MUNM 3113
February 17th, 2009
Thousands Are Sailing
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses” decreed Lady Liberty to the millions upon millions of immigrants in search of a new life in the Land of the Free. The largest influx of refugees from afar emanated from Ireland during the 19th century. Harsh times in the Emerald Isle were further exacerbated when disease created a potato famine, the likes of which claimed over a million lives and devastated the entire country. The immense impact upon Ireland created strong sentiments that were often reflected in song. In “Thousands Are Sailing,” Phil Chevron, of the Pogues, captured those emotions, both disheartened and joyous. “The island it is silent now / But the ghost still haunt the waves / And the torch lights up a famished man / Who fortune could not save.” The first verse of the song sheds light on the dire situation which Irish emigrants faced. In a matter of a couple years, the famine had killed over a million and caused millions more to flee their homeland, leaving only silence and those that could not afford the journey behind. The deceased had to be piled onto beaches or set to sea because there were too many to be buried properly1. The lights of the vessels coming ashore to pick up the emigrants would illuminate those departed.
Those fortunate enough to make it to America immediately searched for jobs. Only occupational opportunities that were either dangerous or unskilled awaited them. “Did you work upon the railroad / Did you rid the streets of crime / Were your dollars from the white house / Were they from the five and dime.” Often times immigrants took up constructing the ever expanding railroad system, because they were willing to work harder and longer hours. Some would work their way up to becoming a part of the police force, which eventually became largely Irish. The reference to dollars coming from the white house or five and dime speaks of the socioeconomic divisions that existed. Five and dimes were inexpensive markets especially for the impoverished immigrants2.
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The uprooted Irish were still connected to the Emerald Isle in heart and mind, some more than others. The next verse describes the mixed emotions felt by those who made the voyage. “Did the old songs taunt or cheer you / And did they still make you cry / Did you count the months and years / Or did your teardrops quickly dry.” Although the situation in America was vastly improved in comparison to their famishing homeland, it was not an easy journey to make. “Ah, no, says he, ‘twas not to be / On a coffin ship I came here / And I never even got so far / That they could change my name.” A famished man tells of how his journey ended before the shores. The vessels that were used to by immigrants to traverse the ocean became known as coffin ships, due to the high death rates aboard3. The conditions were immensely vile and dangerous, but immigrants had no other options. The man never experienced Ellis Island, where names were commonly altered in an attempt to conceal their Irish origin. When the next verse begins, the vocals take on a plurality, as if the masses arose and sang together: “Thousands are sailing / Across the western ocean / To a land of opportunity / That some of them will never see / Fortune prevailing / Across the western ocean / Their bellies full / Their spirits free / They’ll break the chains of poverty / And they’ll dance.” The perspective alters from verse to verse, as if to share the experiences from every point of view, whether it be those making the voyage or those left behind. Although the majority of the population set sail for America, countless died on the voyage, often of disease or starvation. Those lucky enough to complete the journey alive would eat and dance in jubilation.
The Essay on Discrimination Against German And Irish Immigrants
The Declaration of Independence states, All men are created equal,, but, taking a look at our nations history, we can clearly see that this statement is not valid. This was not accepted by the thousands of slave owners based in the South and the people who enforced oppression upon womens rights as equals. The nation's relatively newly-established independence, escalating prejudices against blacks, ...
Upon successfully arriving on the shores of America, the refugees would survey their newfound home. “In Manhattan’s desert twilight / In the death of afternoon / We stepped hand in hand on Broadway / Like the first man on the moon.” Their first encounters would be in Manhattan, where they would reunite and explore the foreign land. Just as Neil Armstrong took those first steps that renewed hope in the future to Americans, those first immigrants walking in New York City gave hope of opportunities to all following generations. “And “The Blackbird” broke the silence / As you whistled it so sweet / And in Brendan Behan’s footsteps / I danced up and down the street.” The Blackbird can allude to many things pertaining Ireland’s history. Songs of the Blackbird commonly fill the air in their homeland, and a ballad bearing its name is a nationally known part of Irish musical culture. The reference could also be the Beatles’ song “Blackbird,” which speaks of a sudden eyed bird yearning for freedom. The allusion makes sense, considering those famished might have had saddened and ill set glares from the callous conditions facing them while they longed for better days4. Brendan Behan was a famous writer renowned in Irish culture. His life was one of unyielding nationalism, which landed him in jail a few times and cemented his part in the Irish Republican Army. He became an internally known playwright when one of his pieces, “The Auld Triangle,” ended up on Broadway, where the immigrants danced together5.
“Then we said goodnight to Broadway / Giving it our best regards / Tipped our hats to Mister Cohen / Dear old Times Square’s favorite bard.” Their first night in America ended with a gesture of respect to a statue of George M. Cohan, an iconic Irish American playwright known as “the man who owned Broadway.” Referring to him as a bard further instills their respect for him as a cornerstone of written artistry. He was one of many Irish Americans that made a lasting impact on America6. The immigrants also paid homage to one of their most famous countrymen. “Then we raised a glass to JFK / And a dozen more besides / When I got back to my empty room / I suppose I must have cried.” An enormous source of pride for Irish immigrant families came in John F. Kennedy, whose ancestors had firm roots in Ireland. Kennedy’s rise to President illustrated to immigrants that America truly was the Land of Opportunity and anything was possible for Irish immigrant families, regardless of the hardships faced. The “dozen more beside” all acknowledged the successes found by copious migrant families. However, the entire journey was not joyous, as reflected in the weeping that followed the initial excitement. There may have been millions of Irish walking the streets of New York, but loneliness still settled in once they returned to their likely dismal accommodations without those lost to the reaper.
The Essay on Origins of Jazz Dance
The rhythmic vocal sounds were woven into what we now call jazz dance. During the nineteenth century, American whites decided that they enjoyed the music and dance the slaves had created. In minstrel shows, white entertainers parodied their conception of slave life and popularized the African style of dance and music (Naden 37). With white dancers as the star performers, it was difficult for a ...
As boiling pot of immigrants began to fill, fortune was unable to reach many. “Thousands are sailing / Again across the ocean / Where the hand of opportunity / Draws tickets in a lottery / Postcards we’re mailing / Of sky-blue skies and oceans / From rooms the daylight never sees / Where lights don’t glow on Christmas trees / But we dance to the music / And we dance.” The coffin ships continued to give passage to those seeking new lives, however, times had changed on the American shores. The open door policy was replaced by a quota system utilizing a lottery to choice the fortunate7. Those propitious enough to have their numbers called would often write of their new home to those stranded on the Isle. The issue with having so many arrive in a short period is the shortage of housing. Because of this, Irish immigrants found themselves in abysmal living situations lacking basic desires such electricity or even a window. Refugees found solace in one of the few activities that could not be taken from them for lack of funds, and that was dance. Together they danced and sang together, united in a common heritage and national pride. The song ends with praise of their homeland, regardless of the conditions it fostered. “Thousands are sailing / Across the western ocean / Where the hand of opportunity / Draws tickets in a lottery / Where e’er we go, we celebrate / The land that makes us refugees / From fear of Priests with empty plates /From guilt and weeping effigies / And we dance.” The harsh realities faced included religious persecution, starvation, and death surrounding. Through it all, the Irish remain enamored with their Emerald Isle and continued the tradition of dance that gave them joy and strength through unity with not only one and other, but with their ancestral past.
The Essay on The Lottery 13
The Message Sent in "The Lottery" The shock value of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" is not only widely known, but also widely felt. Her writing style effectively allows the reader to pass a judgment on themselves and the society in which they live. In "The Lottery" Jackson is making a comparison to human nature. It is prominent in all human civilizations to take a chance as a source of ...
Sources Cited
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2 http://www.bartleby.com/61/41/F0154100.html
3 http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/coffin.htm
4 http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/beatles/blackbird_10025909.html
5 http://brendanbehan.info/
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