History of Ireland through Song

Part of the Department of European History

Introduction

Ireland's history is rich, and richly recorded in song. The purpose of this project is to provide a listing of songs (and, if possible, a way to obtain them legally, for free), corresponding to various elements of Irish history, complete with commentary and background.

The goal is to develop a greater knowledge and understanding of Irish history through the memorable and enjoyable medium of music (particularly Celtic music).

Tasks

• Create outline of Irish History (this is in the works—see talk page)
• Find and add songs relevant to as many aspects of Irish history as possible

Questions

(Please discuss on the talk page).

• Should we include Scotland, as well, and have a course on the two together, or separately?
• Should there be an option to include songs in Gaelic (or even other languages) for ambitious students?

Participants

Coordinator

• The Jade Knight

Contributors

• The Jade Knight
• Cormaggio
• Kaycee
• Wilkinson
• GeoBard^Rap

Interested Students

• Danielle Ralph
• Ioana
• Koala
• DónalMcK 10:55, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

Supersarah1999 13:09, 8 April 2010 (UTC)

• Lyrasong
• Victoria Butler 17:48, 01 December 2011

Songs

• "Black and Tans" composed by Dominic Behan. (Full version by StoneRing available here.)
• "Bold Fenian Men" written by Peadar Kearney. (2 minute excerpt of the Kellee Brad version available here. Lyrics and midi available here.)
• "The Wind That Shakes the Barley", composed by Robert Dwyer Joyce.
• "Arthur McBride" - lyrics and mp3
• "The sash my father wore" - MIDI & notation
• "The Green Fields of America". Lyrics and midi here, Original 1852 broadside image here.
• "The Foggy Dew", (revolutionary version, 1916) composed by Peadar Kearney or Canon Charles O'Neill. Lyrics and midi here.
• "The Fields of Athenry" - lyrics and midi
• "The Patriot Game, with lyrics by Dominic Behan. (Full version by the Brobdingnagian Bards available here.)
• "Banba Óir (in Gaelic), by Clannad, makes reference to ancient Irish history. (Lyrics and translation here.)
• "Skellig", by Loreena McKennitt; about the monastery on Skellig (lyrics).
• "Bonny Portmore" (traditional). (lyrics.)
• "From Clare to Here", by Ralph McTell (about immigration). (Lyrics available here.)
• "Famine" by Sinead O'Connor, talks about the Irish Famine lyrics.
• "The Wearing of the Green" written at the time of the 1798 Irish rebellion.

Background

Celtic music classifications Notes on Celtic tunes

Related resources

• The Irish Language Department