Thursday

+----------------+
|This memorial |
|stands outside |
|Newry to |
|commemorate |
|Bobby Sands, who|
|was the |
|parliamentary |
|representative |
|for Fermanagh |
|and South Tyrone|
|when he died in |
|the H-Blocks of |
|Long Kesh |
|prison, on 5th |
|May, 1981 after |
|66 days of |
|hunger-strike. |
+----------------+

"Irish Song & Europe" was the title for Tommy Sands talk on Thursday
morning. In a very well executed presentation, he discussed both the
European contributions and influences within Irish music, and the effect
Irish music has had as it traveled across Europe, carried by the
diaspora of immigrants, itinerant workers and later by modern Irish
musicians carrying their music back to Europe.

Beginning with a song called "Let the Circle be Wide Round the
Fireside," Tommy drew us into his session as a storytelling and song
experience that was very informative, yet comfortable - like we were
sitting in his living room chatting over tea.

As he talked about Irish music throughout history, Tommy brought us full
circle from the origins of song with Amergon the Bard of the Milesians
to sharing personal experiences of The Sands Family touring Europe. The
language barrier has always been a challenge, and Tommy explained how
The Sands Family embraced that by making efforts to translate some of
their songs and even show similarities between Irish traditional tunes
and those of other cultures. He showed a piece of a video tape from a
Sands Family performance in East Berlin in 1975, the young people were
all singing along to "The Winds Are Singing Freedom" and standing in
their seats. The power of music and song was evident, and I think that
must be a very rewarding thing.

In answer to a question from Jim Gillespie, he told us about the song
"Hearts of Wonder," which he co-wrote with Pete Seeger, inspired by a
discussion on how music is sometimes used by institutions to divide
people. They wanted to write a song about how music can unify.

In the very unassuming yet profound manner that is characteristic of
Tommy Sands, he sketched a vivid portrait for us during that one hour
together of what a powerful influence, both constructive and
destructive, music and song can be on society. He and his family have
made a lifetime effort of finding ways to use their art -- the music of
the people -- as a powerful tool toward peace.

This is my favorite quote of Tommy's. I've heard him say it more than
once, and it is so very representative of the convictions and
motivations apparent in him:
_Two buses met at a narrow bridge, and neither of them wanted to give
way because the drivers didn't want to put off their passengers.
Eventually some of the passengers got off and said, "Look, go back. It's
all right. We ALL want to go forward."_

------------------------------------------------------------------------

+----------------+
|Magpies are |
|black and white |
|birds that are |
|common all over |
|Ireland. |
|According to |
|this rhyme that |
|Tommy Makem |
|taught us, you |
|will know your |
|fortune by the |
|number of |
|Magpies you see |
|together at |
|once. |
| |
| |
| |
|* 1* for sorrow |
|*2* for joy |
|*3* it's a girl |
|*4* it's a boy |
|*5* for silver |
|*6* for gold |
|*7* for a story |
|that's never |
|been told. |
+----------------+

The other Tommy, Tommy Makem, that is, was our tour guide for the
afternoon, telling wonderful stories and poems as we toured the land
that he calls Home. The agenda was very full, and unfortunately we were
somewhat hurried, but it was still an awesome afternoon.

From Belleek, in the heart of South Armagh, we headed for the cathedrals
of Armagh city. We only had time to visit one, but it was certainly
impressive. We waited while a wedding finished up inside and took
advantage of the view over the city and the beautiful grounds and
cemetery. I must pause here to extol the amazing skills and agility of
our bus driver -- I think it was Eunan that day. The gates of the
cathedral were mere centimeters wider than the bus itself, but we slid
through with nary a scratch. Breathes were exhaled in unison and a round
of applause went up after our crossings.

A quick ride through the city and then we were off to the Navan Ring
Fort Visitor's Center.

We spent an hour or so at the Navan Fort Centre (here is a web site
about it [1]) going through a very, very well done presentation of the
history and folklore of the site. While most of us were inside seeing
the presentation and exhibits, one member of our group, talented poet
Connie Jeffrey, was outside with the muses. The ancient Gaelic name for
the site is "Emain Macha," thus the title for Connie's poem. She shared
several poems with us over the course of the week, some she wrote then
and some she'd written previously. I enjoyed them all and felt they
added another facet to the week's experiences. Thanks Connie!
+---------------------------+
|*Music of Macha's Fort* |
| |
|Hear me, Macha |
|Navan, all the spirit |
|herein |
|I sing my song to you |
|without words |
|only heartbeats skipping |
|in between the winds. |
|My watching protector |
|trees are here. |
|A ring of them like Gullion|
|green cloaked and waving. |
|Rushing wind |
|and birds-the only sounds I|
|hear. |
| |
| |
| |
|Come around, magpies, |
|five of them for silver. |
|The clouds, the green mound|
|and the trees |
|all have answers of their |
|own. |
|I have no questions now |
|just waiting. |
|Silver the promised rain. |
|This ground's music |
|will come to me |
|as surely as it has always |
|been here. |
| |
| |
| |
|© Connie Sanford Jeffrey |
+---------------------------+

From Navan Fort, the bus took us up through Keady, Tommy Makem's home
town and on to the village of Derrynoose. From there, we diverted to
some country roads that I am sure were never meant to see the likes of
the huge tour bus we were riding in. Even the sheep and the cows were
gaping at this bus in shock. There was no way any other car was going to
get by us... the rock walls on both sides of the road were practically
scraping the paint off the bus. (Thank goodness for Eunan's talented
driving!) Tommy was at the front of the bus, giving directions and just
when we were really starting to wonder where the heck we were going, we
were there. "There" turned out to be a farm yard somewhere deep in Makem
Country.

Now I am sure that we were an odd sight -- 30 or so folks, Americans,
Dutch, and yes, even a few Irish -- getting off this huge cushy tour bus
in the middle of a farm yard. Tommy led us up the hill along a tractor
path. A ways up the hill we were welcomed into a cozy little cottage by
the rest of the Makem clan, who were already waiting for us, and a few
locals. Drinking songs were the theme for the afternoon and without
getting too specific, I will say this: Tommy Makem and his family and
friends showed us the FINEST of Celtic hospitality! This visit was a
true cultural experience that I can say with confidence probably would
never be on a normal tour agenda or recommended in a guide book. For
that fact alone, I will always remember that day, and I will always feel
very honored and fortunate that I was a part of it. My sincere thanks to
Tommy, Peter, John, Randall and the rest of the Makem Clan. When the
lads started singing "The Old Stone Wall," I couldn't help but think,
"It just doesn't get better than this."

Also thanks to a Dublin lady named Mary Macilvoy for sharing a song she
wrote called "Northern Sky" .

Reversing course, we headed back to the town of Keady and had dinner at
the Old Mill, then jammed up traffic while we posed for a group picture
in front of the Monument to Monuments, which is situated on the island
of a roundabout. Again, Eunan the bus driver came to the rescue and took
all our photos with at least a dozen different cameras! Fair play to him
for being such a sport! We had one blow-in who joined the photo shoot, a
gent who claimed to be Vincy Murphy, the Mayor of Keady. Quotes Vincy,
"'Ave ye a pound?"

Several songs and a good bit of craic on the bus got us back to the
Belleek Country House in the heart of South Armagh. Entertainment that
night was provided by local winners [2] of the "Bard of Armagh"
(www.bardofarmagh.com) humorous poetry competition that is held every
year in Armagh. Well, the venue was packed with locals as well as us,
and the poets were in fine form. Such fine form in fact, some of them
were a little reluctant to give up the microphone. Twas grand craic,
though, and definitely a challenge for some of us Americans to puzzle
through the local dialect and get the jist of the poems. "...Did she say
Viagra?...." As Martyn says, the bawd was enough to make the ladies of
Amsterdam blush. And the Guinness was in good supply, too.

Making our escape back to the Mourne Country Hotel in Newry, we had
several hours more of visiting, recapping the day, drinking a few pints,
and of course singing a few songs. That evening was particularly
memorable because a song was born that day and shared that evening. Jim
Gillespie, a Festival participant from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, wrote the
following lyrics that day, inspired by Tommy Sands and Tommy Makem and
all the unity of the week. All it needs now is a tune. Well done, Jim.
*The Sun on the Strand
*Jim Gillespie, June 8, 2000

When you live on a green island
Bounded by sun and by sand
Your future can be brighter
Than the sun on the strand

chorus:
The sun on the strand
And the songs of the island
Are just the things needed
To unite our great bands

If Christians are willing to live as they pray
Accepting each others differing way
When "Where do you come from" means nothing more
Then our future is moving to a bright new shore

Once peace and justice are the rule of the land
Then each will be free in the sun on the strand
Free to find their unity in the new land
Ah... but won't it be grand!

Kate Akers
Kate Akers, kakers@chivalry.com
Chivalry Music & Internet Publishing
All photos on these pages were
taken by Kate Akers and Jim Gillespie, ©2000.
Reprinting or republication without permission is prohibited.

1: http://www.armagh-visit.com/navan_fort.htm
2: http://www.bardofarmagh.com/