Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920 (Music in American Life)

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, meticulously researched, and deftly written.
Review: Dr. Williams takes what may at first seem like a narrow subject---Irish-American song lyrics---and uses it to tell not only the story of the Irish in America, but of American popular culture as well. This book is full of revelations. Readers unfamiliar with the subject matter will be surprised to learn that not too long ago in our history, Irish-American music and popular culture were practically synonymous. Others with a more sophisticated knowledge of Irish American history will be delighted at all sorts of surprises---e.g., "The Cobbler" and "The Real Old Mountain Dew," two songs popularized by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Maken early in their career, were actually written by Ned Harrigan, a 3rd-generation Irish-American New Yorker. Through his fascinating account of the lives and careers of Harrigan and other stars of Irish-American culture, Williams re-creates a largely forgotten era in American life. His analysis of the history and meaning of the achievements of these artists helps define this remarkable period of creativity and transition in American cultural expression.

Rating:
Summary: 1997 Deems Taylor Award from ASCAP.
Review: This book won a 1997 Deems Taylor Award from ASCAP.