Lough Sheelin Eviction 5:13
- 9 Go on Home British Soldiers 2:52
- 10 Danny Boy (The Derry Air) 3:15
- 11 Star of the County Down 2:41
- 12 In Belfast 5:23
- 13 Up the Border 1:52
- 14 The Green Glens of Antrim 3:10
- 15 The Old Orange Flute 2:26
- 16 The Old Brigade Dance Medley: The Old Brigade / On the One Road / The Broad Black Brimmer / Celtic Symphony 6:05
Disc 2
- 1 Lament for the Lost 3:22
- 2 We Shall Overcome 3:33
- 3 You'll Never Beat the Irish, Part III 4:01
- 4 Tyrone 3:56
- 5 Must Ireland Divided Be 3:57
- 6 Song of Liberty 2:43
- 7 The Orange and the Green 2:24
- 8 Long Kesh 3:19
- 9 The Sash Me Father Wore 3:25
- 10 Fermanagh Love Song 4:17
- 11 Hills of Glenswilly 3:21
- 12 Joe McDonnell 6:49
- 13 County of Armagh 2:37
- 14 Guildford Four 3:47
- 15 Billy Reid 3:07
- 16 Up the Rebels Dance Medley: Teddy Bears Head / Helicopter Song / Sean South / A Nation Once Again 7:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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