The Risin' of the Moon

So last week in class we listened to Sinead O'Connor's rendition of "The Foggy Dew," an Irish folk song about the 1916 Easter Rising. It's kind of funny that that was on of our examples, because Ireland is now going through quite a bit of political turmoil.

The Easter Rising was a failed insurrection during Easter Week 1916 by the Irish Republicans who wished to put an end to British rule in Ireland, and was the largest uprising since the rebellion of 1798. The Irish Republicans' citizen army unfortunately failed to take back Dublin Castle, the center of British government in Ireland. Throughout the week the Irish citizens were unable to push back against the returning British forces due to ammunition that never arrived and hundreds of casualties. After several days, the leaders of the rebellion were forced to surrender after continuous shelling to their headquarters caused a collapse.

Ireland has once again fallen victim to political turmoil. The government has accepted a $113 billion dollar bailout plan from the EU, as the country is near bankrupt. Prime minister Cowen stepped down over the weekend as head of his party, Fianna Fail, but has said he will stay on as prime minister until the elections on March 11 (which may be moved to February 25th). Recently, six government ministers resigned within 24 hours of each other. Many Irish politicians are under the impression that Cowen's party will fall apart, and even the head of Sinn Fein, the political power in charge of Northern Ireland, is planning on entering himself into this issue in Ireland.

It's been very interesting for me to keep up with all of this. Though I have never been to Ireland, I have wanted to go for a very long time and I very much so enjoy keeping up with what's going on over there. Every few months or so you hear about another bombing in Belfast or another problem within the government, and I often think about how Ireland has never really been peaceful. Looking back at its history, Ireland has almost always been controlled by another nation (usually the Brits), and when they're not under empirical control, they're battling with each other over who should be in power. The idea of almost eternal political unrest is absolutely baffling to me, and I know that I personally would not be able to live under conditions like that.

I've been interested in Irish music since my brother started playing fiddle with the Irish Arts of St. Louis, getting lessons at folk music shop near my house back at home, but it wasn't until last year when I took an Irish Literature class that I realized a very large majority of Irish music is in protest. For example, "The Rising of the Moon" is about the rebellion against the Brits in 1798.

here's a portion of the lyrics:

There beside the singing river that dark mass of men were seen
Far above their shining weapons on their own immortal ring.

Death to every fallen traitor forward strike the marchin' tune
And hurrah my boys, for freedom! Tis the rising of the moon.

How well they fought for poor old Ireland, and full bitter, was their fate
Oh what glorious pride and sorrow fills the name of ninety-eight.

Yet thank God while hearts are beating, each man bears a burning wound
We will follow in their footsteps, at the rising of the moon.