It’s the time of year to celebrate Irish heritage with St. Patrick’s Day. I learn more Irish songs every year, and I ponder what Irish ancestry I might have as I look at a picture of my great-great-great-great-grandfather William Bell’s headstone in Quebec where he was buried in 1816. The genealogy that my mother had done before she passed in 2015 said that William was born in Ireland in 1739. He joined the British Army as a drummer boy and served in the French and Indian War in the US and Canada which ended in 1760 and then later in the war of 1812. I don’t know who his parents were or what they did in Ireland. I often think of what life must have been like for them. Were they subject to the oppression that many Irish knew and rebelled against? Were they musicians? Is that why I have such a deep affection for Irish songs, particularly the ones that get my blood up? I have no doubt that my love for some Irish tunes seems timeless and eternal. I know several versions of “The Water Is Wide” - some even with words written by me. The melody of that tune and several others like the “Mist-Covered Mountains” and the “Wexford Carol” just haunt me like no other songs. I hope to someday know more about my ancestry overseas, but for now I just imagine the lives of those ancestors and celebrate them with the music of Ireland. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Erin go Bragh!
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What have I been up to?
I had 8 senior facilities scheduled last week, but since I had Covid the previous week 2 of them cancelled to fit their guidance around Covid. I did test negative finally which is a relief since I never really did test negative in December when I had Covid.
My Wednesday online show was doing more great songs from 1971, and I had a large group of folks out to hear these tunes and reminisce about that time. It was a blast!
My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests, and there were some really good songs for this show as well as a few new tunes that I really enjoyed. It was a fine audience again - love these folks!
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What am I up to this week?
I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’m having such a good time playing Irish songs for them all and telling funny Irish jokes and stories. They seem to really enjoy them.
My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Irish songs to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. I have well over 100 Irish songs in my repertoire now, and I’m just loving playing them. Come on out and join in!
My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will also be Irish songs on St. Patrick’s Day. I’ll probably even have a little Irish whiskey to honor the day, so it’ll be a lively show. I’d love to have you with me too!
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That’s it for this week. I just love this time of year with the chance to share some different tunes and some vibrant energy.
Best always,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of Irish songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Wednesday, March 13, 7-8:45 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of Irish songs on St. Patrick’s Day
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Sunday, March 17, 7-8:45 pm mountain time