Rose Of Tralee, The (St. Patrick's Day)
19th century sheet music reads "Words by F. Mordaunt Spencer, Music by Charles W. Glover" (1806-1863). Legend has it written by one William Mulchinock, in forbidden love with his wealthy clan's housemaid, Mary O'Connor. Emigrating to America in hopes of creating a life for the two of them, he returns to find that Mary has succumbed to TB. The inspiration for an ongoing, hugely popular International Rose Of Tralee Festival. Whatever its true origi...
Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral (St. Patrick's Day)
Classic Irish lullaby, written in 1914 by James Royce Shannon, popularized by Bing Crosby in "Going My Way," 1944.
Wearing Of The Green, The (St. Patrick's Day)
Irish lament originally inspired by an uprising against the British in 1798, fervently sung in the many similar altercations since. This 1864 version is by the celebrated (melo)dramatist and theatre luminary Dion Boucicault(1822-1890).
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (St. Patrick's Day)
The other great Irish-American standard (alongside "My Wild Irish Rose") also created by the classic stage Irishman Chauncey Olcott(1858-1932), here collaborating with composer Ernest Ball and introducing the number in the play "The Isle o' Dreams," 1912. This pair also collaborated with lyricist Rida Johnson Young on "Mother Machree."
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