well, Lord Franklin -- stranded in Arctic ice for two years before finally starving to death, while your wife waits and wonders -- now that's sad!

Greenfields of Canada, the Planxty version -- "the sheep run unshorn, and the land's gone to rushes -- the handyman's gone, and the winders of creels" -- such a picture of desolation, in so few words.

For reasons I can't explain, "Arthur MacBride" always makes me tear up. I mean, it's a happy story right? Arthur and his cousin beat the shit out of the recruiter and go on their merry way. I think maybe it's the sense that it's only a story, in real life Arthur and his cousin actually do end up in France, and get shot in the morning. Meanwhile, the recruiter is out looking for fresh meat...