“The West’s Awake” was written by poet Thomas Davis in the 1843. Davis wrote a note that said the tune that would accompany the song is “The Brink of the White Rocks.” The song has remained popular and relevant long after it was written. It is seen as Galway’s anthem.
During the time the song was written, there was great social
and political upheaval within Ireland. It talks about the western counties of
Ireland having a slumbering spirit, despite everything going on. Davis felt
like the west was on the verge of awakening to embrace the Irish heritage.
The song starts out with two stanzas that tell of the
sadness of the slumbering spirit of the west, specifically Connacht. People are not aware of what is
happening, so they are in a state of inaction, unwilling to step up and defend
the land they live in. These stanzas emphasize the beauty of the land that
remains peaceful while the people refuse the land.
Despite the sadness and despair of the first two stanzas,
the third stanza takes a more hopeful tone. It declares that the people of the
West are “awake” and are ready to be vigilant to defend and protect
Ireland. Other countries, like England, that hope to oppress the Irish are no
longer able to conquer the Irish. It invites the Irish to come together to reclaim
their freedom and defend their land.
There is symbolism within the song that uses the land’s
beauty and strength to convey a message. The “crashing wish and lashing sea” represent
the power and freedom that the Irish need to embrace in order to achieve
liberty for themselves. The song also references historical battles that
occurred in Ireland’s fight for freedom. The clans of Connacht were successful under
O’Connor, and the Normans fled Ireland quickly.
Although the song is specifically about Ireland, it resonates on a broader level as a call to pride in one’s country as well as resilience. It is a call to embrace one’s cultural identity and have pride in their heritage. It beckons people to remain connected to their cultural roots, both the land and the people.
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