Some sources claim that it was written by Terrence Ward, a journalist, but this is incorrect: he actually wrote another song about Barry.
The American singer Paul Robeson included it in this album Songs of Struggle, although this version tones down the anti-British sentiment of the original.
[9] It was one of many Irish rebel ballads removed from RTÉ playlists during the period of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
"Kevin Barry" featured prominently in Frank McCourt's novel Angela's Ashes, and in the 1999 movie adaptation of the book.
[10] As the author is unknown, there is no definitive version, It can be sung with various verses added or omitted, or without the chorus, or other minor variations.