Categories: LIFESTYLE

Six Famous Irish Songs

What is St. Patrick’s Day without traditional Irish songs? If you don’t know of them personally, you have probably heard them being sung this time of year.

Irish folk music continues to fascinate us, as it has basically kept most of the components that made it unique when Irish immigrants came to this country and brought their music traditions with them. Irish music has not being watered down or “Americanized”, giving it a certain genuineness. What has happened is that Irish music has influenced or given birth to other music forms, such as country music. Even rock music has been influenced by it, as many popular rockers, such as U2, Van Morrison and The Pogues, are rooted in the traditional Irish music they were brought up on.

Some popular Irish songs you may have heard are:

Cockles and Mussels

Many traditional Irish songs tend to be on the maudlin side and Cockles and Mussels is no exception. James Yorkston is credited as being the composer of the heartrending song is about a beautiful girl who pushes her wheelbarrow along the streets of Dublin, selling fish and tragically dying of a fever. The song has also been titled Molly Malone. Stories have always circulated that the tale is based upon a real life woman who was, from whatever version of the rumor you wish to choose, was either a prostitute or purely virtuous. No proof has ever been provided for this assumption, but I suppose attaching such a story to the song makes it far more interesting.

Danny Boy

Every St. Patrick’s Day, without fail, this well-known Irish song is trotted out. Danny Boy, based on an old Irish tune known as The Londonderry Air, was written by Englishman Frederick Weatherby. It was first popularized around the turn of the last century and performed by Irish-American singers, such as Elsie Griffin. Danny Boy is used as the theme for the Commonwealth Games for Northern Ireland. Due to its obvious sentimental quality, instrumental versions of this song have been played for numerous funerals and other sad occasions. This is the ultimate “tears in your beer” song.

Finnegan’s Wake

This wordy song encouraged novelist James Joyce to give one of his novels the same title. The amusing Finnegan’s Wake is considered to be sort of a traditional Irish drinking song, the lyrics jokingly referring to the Irish love for funerals and the comical consequences of too much whiskey.

Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye

Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye is a traditional Irish song with an anti-war theme and an Americanized version of it called When Johnny Comes Marching Home came out of it. The Irish version of the song was likely inspired by Irish soldiers who served in the British East India Company. A book on the tragically brief Presidency of Irish-American U.S. President John F. Kennedy was titled after the Irish song.

The Girl I Left Behind Me

Film buffs may recall the use of this traditional Irish tune in the movie She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. The old ballad that The Girl I Left Behind Me is derived from comes from as far back as the year 1650. It’s a lively, jaunty song and has been played a numerous occasions by American and British military bands. There are several variations of the song’s lyrics.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Chauncey Olcott and George Graff, Jr. penned the words to When Irish Eyes Are Smiling and Ernest Ball wrote the music. The song was published in 1912 and used in the Irish-themed musical The Isle o’ Dreams. It is yet another weepy tune connected with holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, but fits perfectly with the special day at hand.