This song is about the English oppressing the Irish, perhaps being before or during the Irish famine/ genocide.
The Irish was strong and firm in their cultural and religious beliefs, which were challenged by the English again and again.
"for the strangers came and tried to teach us THEIR way; they scorned us just for being what we are; but they might as well go chasing after moonbeams or light a penny candle from a star" : hence the term "The fighting Irish". Their language has now become extinct "speak a language that the STRANGERS do not know". It seems that the Irish wanted to be left alone and to live the simple life that they'd lived for centuries until the English felt that they were inferior and disposable eventually doing away with 2 million Irish people during the Irish genocide. So I think this song represents their willfulness and pride in their culture and resistance to the English "who scorned us just for being what we are".
This song is about the English oppressing the Irish, perhaps being before or during the Irish famine/ genocide.
The Irish was strong and firm in their cultural and religious beliefs, which were challenged by the English again and again. "for the strangers came and tried to teach us THEIR way; they scorned us just for being what we are; but they might as well go chasing after moonbeams or light a penny candle from a star" : hence the term "The fighting Irish". Their language has now become extinct "speak a language that the STRANGERS do not know". It seems that the Irish wanted to be left alone and to live the simple life that they'd lived for centuries until the English felt that they were inferior and disposable eventually doing away with 2 million Irish people during the Irish genocide. So I think this song represents their willfulness and pride in their culture and resistance to the English "who scorned us just for being what we are".