I'd be interested if anybody had any information to this song (Dear Native Land)
It's probably one of the most popular emigration songs in this part of Ireland (West Clare) - we must have heard it from a dozen singers and recorded it on at least four occasions yet I can find no information as to its background, place of origin, possible authorship, date - nothing.
I am aware of the modern recordings but am unable to take it back further than the middle of the 20th century, though it is obviously older than that.
It sounds like a late 19th century poem but I can't find it in any of the collections we have access to.
I'd like to write a note on it for a project we have in hand and would appreciate any help
Thanks
Jim Carroll