Hi, It's interesting to me how Irish assimilation in the USA seems to begin with the legendary valor of the Irish troops during the Civil War. When I first asked myself what songs these post-famine, pre-Civil War immigrants might have sung in Boston, NY or Philadelphia, the first songs that came to mind were all written during or just after the War. By 1852, Thomas Moore was dead, leaving behind tons of great songs. Broadsides had been popular for ages as well. Still, when I informally try to think as far back as I can, I always begin with the Irish Brigade. I haven't located, for example, songs originating during the famine years, or songs sung immediately after and referring to those years. We start seeing famine songs nearly a generation later. Interesting. Rich
|