Another letter for Tommy

Thanks for article on Tommy Makem

August 17, 2007

I'm writing to comment on the Aug. 10 story about Tommy Makem's funeral. Thank you for running it!

My ancestors hail from County Clare and while I have other ancestors in my background, the heritage I know best is Irish. So Tommy Makem and his music were very familiar to me growing up, and I spent many happy hours singing traditional songs with my relatives and friends at the New Haven Gaelic Football Club (or the Irish Club, as we called it).

The song referenced in the article, "Four Green Fields," is not, as stated in the article, about an old woman who loses her sons, and her fields, to strangers. That is what the words say, but those of us who know the song know it is a political anthem. The four green fields are the four provinces of Ireland and the strangers are the English.

While I realize this came from the AP "wire" and was not written by The Times Argus staff, I thought fellow Vermonters would appreciate a little more info about Tommy's most famous song — and why he wrote it. So often popular folk songs are more than just popular — they have a message and a meaning that is not clear unless you dig a little. Of course, ask any of us who cherish our Irish heritage and we can tell you all about it!

And here's to Tommy Makem: Slainte!

Liz Schlegel

Waterbury