Irish Ballads

Songs of Traveling

Just as the song The Irish Pub by the High Kings will tell you, you’ll find Irish pubs around the world which is indicative of their extensive history of travel. Whether it be to leave for war and famine or to find a better job and life in another country, the Irish have blessed us with countless songs documenting their time leaving and, in the case of The Rocky Road to Dublin, returning home after being away. Other songs such as Mountains of Mourne lament their time away from home and give us vivid imagery of the veritable paradise they often found their homeland to be.

Love Songs

Second only to the drinking songs, the Irish love song has been covered by many contemporary artists over the years and span the range of the bittersweet love song Danny Boy to the slightly sillier 17th century Banks of the Roses. However I cannot, in good faith, have a section about love songs without including Thomas Moore’s “Last Rose of Summer”- a pining love song about how he yearns to be with his passed loved ones once more.

War Ballads

Likely the most historical of the topics we’ll go over today- the war ballad is sadly a tune that has often been sung in Irish history. From The Rising of the Moon and The Wearing of the Green which talk about the Irish Rebellion on 1798 to Come out Ye Black and Tans which was used during the Irish war of Independence- conflict is no stranger to the Irish from their own wars to their roles played in the World Wars and the Americas.

Drinking Songs

What would the genre be if not for the Irish drinking song- I’m sure everyone has their own favorites from Whiskey in the Jar to Finnegan’s Wake- a song from the 1800’s about waking a man at his own wake by pouring whiskey on him; it’s no secret that the Irish enjoy a good night down at the pub. In fact, much of the reason so many of the older ballads have been passed down to this day and age from the 16th century and beyond, is because of their popularity as songs to sing while at the pub. So be sure to celebrate this age-old oral tradition this Paddy’s day (responsibly, of course) and sing your favorites with whoever you are celebrating the day with. Because on St. Paddy’s day “Everyone’s Irish tonight!”

Listen to your favorite Irish songs and write
the first things that come to your mind.
Try writing your own ballad.