These days it can be difficult, at times, to be proud to be “American”. But it helps if you are both Irish and American, and an amazing tribute like this, dedicated to the Irishmen who fought against the British Army, here in the USA, makes it possible, to again, be proud of your “American Heritage”, without sounding like some kind of rightwing kneejerk throwback to the Reagan era. Than again, these days, in post 9/11 America, you don’t have to reach back into the past to find reactionaries and fascists, and countless willing tools of American and British imperialism.
Despite this depressing fact, this patriotic tribute to “Washington’s Irish”, makes it cool to be proud, once again. And you know that the co-founder of the legendary Wolfe Tones, will not fail to deliver what really is the finest musical masterpiece since The Dubliners “Irish Rebel Ballads”. And with each Derek Warfield release you are always guaranteed to also get a historical lesson, through the superb music, and with the historical booklets, that are always more detailed and in-depth than most full size history books, with the factual story of every song on the CD, because Derek Warfield is not just a gifted musician and song writer, but he’s also a gentleman and a scholar. Yes, that phrase is bandied about, sometimes too much, but this balladeer studied the history of each song that he performs or the song that he actually wrote and he pulls no punches and pulls no stops to give you the full account of both the song itself as well as the archival figures and historical symbols , sung about in each verse, as well as the historical profile of the songwriters themselves. And as if that wasn’t glorious enough, this album’s beautifully illustrated with art from that period, as well as modern artists such as Don Troiani, who really paint a dazzling portrait of many of the soldiers who ousted the Brits.
This poetic odyssey begins with “Irishman’s Epistle (To his Troops at Boston)”, an American Revolutionary era satirical epic that is very Jonathan Swift in its wit and sarcasm :
“By me faith but I think your makers of bulls
With your brains in your breeches and ass in your sculls
Get home with your muskets and put up your swords
And look up your books for the meaning of words
You see now me honeys, how much you’re mistaken
For Concord by discord can never be taken.”
This bit is a great poke at how crestfallen the British were, when their old divide and conquer strategies, failed in their wars against the American colonists, whose religious diversity; Catholics, Moravians, Huguenots, Presbyterians, Pilgrims, Puritans, Quakers, and Mennonites, united, rather than divided them, in their fight against British tyranny. Derek really knows how to bitch-slap the British agenda, and this classic revolutionary war strain was one of George Moore’s collection of ballads from the period in his “Songs of the American Revolution”, which has the intriguing lyrics to so many great songs, minus the music score. Derek Warfield saw this as a great challenge, and did a superb job of writing the music accompaniment, of a tune that would have been forgotten otherwise, and this song really sticks it to the British Imperialist agenda, while making you proud to be a Yank.
Next, the joyous sing along “Dance And The Song And the Shamrock So Green”, written in 1786 by Matthew Carey, for “The Friendly Sons of Patrick” Dinner, to the tune of “Sprig of Shillelagh”, is a song of optimism written during the genesis of the American Republic, and despite how far from the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, this country has really strayed, this really is a brilliant piece of Irish-American musical history.
Afterwards, “The Battle of Kings Mountain”, is a cracking tune whose lyrics were actually found in the pocket of a dead volunteer and preserved by the song collector, Dr. J.H. Logan :
“We shouted the victory that we did obtain
Our voices were heard seven miles on the plain
Liberty it shall stand and the Loyalists will fall
Here’s an end to my song, and may God Bless you all”
This particular tune is really a rousing tub thumper that will make you want to dance, possibly naked through the streets while shadow boxing, or if you’re a more sensible guy, like myself, burn a Union Jack, if you can find one, within walking distance. Where I live in New Brunswick, N.J., you are as likely to find a flying UFO as a Union Jack flying from a local lamp post. Instead, you’ll see many a merry Mexican flag, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Italian, Ukranian, Jamaican, Hungarian, Irish, and of course, an odd American flag as well. But that’s just New Jersey, folks, a land of many cultures.
My favorite tune on this mighty masterpeice must be the third track, “Matthew Carey’s Poem to Saint Tammany”, which is a great tribute to Native American warrior and old school New Yorker, Saint Tammany, written on the date of Saint Tammany’s anniversary on 1st of May, 1786, and who else can do such a remarkable, hats off, to both New York and the legendary Indian chief, Tammany, than the skilled poet and Dubliner, Matthew Carey. Derek Warfield and his Young Wolfe Tones do a brilliant musical version of this classic New York poem. Its just another reason to get yourself a copy, curious reader, because you are seldom disappointed by these lively Young Wolfe Tones.
Something that really should make you proud too, was a quote I came across in the CD insert booklet, by Michael J. O’Brien, commenting on the dedication and courage of the Irish Soldiers of “The Men of the Pennsylvania Line”, fighting against the Brits in the American Revolution, every one an Irishman, and so adroitly, chronicled here :
“While the heroism, devotion, and fidelity of that renowned corps, in supporting and defending the cause they espoused, constitute for its imperishable claims to the respect and admiration of posterity, their story is comparatively little known to the American people, for no literary trumpet has sounded their praises. What more gallant figures in American military annals than Captain John Brady the revolutionary scout and frontiersman, Timothy Murphy the hero of Saratoga, Major John Kelly who destroyed the bridge at the battle of Stony Point? On the retreat from Trenton, thereby saving the Patriot troops from capture. Lieutenant William O’Neill who held in check an English force at the Battle of Brandywine, these and many other equally gallant soldiers were attached to regiment of the ‘Line of Ireland’ but no one except the student of history now recalls their services to their country.”
Derek’s eyes for detail, respect for historical accuracy, and his musical genius, makes this CD another must have, and shows that there will always be an unbreakable link between America and Ireland. Case in point, would be “A Dream of Liberty”, which is probably the most patriotic tune about America, to be written by an Irishman, and another great song that reminds you that the American people, especially the American working class, are not to be confused with the corrupt and despotic U.S. government. Yet another moving poem, put to music, written by Kerryman, Sean McCarthy, who must have fallen in love with this country and had to express his sentiments in prose :
“I wondered then as I watched these men who flouted King George’s might
Would Redcoat hoards with their glittering swords wreck Vengeance in the night
Then a voice rang out in the starry air :
Stand fast young man, be brave
Far better to die ‘neath an open sky
Than to live like a cowering slave.”
-- Rory Dub., Radio Rebel Gael
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