Product Description

The story of Ireland - its graces and shortcomings, triumphs and sorrows - is told by the ballads, dirges, and humorous songs of its common people. Music is a direct and powerful expression of Irish folk culture and a beloved aspect of Irish life in the rest of the world. Comprising nearly 690 selections, this work is a record of Irish folk songs before World War II, demonstrating the historical ties between Irish and Scottish folk culture and the tremendous Irish influence on American folk music. The songs, mostly of 19th-century origin, are grouped under three broad headings - life in the old country, the Irish homeland, and personal relationships - and then further classified into twenty-five thematic subjects such as lullabies, laments and sporting songs, as well as songs of love, war, and longing for home. Each selection includes lyrics, melodies in staff notation, information about the song and references to relevant books and recordings. The songs were originally published between 1923 and 1939 as part of the series "Songs of the People" in the Northern Constitution, the weekly newspaper of Colraine, Northern Ireland. They were collected by Sam Henry, a native Irishman whose work as a customs and excise officer brought him in contact with the rural aged and poor, who retained a rich tradition of songs and lore. An ardent amateur folk musician and folklorist, Henry supported the publications of each song with lively, well-informed commentary. Besides the songs themselves and their original commentary, "Sam Henry's Songs of the People" includes a glossary, bibliography, discography, index of titles and first lines, melodic index, index of the original sources of the songs and information about them, geographical index of sources, and three appendixes related to the original song series in the Northern Constitution.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3560505 in Books
• Published on: 1990-11-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 680 pages