Some Irish Cheer

Yes, it's lent, but we're not supposed to look like we're fasting, right? So, leading up to St. Patrick's Day, I'm going to post some links and songs full of good Irish cheer. My first link and song is from an aquaintance of mine, Robbie O'Connell, singer-songwriter extraordinaire. His mother was a sister of the famous Clancy Brothers. He wrote this song based on his own experience plying his trade in the USA. As a singer of Irish songs, I sympathize. I've sung "Danny Boy" quite enough times to be tired of it. And "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" was written by an American-born Jew, not unlike several songs often thought of as Irish.

"You're Not Irish"


When first I came to the USA with my guitar in hand
I was told that I could get a job singing songs from Ireland
So I headed up to Boston, I was sure it would be alright
But the very first night I got on the stage, I was in for a big surprise
They said:

CHORUS
You’re not Irish, you can’t be Irish, you don’t know “Danny Boy”
Or “Toora Loora Loora” or even “Irish Eyes”
You’ve got a hell of a nerve to say you came from Ireland
So cut out all the nonsense and sing “McNamara’s Band”

To tell the truth I got quite a shock and I didn’t know what to say
So I sang a song in Gaelic, I thought that might win the day
But they looked at me suspiciously and I didn’t know what was wrong
Then all of a sudden they started to shout “ Now sing a real Irish song”

The next day I was on my way, for Chicago I was bound
I was ready to give it another try and not let it get me down
From the stage they looked quite friendly but I’d hardly sung one word
When a voice called out from the back of the room and what do you think I heard?

Now I’ve travelled all round the country, but it’s always been the same
From LA to Philedelphia, and from Washington to Maine
But sometimes now I wonder if it’s a secret society
And it doesn’t matter wherever I go, they’ll be waiting there for me
Saying:

You’re not Irish, you can’t be Irish, you don’t know “Danny Boy”
Or “Toora Loora Loora” or even “Irish Eyes”
You’ve got a hell of a nerve to say you came from Ireland
So cut out all the nonsense and sing “McNamara’s Band”