Hi Jed:

You may want to take a look at the material on our new CD, "No Irish Need Apply" by the Gallant Sons of Erin. (Review forthcoming on "Wild Geese Today" website) Quite coincidentally, it is entirely focused on the Irish Immigrant experience in the American Civil War! It ties the music directly to the history of one of the Irish Brigade Regiments - the 28th Massachusetts. There is an extensively researched 40 page booklet included with full lyrics and the complete information on each song and it's relationship to the stories of the Irish immigarnt Union soldier.

I am certain that this CD would be a great source for your show - which sounds like a wonderful project. Here's the REALLY good news. The entire body of booklet information is avalible FREE OF CHARGE on the web at (http://www.28thmass.com/NINA/NINA.htm) http://www.28thmass.com/NINA/NINA.htm (with some really nice links and additional source material). It's our goal to share the history. The stories are so compelling that we know folks will want to buy the music when they read the stories.

You may be familiar with Paddy's Lamentation. The version that we do, "Pat in America" is drawn directly from a period broadside and the website documents an ACTUAL INCIDENT as described by the song that occured in 1864 involving the 28th Mass. Regiment. Transcriptions of the Newspaper articles are included on the web. The CD contains at least 6 songs that have never been recorded by anyone, ever! We mined them from archives and period newspapers. Also, it's been suggested that you consider "Irish Jaunting Car". That's a great tune! We recorded it on this CD. And the website will give you two sets of alternative period lyrics and links to broadsides with additional variations!

Check out the website - order a Cd (gallantsons@yahoo.com)gallantsons@yahoo.com - let us know how we can help and contribute to what sounds like a great project. We've already gathered material for CD #2 - and we've got all the material that we considered and rejected as well.
Whew! We regret the shameless plug for our product, but we think that we've got something that can be of real interest to you.

Dave