Far From the Shamrock Shore: The Story of Irish-American Immigration Through Song - Hardcover

Moloney, Mick

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0609607200 ISBN 13: 9780609607206

Publisher: Crown, 2002

Synopsis

From the lush green hills of their homeland to the cramped ghettoes of industrialized cities an ocean away, from the famine-ravaged fields of Ireland to the community dance halls in America, the Irish documented their history through song.

Far from the Shamrock Shore tells the story of Irish immigration to America in words and lyrics, with an accompanying CD further illustrating the journey through song. The Irish-American folk and popular songs featured complement the text, highlighting issues immigrants faced and the social conditions they experienced from the 1700s to the early twentieth century. They tell of the backbreaking task of survival in the New World; the battles waged for fair treatment and fair pay for the work done by these immigrants on railroads, on canals, and in mines, construction, and factories; the success that they ultimately attained in politics, business, and society; and their continuing influence on American life and culture.

About this title

About the Author

Mick Moloney, a native of Limerick, was part of the '60s folk revival in Ireland and has recorded more than 40 albums/tapes/CDs. A college professor, arts administrator, radio and TV personality, he has received numerous accolades and was twice named one of the "Top 100 Irish Americans" by Irish America magazine. A frequent and respected contributor to academic journals, he performs regularly on radio and TV as well as touring and performing extensively.

From Library Journal

St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching, and millions of Americans will be gathering to celebrate their Irish heritage. Most of them would have difficulty naming any Irish song beyond "Danny Boy" which is ironic considering that the songwriter was an Oxford-educated English barrister who never set foot outside his native country. In a rambling but entertaining narrative, actor McCourt (Singing My Him Song) explores not only the 1913 marriage of Frederick Weatherly's lyrics to the Derry Air but also the origins of the music, the continuing attraction of the song, and even the mystery of the narrator. Who is bidding farewell to Danny? Is it his father? His mother? Perhaps his homosexual lover? All are weighed and evaluated with the kind of attention devoted to sacred texts. The work concludes with a select discography, including performances by Papa John Creech, Bing Crosby, and Elvis Presley, among others. One person who could name any number of Irish songs is ethnomusicologist and acclaimed Irish singer Moloney (Ph.D., Univ. of Pennsylvania). Drawing on Irish and Irish American songs to illustrate the tale, Moloney surveys the experiences of Irish immigrants to 1900. His brief book includes song lyrics and specific song histories and is accompanied by an 18-song CD. Using music as a framework, Moloney explores why Irish Catholics and Protestants left the old country and their respective lives once they landed here. Concentrating primarily on Irish Catholics, Moloney's text focuses on Irish encounters with prejudice ("no Irish need apply") and the post-Civil War transition into the middle class. It is an oft-told tale but one that Moloney hopes will inform contemporary Irish Americans confronting a new generation of immigrants. McCourt's book is recommended for popular song collections in public libraries, while Moloney's should find a place in history and popular culture collections. Christopher Brennan, SUNY at Brockport Lib.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Crown
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0609607200
• ISBN 13: 9780609607206
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40