Streets of Laredo/St. James Infirmary/The Dying Cowboy/The Sailor Cut Down in His Prime. First 2 are in the first show, eh? (Bought the CD at the Getaway.)

Whip out Dan Milner & Bob Conry's "Irish In America" and look at/listen to "Billy the Kid". Born as Henry McCarty (in NY) to Irish immigrant parents.

"On the Trail to Mexico"
Lomax says "Song is a cowboy variant of the Caledoni-o, Canada-i-o, Range of the Buffalo family.

"Green Grows the Laurel"
Supposedly sung by Irish American troops when they marched into Mexico 1846-8 war. Supposedly that's where the term 'gringos' comes from, but I've heard plenty that indicates that latter bit's just a nice story. Info from Lomax...so HE'S who started the 'gringos' story!