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The Ballad of Mikey Wilcher
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The story of one Irishman who fought in St. Patrick's Batallion on the Mexican side. historical, social commentary
acoustic folk social commentary political satire western massachusetts oil coal climate change fracking incineration music for social change nuclear energy
Artist picture
Folk singer, social commentary, satire, people's stories, children's music
Hi Folks, The Bard Insurgent here. My comrade D.O. (the Poet Roofer) and I got that handle (The Bard Insurgents) from traveling town to town performing songs and poetry about people's lives. I've been performing since I was 3 years old, cutting my vocal chords on liturgical and classical music. I was a concert soloist as a child, when I wasn't herding cows, throwing hay and shoveling manure. During the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam war, I began writing songs about social change. I left the country in 1970 and my dozen years in other countries, mostly in Africa & South America, have provided a global perspective to my music. My travels helped me realize that people all around the world are essentially the same in their basic life needs and their desires to live peacefully in their communities. These experiences have informed my commitment to working for international understanding as I organize at home. A powerful way to educate and inspire is with music. I tell people's stories, do social commentary with a touch of satire that I hope you enjoy and share with your friends, as well as sing together in the streets and in your living rooms. I also have children's music written for the children in my life with Jacob and Kayla as primary muses. Looking forward to seeing you on the road, Tom
Song Info
Charts
Peak #85
Peak in subgenre #12
Author
Tom Neilson
Rights
2006
Uploaded
November 20, 2007
Track Files
MP3
MP3 5.3 MB 128 kbps 5:44
Story behind the song
This is the story of Mikey Wilcher, my great grandfather's uncle, who left Ireland in the 1840's, pursued by the British army for murder. He joined the US army, was sent to fight in the Mexican war, but recognizing injustice, he joined the St. Patrick's Batallion and fought on the Mexican side. Mikey's departure separated him from his beloved, Molly Jeanne O'Brien. The plan was for Molly to meet him in the US, but the war complicated this reunion. All of Mikey's story comes from letters he wrote to Molly, the last letter coming from Mexico circa 1849-50. They never saw each other again.
Lyrics
T’was a wee hour in the morning, soldiers comin to my door Looking for me sayin that I was wanted for A killin in the city, a constable went down That I would be hangin for a crime against the crown. I wouldn’t pay their taxes to occupy my land My home they were a takin, and I a wanted man Smuggled on a merchant sailin to the west Tradin in my spade & h*** for a sailor’s rig & nest. As I go on my journey, away across the sea Living among strangers, wantin to be free Now they call me an outlaw cause I fight for liberty And die in a foreign country far away from Molly Jea. There in Boston Harbor – No Irish need Apply. I’d fought so long for freedom, and here freedom still denied. I joined up in the army, off to war in Mexico Then left the ranks with Irishmen for another land to hoe We saw the Texas Rangers shootin farmers in the back We saw the US soldiers takin sisters in their shacks. I saw me Irish homeland through campesino eyes So myself and other Irishmen fought on the other side. Oh Molly, my sweet Molly, will I e’er see you again? 1 by 1 I watch em die all my countrymen. For one more night within your arms, I’d chance my liberty. It’s death before I die with you so far away from me.
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