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.
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...
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!
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.
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.)
So, like what's that mean for for all those great-grandfathers?
ReplyDeleteIt means their great-grandchildren remember other men instead of them. The boys who shipped to Botany Bay didn't have many sons in Boston.
ReplyDeleteWhat 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteSorta says something about the universality of the medium *and* the message...
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!
ReplyDeleteIrish music has a following in Bucharest.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/DNYNNT_gv3w
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.
ReplyDeletethe Newfies want to be Irish
ReplyDeleteThey'd feel right at home on Oileán Thoraigh, except for the dearth of elbow room...
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.)
ReplyDeleteWilliam sends.
Very stirring.
ReplyDeleteToo bad they're so many on the dole. Can't be the pride.