Sing A Powerful Song

One of the ways in which the Irish differ from Americans -or so I'm assured by the American friends I've brought along to Irish parties — is that at the point when, in the US, the party would be ending and everyone heading for home, the Irish will sit around in a circle and begin a singing session.

This phenomenon is considered unique for several reasons.

First of all, everyone knows the songs.

Secondly, everyone has their own song. One of my brothers sings "Raglan Road", for example, and I can be tempted into doing "Sick Note".

Third, there is no visible generation gap. From teenager to grandparents, everyone gathers round, everyone is considered equal, and everyone contributes. This apparently is unheard of in the USA, where the kids go off to do their own thing, and are expected to do so. I haven't been at an American party to verify this myself yet, but I've had it confirmed by several people that I've asked about it.

One change is becoming noticeable at the Irish gatherings on such occasions however. The nature of the songs being sung by the youngsters is changing. I don't mean necessarily that modern songs are being added to the usual repertoire of all-time hits, since this has always been the case.

Rather the list of 'Emigrant songs' is now being augmented by material from the Pogues or the Saw Doctors. The Saw Doctors in particular seem to have struck a chord, with music that describes a more updated version of the things that are missed about home. Gone are the Mountains of Mourne and the Cliffs of Doneen, and in their place are Presentation Boarders and Prefab School buildings.

I'm not sure what to make of this, but I know that I can relate to the Saw Doctors music, and the items of my rural youth that they catalog, from the summer discos and hay-baling to time spent in the FCA.

Which is why I'm looking forward to next Saturday, when the Saw Doctors play Irish Fest in Chicago. Chicago's Irish Fest has been going for a few years now, and is still behind Milwaukee in scope and scale, but has the advantage of taking place over a holiday weekend.

Unfortunately, the holiday happens to be Memorial Day, when Murphy's Law decrees that the skies will open, so bring your wellingtons.