"Since the English occupation, we have had little or no national art in Ireland at all, and there is not the slightest chance of our ever having it until we get that right of legislative independence, so unjustly robbed from us, until  we are really an Irish Nation ---  nation for whose constitutional liberty Henry Grattan lived and died. There is, however, one art which no tyranny can kill and no penal laws can stifle --- the art of poetry. An art which is one of the supreme triumphs of the race to which we belong. The poetry and music of Ireland have been not merely the luxury of the rich, but the very bulwark of patriotism, the very seed and flower of liberty."

                   --- Oscar Wilde 1882

Derek Warfield “Washington’s Irish (Vol., Songs, Music & Story of the Irish Fight for American Liberty , 1765-1815)” CD:

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

McAlpine's Fusiliers " When Giants Walked Our Streets" CD

I became a die hard fan of these Australian Celtic Rockers a few years back, when in 2007, they sent me a copy of their debut CD, “Sons and Daughters of The Soil”, a phenomenal release that sung the fighting spirit of working class Australia in all its beer, blood and sweat-soaked glory, from the legacy of the Irish convicts and Ned Kelly and his Bushrangers to the mighty fight of the insurgents of the Eureka Rebellion, raising the banner of the Southern Cross, McAlpine’s Fusiliers capture that Aussie-Celt feeling with all its rawness and vitality.  True to their Irish-Australian roots, these balladeers have  really put Bendigo on the map with their Bush Ranging Rock and Rebel Reels, kick starting this musical tale of labor, love, rebellion, and Australia, with one of the best tributes to the Australian Worker, since Alistair Hullet.

   Beginning with the thunderous title track “When Giants Walked Our Streets”, a doughty rousing sing song along that will make you want to rumble and take you to the bloody battlefields of “the War that will end all Wars”, and the plight of working class Aussies giving their lives for a mythical freedom and returning , often with missing limbs, to lives of poverty, hunger and dashed hopes:

“The Twentieth Century split families asunder
With its cannon thunder
Leaving empty chairs and cold double beds
Strangers in photos and hearts full of despair

It was barely twenty years since a generation was blown to hellAnd those who came back were crippled or barely a shell
Jobs were far and few and memories of hunger scarred the soul…”
With a jaunty galloping melody that takes you back, with the skilled  banjo strumming of Link Miller, and the dynamic vocals of Claire Johnson (who also plays the fiddle) and lead guitarist, Leigh Schroeter, accompanied by the accordion finesse of Rowan Blackmore and the indomitable drumming of Sean Loughran, McAlpine’s Fusiliers will never let you down with their exuberant jigs and rocking reels that are absolutely Australian while remaining boisterously Celtic.

Next, “Blackleg Miner”, is a classic anti-scab, pro-Union anthem that is truly reborn with a vengeance thanks to the mighty Aussie Proletarians, known as McAlpine’s Fusiliers. I’d first heard this tune on the Angelic Upstarts album, “Last Tango In Moscow”, with Welshman and former miner, Thomas “Mensi” Mensforth simply doing the old tune A cappella. Let’s  just say that McAlpine’s Fusiliers rendition of this old English folk song is the best that you or I, will ever have the privelege to listen to. But don’t take my word for it, curious readers, get off your arse and get your copy of “When Giants Walked Our Streets”, before its too late !

Afterwards, “The Longneck Reel and Friday Night” is a third piece of evidence (if any is needed!) that McAlpine’s Fusiliers are not whistling Dixie with this Polka-Punk limerick with just enough Honky Tonk to keep you crying in your beer until last call, while giving  your best friend a black eye and simultaneously getting a skull cracking from your ex-girlfriends frying pan. But atleast she likes good down home Swaggie symphonies, and who can make you sing along like  a toothless hillbilly who just had his moonshine still busted up by the revenuers and his pick up truck repossessed, who can else make you want to howl at the full moon about your woes and your joys like the unvarnished, uncompromising, but never uncouth or out of tune, McAlpine’s Fusiliers, who tell a tale of the common man’s trials and tribulations with true grit and grace.

And not to give away too much, but their 4th track on this bad mamma jamma, “The Edge of The World”, is a stellar tribute to the daring prison break of the Fenians at Fremantle Prison, Australia, engineered by John Devoy and his New York brethren of Clan na Gael, and one freedom loving American whaling captain, George Anthony. This dazzling tribute to these brave patriots really captures the spirit of this courageous and brilliant Catalpa rescue to free the six Irish Republican Brotherhood P.O.W.’s , by hell or high water. God Bless McAlpine’s Fusiliers for helping us to remember, with these powerful words of warning :

“So here’s a warning to all you despots who exile liberty
There’s no distance that will ever offer a reprieve
For hope will outlast any prison cell
Even at the End of The World in a man made hell.”

Wise words, indeed.Next, “Portland” is another jubilant jig that functions like a Time Machine, as fiddle, war drums, acoustic guitar, accordion, bass and banjo, take us on a musical sojourn through the gold fields and constructions sites and dance halls and race tracks and football fields and local pubs into the land of Dreamtime. A deeply spiritual song that will feed that musical hunger , where :

“With food in their bellies
And dreams in their sleep
The shackles of the past will fall at their feet”

A song of liberation and resurgam ! Just another reason why McAlpine’s Fusiliers, can’t be beat.

Continuing to rock us off our seats and raise the rafters, next we are treated to a great rendition of “Follow Me Up To Carlow”, and a set of traditional jigs and reels (not to mention their phenomenal version of “Swag Upon me Shoulder and The Siege of Ennis”, that concludes this CD), but one of my favorite tunes on this marvelous rhythmic masterpiece must be “The Great Ocean”, a luminous harmony that captures the unshackled spirit of Australia, and again reminds us of the fact that Australia, like the America, Ireland, Scotland, and so many other nations, were built upon the blood and sweat and sacrifice of countless generations of workers, whom without, there would be nought.

    But the song that really impressed me the most on this fantastic album and caught me by surprise has to be “Facing The Devil”, a song of spiritual warfare and the fight for freedom, as the Fenian brigade of McAlpine’s Fusiliers arm themselves for battle, their only weapons; their trusty banjo, bass and acoustic guitars, accordion, and drums of war :

“Traitors cheered as hearths were pulled down
Of  Patriots led away from their towns
Hearts were smashed and women wailed
As the exiled went out under full sail

Scattered beyond the reach of evil’s hand
Hearths were rebuilt in new lands
The flame of freedom bursts back to life
Good men rally once more to freedoms light.”

And ladies and gentleman, should there be a musical battle, be sure that the mighty McAlpine’s Fusiliers will be the ones that will :

“……rally once more to freedoms light.”

          ---- Rory Dub., Radio Rebel Gael