Click on the headline to link to a "YouTube" film clip of John McCormack performing "The Rose Of Tralee".
Commentary/CD REVIEW
I have mentioned in this space more times than one is reasonably allowed that in my youth in the early 1960's I listened to a local folk music radio program on Sunday nights. That program played, along with highlighting the then current up and coming folk revivalists like Bob Dylan and Dave Van Ronk, much American traditional music including things like the "Child Ballads". In short, music derived from parts of the "British" homeland. What I have not previously mentioned is that directly after that program I used to listen on that same radio station to the "Irish National Hour", a show devoted to all the old more traditional and unknown Irish ballads and songs. And, by the way, attempted to instill a respect for Irish culture, Irish heritage and the Irish struggle against the "bloody" British. (That struggle continues in one form or another today but that is a subject for another time.) Of course, today when every `progressive' radio station (or other technological format) has its obligatory "Keltic Twilight" programs we are inundated with music from the old country and this is no big deal but in those days it was another question.
All of this is by way of reviewing the music of the Irish Diaspora. Our Irish forebears had the `distinct' opportunity of following the British flag wherever it went, under one set of terms or another. And remember in those days the sun never set on that British Empire. So there are plenty of far-flung traditions to talk about. But, first comes the old country. Chocky Ar La (roughly translated- "Our Day Will Come")
Music For St. Patty's Day
Celtic: The Heart Of Ireland, Worldscapes, Mastertone, 1998
I have attempted, in order commemorate the celebration of Easter 1916 this year, in this space to go behind the usual St. Patty’s Day Irish music known to one an all, Irish or not. You know, those who are green for a day and then forget it. Fair enough. However I believe, in the interest of completeness, that it is necessary to take a look at those obvious Irish tunes, bastardized as they may have become over time and travel. Here goes.
This compilations of well- known Irish songs has the virtue of being produced by a record company that specializes in world musical traditions and so therefore has produced a representative sampling of Irish music that reflects the old instrumentals, the songs of loves lost or unrequited, songs of longing for Ireland, children’s songs and songs from the British occupation. Outstanding here are “Country Medley” to highlight the reel and jig tradition. “The Rose Of Tralee” for love’s longing. “Roison The Bow” and Carrickfergus” for longing for Ireland. “Three Grey Geese” for the kids. In this compilation “Galway Bay” with its line about the British trying to impose their strange language on the Irish will have to do for the political end.
The Rose of Tralee
By William Pembroke Mulchinock
The pale moon was rising above the green mountains,
The sun was declining beneath the blue sea,
When I strayed with my love by the pure crystal fountain,
That stands in the beautiful Vale of Tralee.
She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me.
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.
The cool shades of evening their mantle were spreading,
And Mary all smiling was listening to me.
The moon through the valley her pale rays was shedding,
When I won the heart of the Rose of Tralee.
She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me.
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.
In the far fields of India 'mid war's dreadful thunders,
Her voice was solace and comfort to me.
But the chill hand of death has now rent us asunder,
I'm lonely tonight for the Rose of Tralee.
She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me.
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.
Commentary/CD REVIEW
I have mentioned in this space more times than one is reasonably allowed that in my youth in the early 1960's I listened to a local folk music radio program on Sunday nights. That program played, along with highlighting the then current up and coming folk revivalists like Bob Dylan and Dave Van Ronk, much American traditional music including things like the "Child Ballads". In short, music derived from parts of the "British" homeland. What I have not previously mentioned is that directly after that program I used to listen on that same radio station to the "Irish National Hour", a show devoted to all the old more traditional and unknown Irish ballads and songs. And, by the way, attempted to instill a respect for Irish culture, Irish heritage and the Irish struggle against the "bloody" British. (That struggle continues in one form or another today but that is a subject for another time.) Of course, today when every `progressive' radio station (or other technological format) has its obligatory "Keltic Twilight" programs we are inundated with music from the old country and this is no big deal but in those days it was another question.
All of this is by way of reviewing the music of the Irish Diaspora. Our Irish forebears had the `distinct' opportunity of following the British flag wherever it went, under one set of terms or another. And remember in those days the sun never set on that British Empire. So there are plenty of far-flung traditions to talk about. But, first comes the old country. Chocky Ar La (roughly translated- "Our Day Will Come")
Music For St. Patty's Day
Celtic: The Heart Of Ireland, Worldscapes, Mastertone, 1998
I have attempted, in order commemorate the celebration of Easter 1916 this year, in this space to go behind the usual St. Patty’s Day Irish music known to one an all, Irish or not. You know, those who are green for a day and then forget it. Fair enough. However I believe, in the interest of completeness, that it is necessary to take a look at those obvious Irish tunes, bastardized as they may have become over time and travel. Here goes.
This compilations of well- known Irish songs has the virtue of being produced by a record company that specializes in world musical traditions and so therefore has produced a representative sampling of Irish music that reflects the old instrumentals, the songs of loves lost or unrequited, songs of longing for Ireland, children’s songs and songs from the British occupation. Outstanding here are “Country Medley” to highlight the reel and jig tradition. “The Rose Of Tralee” for love’s longing. “Roison The Bow” and Carrickfergus” for longing for Ireland. “Three Grey Geese” for the kids. In this compilation “Galway Bay” with its line about the British trying to impose their strange language on the Irish will have to do for the political end.
The Rose of Tralee
By William Pembroke Mulchinock
The pale moon was rising above the green mountains,
The sun was declining beneath the blue sea,
When I strayed with my love by the pure crystal fountain,
That stands in the beautiful Vale of Tralee.
She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me.
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.
The cool shades of evening their mantle were spreading,
And Mary all smiling was listening to me.
The moon through the valley her pale rays was shedding,
When I won the heart of the Rose of Tralee.
She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me.
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.
In the far fields of India 'mid war's dreadful thunders,
Her voice was solace and comfort to me.
But the chill hand of death has now rent us asunder,
I'm lonely tonight for the Rose of Tralee.
She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,
Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me.
Oh no, 'twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.
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