"THE TROUBLES" IN IRELAND jacquelin C. Peters 'Tis Ireland, my country, the birthplace ofheroes , Moore, whose reputation in Ireland is comparable to Tbe home of the patriot, warrior and sage, that of the late Woody Guthrie in America, has Of bards and of chieftains, whose names live in written a wealth of songs on many social issues. story, Frank Harte, the All-Ireland Champion singer from May they live forever, on history's page. Chapelizod in Dublin, has a repertory of over 8,000 You once were a proud and glorious nation, songs. Son of a "pub" proprietor and an architect by Your name and yourfame were known all over the profession, Mr. Harte was introduced to traditional world, Irish songs by a fateful encounter with a man selling 'Til misfortune came o'er you and sad desolation, sheet music at a fair. This began a life-long passion Your moral banner in slavery lay unfurled. for collecting songs and for the culture that goes with (excerpt from "A1y Own Native Land," a tradi­ them. tional song) CITATIONS AND FURTHER READINGS "The troubles" is the euphemism used in Ireland Cowdery, James R.l990. TbeMelodic Tradition of to refer to the host of prob­ Ireland. Kent: The Kent lems attending the conflict State University Press. over British presence in Ireland. 1985 . Tbe New that land. Irish history pro­ Encyclopedia Britannica. vides ample themes for 6:378-382. music of struggle sung in Kelly, K. 1982. Tbe the scan-nos ("old") style. Longest War: Northern Ire­ There is much historical land and the IRA. Dingle, commentary on politics, Westport and London. persecution and the love Moore, Christy. 1984. and longing for the land; Tbe Christy Moore Song­ but there is also a wealth of book. Dover, New Hamp­ contemporary expressions shire: Brandon Book Pub­ that address the tragedies lishers. Traditional Irish music and dance were performed at a of occupation and civil war, benefit concert in New York City in February, 1990. Performing Harte, Frank, ed. (In the loss of family mem­ are (left to right): Myron Bretholz- bodhran (Irish drum), press). Songs of Dublin. bers, and the corruption of Mark Simas- guitar, jerry 0 'Sullivan- uillean pipes, Seamus Cork, Ireland: Ossian Pub­ Connolly- fiddle, james Keane- Irish accordion. (Photo by childhood innocence. Sarah Towle) lishers. The old repertory, never abandoned and therefore never subjected to a "re­ SUGGESTED LISTENING vival," provides historical context for the new songs Harte, Frank. Daybreak and a Candle-End. that chronicle current events destined to become part SPIN 995. of traditional lore. _____. And Listen to My Song. SPIN Musicians who compose and perform traditional 994. Irish songs of struggle include Paddy Tunney, a mas­ Men of No Property. Ireland: Tbe Final terful singer and participant at the 1976 Festival of Strnggle. Paredon P 1039. American Folklife; Tommy Sands, renown song­ Moloney, Mick, Robbie O'Connell & Jimmy writer who expresses reconciliatory themes; Dermot Keane. Kilkelly. Green Linnet Records CSIF 1072. Henry, a singer of "rebel songs" now residing in New Moloney, Mick, Jimmy Keane, Robbie York; and Cathie Ryan-Henry, also based in New O'Connell, and Liz Carroll. Tbere Were York and possessed of an excellent voice and trained Green Linnet Records CSIF 1057. by her parents in the old style. Composer Christy 76 .