“The Patriot Game” was written by DominicBehan and tells the story of Fergal O’Hanlon, who was killed while fighting for Ireland’s independence. It contains the same story as “Sean South of Garryown,” but tells Fergal’s side of the story.
Fergal O’Hanlon was born in Ballybay in County Monaghan on February 2, 1936.
He fought to abolish the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of
Ireland, hoping for a unified country. O’Hanlon wrote in his diary that he felt
the only way Ireland would gain independence was through armed men, so he became
a member of the Irish Republican Army.
O’Hanlon was killed at the Brookboroughattack when he was about 20 years old, though there are some debates about
his age based on songs about him and the incident. The attack was part of the
IRA’s Border Campaign that took place during the 1950s. On the night of the
attack, he and his comrades met at his house, where he told his mom she may
never see him again, which proved to be foreshadowing.
The goal of the attack was to cause explosions at the Brookborough
police barracks and destroy the building. However, the explosives failed to ignite.
One explosive instead bounced back and exploded under a truck. The RUC (Royal
Ulster Constabulary) heard the commotion and the sergeant fired a machine gun
at the IRA members. O’Hanlon and his friend South were killed as a result of the
gunfire.
The “game” the song talks about refers to fighting for
Ireland’s independence. The song’s second half criticizes the deserters who
joined the cause but became traitors. There are variations in the lyrics,
depending on the artist who sings the song.
The tune of the song is “One Morning in May.” It has been
recorded by traditional Irish musicians such as the Wolfe Tones and the Clancy
Brothers, but also by popular musicians like the Kingston Trio and Bob Dylan.
The song has had references in popular culture. Tom Clancy’s
book, “Patriot Games,” and the movie based on the book starring Harrison Ford
as secret agent Jack Ryan, are named based on the song title. The song is
referenced heavily in Martin McDonagh's play “The Lieutenant of Inishmore.”
Related Articles:
-Beyond the Song: "Four Green Fields" by Tommy Makem: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/05/beyond-song-four-green-fields-tommy-makem.html
-Beyond the Song: "Grace": https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/05/beyond-song-grace.html
-Beyond the Song: "Chasing Rainbows" by The High Kings: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/04/beyond-song-chasing-rainbows-high-kings.html