The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #148958   Message #3470259
Posted By: GUEST,Bob Coltman
23-Jan-13 - 04:12 AM
Thread Name: Origins: 'Lord Courtown' -unknown Wexford song?
Subject: RE: Origins: 'Lord Courtown' -unknown Wexford song?
Interesting that this is what's called (in the griot tradition of West Africa, for instance) a "praise song."

In the Anglo-American tradition it's unusual to come across songs specifically written in praise of an individual. Praise of a place is a little more frequent, but not very. Praise of a local prominent aristocrat is downright rare. (Whereas songs criticizing same are relatively common.)

Given what Jim Carroll said above about local songs that don't reach the national repertoire, one wonders whether there are more such "praise songs" which don't travel well (?), or for other reasons don't catch on outside their place of origin.

Bob