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15 Aug 07 - 02:01 PM (#2126198) Subject: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory From: oldhippie 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." |
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15 Aug 07 - 03:47 PM (#2126311) Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory From: SINSULL "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. |
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15 Aug 07 - 07:16 PM (#2126466) Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory From: gnu Let it rest... as Tommy has... and did, some time ago. |
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15 Aug 07 - 08:19 PM (#2126519) Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory From: Effsee Great song though. |
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15 Aug 07 - 08:49 PM (#2126542) Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory From: LindsayInWales I have it on mp3 if anyone requires... |
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15 Aug 07 - 09:00 PM (#2126550) Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APst From: Greg B I rather suspect Tommy is glad that the verse has outlived (we hope) its usefulness. |
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15 Aug 07 - 10:12 PM (#2126584) Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory From: Bill D 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. |
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15 Aug 07 - 11:25 PM (#2126636) Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; APstory From: Mrrzy Did anybody else see the obits that said Green Fields of France instead of 4 GF? Wasn't that Eric Bogle? |
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16 Aug 07 - 04:40 PM (#2127362) Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; AP s From: Susanne (skw) "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' ... |
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16 Aug 07 - 07:45 PM (#2127487) Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; AP s From: GUEST,Don Meixner 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 |
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17 Aug 07 - 06:05 AM (#2127736) Subject: RE: Origins: Four Green Fields - T Makem re; AP story From: weerover 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 |