The Fields of Athenry

9 comments:

Eric Blair said...

So, like what's that mean for for all those great-grandfathers?

Grim said...

It means their great-grandchildren remember other men instead of them. The boys who shipped to Botany Bay didn't have many sons in Boston.

What do you remember if you don't know your family's story? Something else, obviously; we can't do without. Maybe it's one of these legends, like the legends the American Irish (many of whom are about as Irish as I am Cherokee) tell about 'their history.'

On the other hand, I have quite possibly no Irish whatever in me, but I recognize a beautiful song when I hear one. The traditional version of this melody is certainly that; and they managed to turn this version into a surprisingly powerful rendition.

BillT said...

There's a Ukrainian band called "O'Chorniya" that plays the pubs in Kremenchuk, doing covers of Flogging Molly and the Murphys in *Ukrainian* -- they usually lead off with "Fields of Athenry." Best arrive early, get a good seat, and have at least two liters of (local) beer in front of you, cuz even the waitresses can't get through the crowd when the lads are on stage.

Sorta says something about the universality of the medium *and* the message...

Grim said...

It probably does, although I know of a Singapore band that does "Liquor, Beer and Wine" by the Reverend Horton Heat. I'm not sure if that one is quite as universal... but maybe it is!

Assistant Village Idiot said...

Irish music has a following in Bucharest.

http://youtu.be/DNYNNT_gv3w

Grim said...

It may indeed! For what it's worth, though, that song is actually from Newfoundland. That may make the point even better, though; the Newfies want to be Irish, and the good folk in Bucharest sing what they take for Irish songs out of the same longing.

BillT said...

the Newfies want to be Irish

They'd feel right at home on Oileán Thoraigh, except for the dearth of elbow room...

William said...

There's no dearth of Irish pubs here in Deutschland either. Can't turn around without running in to one (which wouldn't be a bad thing if I didn't have other obligations.)

William sends.

Mark B said...

Very stirring.

Too bad they're so many on the dole. Can't be the pride.