History of Ireland through Song

Part of the Department of European History

## Introduction

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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

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* 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

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(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

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#### Coordinator

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* The Jade Knight

#### Contributors

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* The Jade Knight
* Cormaggio
* Kaycee
* Wilkinson
* GeoBardRap

#### Interested Students

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* 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

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* "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

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Celtic music classifications Notes on Celtic tunes

## Related resources

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* The Irish Language Department