No Paddy Left Behind: Make it Work
If legalizing the illegal Irish in Kansas City and beyond is your cup of tea, you might want to support the CD No Paddy Left Behind by Frank Caroll - scheduled for release on July 12. All profits go to the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform.
The song itself champions Irish immigration to America, making, as far as I can tell, no distinction between legal and illegal immigration, but musically and lyrically it’s all very reminiscent of Self-Aid. Inspired by Live-Aid, 1986’s Self-Aid was the Irish music industry’s attempt to raise awareness of the chronic unemployment of the day. I decided to let its recent twentieth anniversary go by without marking it on Irish KC.
Unemployed for large periods of 1986 in Dublin, I was not disinterested in the goals of Self-Aid, but really the event was notable for the music more than the sentiment. Highlight of the day I recall was possibly U2’s wonderfully angry version of Maggie’s Farm.
It was a World Cup year then too, but Self-Aid was held the month before Maradona enchanted us all while we bickered again about divorce. Phil Lynott had left us, so Brush Shields began what almost seems now like a career of tribute performances to probably the most loved Dublin rocker of all.
And then there was that song. The theme/title song was a joint effort by Christy Moore and Paul Doran. I like to blame Doran for Make it Work because Christy always seemed in tune with the nation when writing his own songs, even if he was mostly known for interpreting other writers’ songs.
I can build a house, I can dig a hole, I can bend a fuse, I can climb a pole probably marks for me a low point in Christy’s career. And of course criticizing such lyrics brings out accusations of not wanting to work or even refusing to work.
The ILIR theme song is only available for sale in the New York area, but I imagine if you called the contact number (718) 962-4268 saying you were in Kansas City and wanted to buy it, somebody would come up with something that would make it work.
See Also:
• Feast or Famine: Emigration Assistance
• Irish Minister Lobbies in US for Illegal Irish
• Stage Irish Woman Shows Mexicans the Way
Eolaí gan Fhéile:
I can light a match
I can wnd a watch
I can fix a loo
but do I have to ?
All in all it’s just a another prick with a ball (point pen that is)
“Did ye bring it Ronnie” ? xx eddie.