Posts Tagged ‘Irish music’

More Irish Music

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

I am in the mood for Irish music this week so have just posted two more songs: “The Rising of the Moon,” and “Mrs. McGrath.”

You will see that a lot of traditional Irish ballads have “war and turmoil” at their center. It is heartening to know that I come from a sturdy race who were not afraid to stand up for themselves.

When I posted the term “Fighting Irish,” yesterday, Jim had to look that up. He found a number of references including current sports teams, especially the football team at Notre Dame. Other references include the Irish regiments who held back General Robert E. Lee’s forces at one of the major Civil War battles. It is speculated that Lee himself gave them the name, based on their ferocious and brave fighting, no holds barred.

The etymology of words and terms is most interesting and I provide that knowledge, whenever I come across it, as you will see in another of these Irish music files.

If anyone has any photos of Ireland that they can legally share with me, please send them to pat@quiltersmuse.com and I will add them to these music files. I would especially appreciate landscapes, seascapes, and photos of architecture.

Enjoy!

Happy to be Irish,

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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Irish Songs

Monday, July 20th, 2009

They call the Irish “the Fighting Irish.” There is a reason for that, and if you look at Irish History, you will find that Irish Music is very much linked to oppression by the English, religious disputes, and the rich v. the poor subsistence farmers. The great discrepancy comes between the industrialized North and the agricultural Republic of Ireland.

I grew up viewing the videos on television of school children throwing rocks at other kids of a different religious persuasion. It is clear to understand that hatred in ingrained by parents and passed from generation to generation.

Well, between yesterday and today, I have recorded two Irish songs, “The Ould Orange Flute,” and “The Wearing of the Green.” In both, I do not use an instrument other than my own voice because I want you to hear the words clearly.

I have much more to learn about Ireland but my studies of it so far have been enlightening and grand. Let me remind you of an exhibit of Irish quilts that we saw and photographed for The Quilter magazine a few years ago, when they were shown at the Craftadventures Show in Springfield, Massachusetts, along with many Irish-themed crafts. It was a delight to be able to see what Irish women are making today.

“… and still I’m on my way,”

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

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