Why do Liverpool fans sing Fields of Athenry?

You may have heard the familiar melody of the popular Liverpool song at by Irish sports fans far away from Anfield – here's why

Fields of Anfield Road is a signature song for Liverpool fans to sing both at home at Anfield and on the road, almost as famed as club anthem You'll Never Walk Alone and a staple of the Anfield songbook.

But as well-known as the tune is, its roots actually belong in Ireland – as the Kop favourite had been adapted from the well-known Irish folk song Fields of Athenry.

So why do Liverpool fans sing it, and what was the original Irish song about? Goal takes a look.

As what usually happens with great football chants, the anthem was adapted from a lesser-known song, with the newer and more popular football version gaining more international attention.

After all, You'll Never Walk Alone is originally a show tune from the 1945 Rodgers & Hammerstein musical Carousel, but made famous in the football world by Merseybeat band Gerry & the Pacemakers in 1963.

The original folk song that Fields of Anfield Road is based on, Fields of Athenry, was written and composed in the 1970s by Irish folk singer-songwriter Pete St. John. The song was first recorded in 1979 by Danny Doyle, and reached the top 10 in the Irish Singles Chart.

It is set during the Great Irish Famine in the 19th century and follows a fictional man named Michael from near Athenry in County Galway, who has been sentenced to transportation to Australia as punishment for stealing food for his starving family.

The song became synonymous with Irish sporting events, having been made popular by Irish football fans during the 1990 World Cup. It continues to be a favourite amongst Irish sports fans today, particularly during Munster Rugby games.

Additionally, it is also sung by Celtic fans and London Irish rugby union teams.

And of course, Fields of Anfield Road has been taken up by Liverpool fans to the same tune and melody as the original folk song, with the lyrics altered to reference their history and stadium.

The lyrics were originally adapted by a Liverpool fan named Edward R Williams from Wallasey, and gained slow traction across the terraces at Anfield before it eventually became as well-known as it is today.

In the song, the character of Michael is replaced by iconic former Reds manager Bill Shankly, and the verses refer to Liverpool figures Kenny Dalglish and Steve Heighway.

In 2009, a new version of the song was recorded and released as a charity single to include a verse commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster. John Power from Liverpool-based bands Cast and The La's co-wrote the final verse, and vocal contributions were made by Phil Thompson and Bruce Grobbelaar amongst others.

Outside the Shankly Gates I heard a Kopite calling Shankly they have taken you away But you left a great eleven Before you went to heaven Now it's glory round the Fields of Anfield Road.All round the Fields of Anfield Road Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and he could play) We had Heighway on the wing We had dreams and songs to sing Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road

Beside the Hillsborough FlameI heard a Kopite mourningWhy so many taken on that day?Justice has never been doneBut their memory will carry onThere'll be glory around the Fields of Anfield Road

By a lonely prison wall, I heard a young girl calling Michael they have taken you away,For you stole trevelyn's cornSo the young might see the morn,Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bayLow lie, the Fields of AthenryWhere once we watched the small free birds flyOur love was on the wingWe had dreams and songs to sing, Its so lonely round the Fields of AthenryBy a lonely prison wallI heard a young man calling'Nothing matters Mary, when you're free'Against the famine and the crown, I rebelled, they brought me down Now its lonely round the Fields of AthenryBy a lonely harbour wallShe watched the last star falling As the prison ship sailed out against the skySure she'll live in hope and prayFor her love in Botney Bay Its so lonely round the Fields of Athenry