(edited by Mat Callahan with introductions by Theo Dorgan and James
Connolly Heron)
Songs of Freedom is a celebration of the life and work of James Connolly,
the Irish revolutionary socialist martyred by the British government for his role
in the Easter Rising of 1916. It is at once a collection of stirring revolutionary
songs and a vital historical document. For the first time in a hundred years,
readers will find the original Songs of Freedom, edited by James Connolly and
published in New York in 1907, as well as the 1919 Connolly Souvenir program
published in Dublin for a concert commemorating Connolly’s birth. Both are
reproduced exactly as they originally appeared providing a fascinating glimpse
of the workers’ struggle at the beginning of the last century. To complete the
picture is included the James Connolly Songbook of 1972, which contains not
only the most complete selection of Connolly’s lyrics, but historical background
essential to understanding the context in which the songs were written and
performed. The original Songs of Freedom contains 18 songs, nine of which are
by Connolly, while the James Connolly Songbook contains 23 songs and poems,
19 of which are by Connolly. Furthermore, the introduction to the latter book
gives an excellent account of the heroic battle surrounding the Dublin concert in
1919 as well as important insights into Connolly’s purpose and methods in
composing his lyrics. This new version of Songs of Freedom should prove
invaluable to all those interested in Irish, labor and revolutionary history. It
provides an opportunity to feel the spirit of Connolly’s lyrics and to gain
perspective on what makes them so relevant today.
Also included are introductory remarks by Connolly’s great-grandson,
James Connolly Heron, a biographical sketch by Theo Dorgan and a note about
the making of the current book by Mat Callahan.
The book is 100pp. including 8 b+w photos
Songs of Freedom (CD)
(The James Connolly Songs of Freedom Band)
From the rollicking welcome of “A Festive Song” to the defiant battle cry
of “Watchword of Labor”, Songs of Freedom accomplishes the difficult task of
making contemporary music out of old revolutionary songs. Far from the
archival preservation of embalmed corpses, the inspired performance of a
rocking band turns the timeless lyrics of James Connolly into timely manifestos
for today’s young rebels. While the song book accompanying this recording
provides indispensable evidence of Connolly’s decisive role in Irish, labor and
revolutionary history, no tribute to his life and work would be complete without
the singing of songs. As Connolly himself repeatedly urged, nothing can replace
the power of music to raise the fighting spirit of the oppressed.
To achieve this purpose Irish, American and Swiss musicians joined
together, under the direction of Mat Callahan, to revitalize well-known tunes
and arrange new music composed by Callahan for this recording. Giving
expression to Connolly’s internationalism and the backgrounds of the musicians
themselves, diverse influences, from traditional Irish airs to American rhythm
and blues, were combined in refreshing creativity. As for the songs themselves,
nine have lyrics by Connolly, three were written about Connolly and one, the
Red Flag, was chosen by Connolly to be in the original Songs of Freedom
songbook of 1907, subsequently becoming a classic song of Labor. The
instrumentation is acoustic: guitars, uillean pipes, whistles, fiddle, accordion and
Irish harp, as well as drums and bass. There are five lead vocalists, singing
separately and together: Alan Burke, Mat and Shannon Callahan, Shirley Grimes
and Yvonne Moore. Inspired by Connolly, this stellar cast deliver a stirring
tribute to the ideals for which he fought and died.
CD includes 16pp booklet with introduction by James Connolly Heron, lyrics to
the songs, production credits and notes about how the recordings were made.
To listen to the CD please visit:
Scroll down to hear Songs of Freedom.
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