I've Got Rings on My Fingers

After The Ball (1974)

Joan Morris, William Bolcom (piano)

This hit by Maurice Scott was a introduced by Vaudeville star Blanche Ring in a Weber and Fields musical in 1909, but the stereotype of the glib, cheerful and often intoxicated Irish-American goes back to the middle of the 19^th century.

Paddy's Lamentation; Ships are Sailing

The Irish in America: Long Journey Home (OS 1998)

Mary Black (vocal), Mairtin O'Connor (accordion), Paddy Glackin (fiddle)

America didn't always think of the Irish as loveable. When over one and one-half million of them arrived here between 1844 and 1851 (driven out of Ireland by the potato famine) they found discrimination and a willingness to use them as cannon fodder in the Civil War

No Irish Need Apply

The Hand That Holds the Bread (1978)

Kate Scharre (vocal), Cincinnati's University Singers

And after the war they found job discrimination and insulting ethnic stereotyping in popular entertainment, where they were treated (along with blacks) as the butt of America's racist humor. This song is actually from 1864, when the Irish were achieving political power and stereotypes were changing.

Muldoon, the Solid Man; Grandfather's Tune

The Irish in America: Long Journey Home (OS 1998)

Mick Moloney (vocal, guitar), Paddy Moloney (tin whistle), Eileen Ivers (fiddle), John Whelan (accordion), James J. Higgins (percussion)

A song about that increasing political power. Paddy and Mick Moloney are also part of The Chieftains.

How Are Things in Glocca Morra?

American Musical Theatre, V. 2 (1989)

Ella Logan

From the original cast recording of Finian's Rainbow (1947), an odd fantasy about a leprechaun, his pot of gold, and racism in the old South. The music is by Burton Lane, lyrics by E.Y. "Yip" Harburg.

Carrickfergus

Feet of Flames (OC 1998)

Anne Buckley

A traditional Irish tune. Like "How Are Things in Glocca Mora?", it's about homesickness (among other things).

Paddy's Mazurka

Anges Browne (OS 2000)

Dave Mullaney (accordion), Ger Kiely (guitar)

Music for this Anjelica Huston film is by Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains

Grab the Money

Tripping Up the Stairs Reel

Dancing at Lughnasa

Dancing at Lughnasa (OS 1998)

Nollaig Casey (fiddle), Mairtin O'Connor (accordion), Davy Spillane (pipes, low whistle), Martin Murray (banjo), Sean D. Halpenny (bodhran), Bill Whelan (drums and percussion)

The score is by Bill Whelan, best known for as the composer of Riverdance.

The Irish Ballad

Tom Lehrer Revisited (1959)

Tom Lehrer

Well, it can't all be good taste, can it?