Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; AP story

Subject: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory
From: oldhippie
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 02:01 PM

It was nice to read a letter to the editor in my local newspaper by a Sheri Mortimer. It read as follows:

"The Aug 3 Associated Press article "Singer Tommy Makem dies" mentioned his song "Four Green Fields" and said it was about a woman mourning the death of her sons who fought for her fields. Although on the surface that seems to be correct, "Four Green Fields" is actually an allegorical song.
The old woman represents Ireland, and the four fields are the four provinces of Ireland. Three provinces make up the Republic of Ireland. The fourth green field is Northern Ireland, still under British domination.
The song is a strong statement that Ireland will once again be a whole and independent nation, free of domination by anybody."

Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 03:47 PM

"And my sons have sons as brave as were their fathers..." She is ready even eager to sacrifice them to get her fourth field back.

Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory
From: gnu
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 07:16 PM

Let it rest... as Tommy has... and did, some time ago.

Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory
From: Effsee
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 08:19 PM

Great song though.

Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory
From: LindsayInWales
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 08:49 PM

I have it on mp3 if anyone requires...

Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APst
From: Greg B
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 09:00 PM

I rather suspect Tommy is glad that the verse has outlived (we
hope) its usefulness.

Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 10:12 PM

I'd be surprised if there was still anyone vaguely acquainted with Irish music that didn't already know the references...but, as has been said, let's not belabor the point any longer.

Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 11:25 PM

Did anybody else see the obits that said Green Fields of France instead of 4 GF? Wasn't that Eric Bogle?

Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; AP s
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 04:40 PM

"Four Green Fields of France" it said, didn't it? Little use explaining a song called "Green Fields of France" doesn't really exist, either, other than in the Fureys' furry brains :-).

Anyway, the German mag, Der Spiegel, managed to run an obituary for Tommy (short but otherwise quite good, I thought) without once mentioning the Clancy Brothers. They were 'his band' ...

Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; AP s
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 07:45 PM

We sing Four Green Fields in the band I am in. I suspect we will always sing it as long as it is requested and as long as we are together. It is just so singable.   It is a modern classic as much as Down By The Glen Side may be. And is perhaps a retelling of or maybe a conclusion to that story.

Perhaps we need songs like this as reminders because we tend to forget, even over the course of a generation.

Don

Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; AP story
From: weerover
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 06:05 AM

The Republic of Ireland is in fact made up of three and a bit provinces: only six of the nine counties of Ulster are in Northern Ireland.

wr