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12 Jul 04 - 11:23 AM (#1223903) Subject: Need song suggestions - Irish emigration From: TxCelt Hiya everybody, I'm trying to help a friend put together a show and need some song suggestions. I have faith that the all-knowing crowd on the 'cat can help. We're working to the overall show's theme, and we need some songs to fill out our Irish music part of it. We need famine-era "going to america" emigration songs, but here's the catch... We need upbeat. We've got a few like "Muirsheen Durkin", but I'm drawing a blank for more. We can also use upbeat ocean travel songs. Someone has suggested St. Brendan's fair Isle, to give you some idea. Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks! P.S. A wee bit of advertising... Here's what the show proceeds will be supporting: http://www.irishtradmusic.org/ |
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12 Jul 04 - 02:08 PM (#1224021) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: breezy do the slower ones faster! song : Stattan Island my source The Fureys it begins with the line We sailed our ship up the Hudson River its very upbeat tempo Wild geese |
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12 Jul 04 - 03:28 PM (#1224056) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: cujimmy Some people do " The Fields of Athenry ", upbeat but a lot of people don't like that because the song was not intended to be. |
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12 Jul 04 - 03:40 PM (#1224062) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Deckman This might be a stretch, but I'm trying to help. How about "Starving To Death On A Government Claim?" It's to the tune of "The Irish Washerwoman. I hope this helps. Bob |
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12 Jul 04 - 05:03 PM (#1224110) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: TxCelt Thanks for the idea's... I'm not familiar with a couple of them and will start chasing them down. Also, in reply to an offline comment I got on this... I did lookthrough the DT and the forums, as well as my own piles of songbooks. Since this is a "show", for an audience, I am trying to get ideas not only of what's there, but what other people might like to hear that I wouldn't otherwise think of. Maybe I should have stated that better when opening the thread, but thanks for the response and the commments. |
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12 Jul 04 - 05:26 PM (#1224128) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Marion in Cornwall How about Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears as sung by Sean Keane. lyrics |
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12 Jul 04 - 05:28 PM (#1224130) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Rabbi-Sol The Wolfe Tones did an entire album on this theme which was entitled "Across The Broad Atlantic", and has 13 songs that you can use. Any store specializing in Irish music would carry it. SOL ZELLER |
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12 Jul 04 - 05:57 PM (#1224152) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Don't know much in the way of upbeat Emigration songs. Wouldn't expect a whole lot really. People dealing with loss of friends, separation from family would be usually sad. That not withstanding, have a look at When the Boys Come Rolling Home Now, once here, there was a thread on Happy Immigration Songs |
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12 Jul 04 - 06:16 PM (#1224164) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: DonMeixner Skibereen |
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12 Jul 04 - 06:33 PM (#1224177) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Clinton Hammond "because the song was not intended to be" Thankfully things change... I'm not even sure 'intended to be' is relevant when applied to music... Anyway... I have a 'medley' I guess you'd call it... From Emigration to Immigration... starts with Fields Of A Rye... done, not up-beat per-say, but with a strong attack... With 'stones'... not like most people do it... all misty swirly and with no bones at all... Followed by "The Outside Track" again, not slow... not fast either, but strong... Followed by "When The Boys Come Rolling Home" abso-frigg'n-lootly played FAST! Another good one, though mellow is James Keelaghans "Refugee" Chorus "All the ones who ran from war All the wealthy and the wounded That have landed on this shore They don't mean a thing to me All that matters is the one Who will be with me tomorrow It's a lonely heart That loves the refugee" |
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12 Jul 04 - 06:40 PM (#1224180) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Marion TxCelt, I'd suggest the song "Dixieland" by Steve Earl. This thread discusses it. I know the lyrics don't look very upbeat, but the tune is (at least it is in the recording I heard it on - "Over the Waterfall" by the Conklin Ceilidh Band (Mudcatter Big Mick's Band). Marion |
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12 Jul 04 - 06:45 PM (#1224182) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: semi-submersible TxCelt, you were clear about your needs at the start: upbeat emigration or ocean travel songs, especially with Irish links. Of course we may assume you searched phrases like emi-/immigrate/-ant, take/took ship, move/sail/leave to/for, travel, and bound. But this isn't the kind of query the search engines can handle well, so it makes perfect sense to ask. Sweet Betsey from Pike and Home On the Range are optimistic about a new North American home. The Old Settler couldn't afford to leave his labour-intensive "paradise," until "Now nothing could drive me away." I haven't heard the antebellum Come to Me in Canada yet, but Bartlett & Ruebsaat say "It was probably composed to be sung in the English Music Halls to encourage immigration to the Canadian west." Such songs are mostly regretful, even if resigned: But still the blood is strong, the heart is Highland,/And we in dreams behold the Hebrides. Good luck. |
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12 Jul 04 - 06:54 PM (#1224185) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Marion You should also look into some of Jed Marum's songs (also a Mudcatter, and also a Texan!) He writes/performs a lot of songs dealing with Irish immigrants to America. Here is a link to the lyrics page on his website. In particular, I'd look at Mary McGuill, a love song from a husband who immigrated first and is anticipating his wife's arrival, and at Look Ahead Tommy, which is an immigrant's advice to his grandson to build a better life in the new world. You won't regret buying one of his CDs, even if you don't end up using the song in your show. Marion |
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12 Jul 04 - 06:55 PM (#1224186) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Clinton Hammond There's also "Homeland" by Don McGeoch a song about going BACK home after leaving... A middle verse and chorus "We'll go back with good reason But we'll leave behind The very best friends That we'll ever find And a country that's given us Much more than we've known But it just doesn't feel like home Homeland... Homeland once again I will call you my Homeland" :-) |
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12 Jul 04 - 07:13 PM (#1224193) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Leadfingers What about 'The Irish Rover' - Plenty upbeat with a cargo of bricks for the grand city hall of New York will fit the emigration bit . |
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12 Jul 04 - 07:14 PM (#1224194) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: TxCelt Wow... I actually use my work computer for work for a couple of hours, and look what happens! Thanks for the ideas, all. I will let everyone know how the thing turns out. Just a bit of gratuitious repition, here again is the link to the "cause" we're supporting. if any of you are in teh area, give teh retreat a look-see. www.irishtradmusic.org And Marion, Jed is a friend of mine. I actually got to hear "Look Ahead..." when he first brought it out to a session to polish it up ( or so I understood). The man is an amazing song-writer and a heck-of-a nice guy. It's a good thing that he's so likeable or I would be consumed with jealousy (insert grinning smily here). By all means, anyone cruising this thread who doesn't know Jed, follow Marion's link and check him out! |
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12 Jul 04 - 08:00 PM (#1224209) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Cap't Bob Leaving of Liverpool The Irish Rover Westering Home Wild Colonial Boy They all move along a pertty good clip. Cap't Bob |
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12 Jul 04 - 10:25 PM (#1224253) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Marion TxCelt, I don't care how likable Jed is, I'm consumed with jealousy anyway! Is it the Herman Hall session that you're talking about? I went there while visiting Dallas this spring. Marion |
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12 Jul 04 - 10:37 PM (#1224262) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: mg I think of Dan O'Hara as being an immigration song..not sure. The tune is quite chipper but the words are sad. mg |
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13 Jul 04 - 02:11 AM (#1224353) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: GUEST Thanks Leadfingers for the info about "The Irish Rover" - I always thought that line was - "A cargo of pricks for the grand City Hall in New York" Wasn't Lawson's, "Outside Track" about someone returning to England, or wherever, after having been in Australia? |
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13 Jul 04 - 05:38 AM (#1224432) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Chris Green Not trad but 'Thousands Are Sailing' by the Pogues is probably the best immigrant song I've ever heard and it moves along at a fair old lick! |
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13 Jul 04 - 05:55 AM (#1224439) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: mooman A good upbeat ande "optimistic" trad one (I sing it myself from time to time) is Farewell to old Ireland. Andy Irvine did a fine version of this. Peace moo |
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13 Jul 04 - 09:18 AM (#1224522) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: TS TxCelt...a Canadian Eastcoast band known as "McGinty" has an original that has amazing lyrics...try a hunting down "Immigrant Shore"...you'll not be disappointed......Slainte! |
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13 Jul 04 - 02:44 PM (#1224754) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: cujimmy In the city of Chicago, Where the evening shadows fall, There are people dreaming, Of the hills of Donegal. - Christy Moore |
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14 Jul 04 - 02:22 PM (#1225400) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: MARINER Try some Welsh emmigration songs. Such as The Hennessy's "Tiger Bay" or "The Shores of Patagonia" They also do an Irish song called "The Country I'm Leaving Behind" which fits the bill. |
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14 Jul 04 - 02:56 PM (#1225436) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: GUEST,Liberty Belle Look for Frank Harte's and Donal Lunny's latest CD on the song legacy of the famine it is called 'THE HUNGRY VOICE', it was released about a month ago and there are seventeen songs of emigration of that period on the CD. |
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14 Jul 04 - 06:12 PM (#1225598) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: GUEST Try GOODBYE MICK - it's in the database. "And it's goodbye Mick and goodbye Pat and goodbye Kate and Mary..." maire-aine, cookie-less |
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14 Jul 04 - 07:56 PM (#1225662) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Celtaddict How about the relatively recent but definitely trad-sounding "Come Fare Away" from Jean Ritchie (aka KyTrad on the 'Cat)? As upbeat an immigration song as any out there. Molly, come fare away, Come fare away with me. There's and island of dreams Over the (rolling?) sea... (don't have the recording here at work.) And in the thread cited above is one about returning home to Ireland (where more people are arriving than leaving in recent years, for the first time in 800 or so years), and "Sweet Enniskillen" about recalling the sweet memories of the old home but knowing this is really home now. The last verse mentions "I know I never thought that I'd fit in here In this place of so much bustle, that rattlin' subway train, But so many arms and doors have opened for me, And those arms have wrapped around me, so here I will remain." Ed Miller also does a couple of good ones about the emigrant (now immigrant) and the perpetual balance between loving the old and the new. (OK, he's a Scot, but they are great songs anyway.) One is called At Home Among the Exiles. And the fantasic line, "My only homeland is six feet high. For its independence I would die." Drop me a note if you want words, links, recordings etc. And there is "John Williams," about an Irishman who was thrilled to be emigrating to NY, saying good-bye to "the peelers and the landlords and the risings of the moon." This song has a "kick" at the end if you do not know it. (He is traveling near the turn of the last century, to build a new life with his new wife, in a great new land where he can work to make his dreams come true; he is so glad to be traveling on a big ship, the finest ever built; they say that naught can sink her....) |
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14 Jul 04 - 10:28 PM (#1225727) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Celtaddict Also "Emigrant Eyes" by Guy Clark (not in DT but complete words in threads), recorded by, among others, Mudcat's Seamus Kennedy and Geraldine Doyle (Danny's sister, title track on their joint album). |
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14 Jul 04 - 11:17 PM (#1225745) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: GUEST,JULIA Here's a song written by Geordie MacIntyre for the anniversary of Scots landing here in Midcoast Maine in 1753 Promised Land Words: © Geordie McIntyre 17/08/03 Tune: To Pad the Road wi' Me 1.It was in 1753, In the summer o? that year Some stood silent, others cheered As we left the Greenock Quay We raised a prayer to give us strength An? banish all our fear(s) As we voyaged to a promised land Across the Western Sea? 2.We had maistly cam? frae Stirling An? Glasgow toon as well An the Greenlaw family, frae Edinbro The truth tae ye I?ll tell? There was Malcolm and Kirkpatrick Miller and Johnstone too Weavers, Cooperss and a maker-o?- slates Just tae name a few. 3.The time was in oor favour An? providence proved kind Our course was sure and steadfast As The Dolphin rode the wind Those weary weeks drew to a close When we saw the landbirds fly Then Captain Couters smiled an? he said The wooded coast was nigh? 4.We landed at Piscataquis Our first port of call Then north to Georges River To reach our final goal When we reached the sylvan shore A pipe ? tune filled our ears Aye, there was mony a fit that danced a reel An? mony an eye, wi? tears 5.We had trials and tribulations Which, in time, we did surmount We knew the worth o? friendship And the principles that count This land has been a blessing To me an a? my kin So I raise my glass to America An old ? Scotia far ahin! v4: fit = foot v5: ahin = behind Also How about "The Shamrock Shore" From Londonderry we set sail All on the 8th of May We had a sweet and pleasant gale Going out of Moville Bay fresh water we had twenty tons For passengers did store Lest we should want going to St John Far from the Shamrock Shore And it's up with the anchor and the angry billows roar WE'll drink a toast to the times we had while on the Shamrock Shore etc etc The Irish Rovers recorded it a long time ago |
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23 Jul 04 - 09:28 AM (#1232155) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Celtaddict "Bright Shores of Freedom" recorded by Men of Worth; don't have album handy for who made the song. Chorus goes Come with me Molly, My own darling Molly, Don't be afraid of the storms on the sea. When we [arrive there?] We shall be married On the bright shores of freedom In Americay. If that is the sort of song you are looking for, I can get the info and full lyrics. |
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23 Jul 04 - 12:21 PM (#1232275) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Big Al Whittle Shores of Amerikay often has a jaunty waltz time -although the lyrics are pretty dismal. The same can be said of The Mountains of Mourne. The Irish Guards play Ballyjamesduff as a stirring march , although its usually a waltz. Green Fields of ireland moves at a fair old lick on occasions. sorry if I'm coming up with the bleeding obvious...... |
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23 Jul 04 - 04:33 PM (#1232420) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Willa 'Amelia Where You Bound To' might be suitable - she's pretty positive about getting to those rocky mountains despite all the warnings she gets! The 'Voice of the People ' series of 20 CDs has at least one devoted to emigration songs. |
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23 Jul 04 - 05:01 PM (#1232434) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Mary in Kentucky I know you want Irish tunes, but if you could sneak in "Greensleeves"....... "A Home in the Meadow" from the movie "How the West Was Won" Away, away, come away with me Where the grass grows wild And the winds blow free. midi here (not a good singer, IMO) |
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23 Jul 04 - 05:05 PM (#1232437) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Mary in Kentucky ...or a gorgeous song, An Emigrant's Daughter, words by Barry Taylor, here (probably not upbeat enough) |
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23 Jul 04 - 08:40 PM (#1232542) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Big Al Whittle well for sheer gorgeousness the setting by ralph mctell, but a bit of a wrist slasher as well. hey a jolly one The Rocky road to Dublin! |
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24 Jul 04 - 08:33 AM (#1232733) Subject: RE: Need song suggestions - emigration From: Willa Have just looked out my copy of 'The Voice of the Poeple vol4 Farewell My Own Dear Native Land - Songs of Exile and Emigration'Topic TSCD654 Most of the songe are about Irish Emigration.Green Hills of Canada, Killyclare, Craigie Hill are 'positive' An excellent booklet goes with the CD and gives lyrics Our local music library has the full set available on loan - don't know whether you have the same resource where you are. |