Customer Reviews

Blood on the Harp: Irish Rebel History in Ballad

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I am of non-Irish heritage, but have become caught up in the enticing web of Irish traditional music. This book is a written as a history of Ireland's many uprisings and made so much better by the inclusion of over 100 ballads that came out of various rebellions that have filled Ireland's past.

It is a pity that a music CD is not included so that the reader can feel the anguish that comes through song. My hobby is singing Irish traditional ballads, both rebel songs and others which help to tell the story of Irish history. I have learned of some songs that I thought bore no connection to rebel history, but which, upon reading Faolain's volume, I have had the connections clearly made. And, by the way, one can learn a bit of Gaelic in the reading.

Ireland is one of the only countries that can tell its history in song. Turlough Faolain tells of Ireland from the mists of antiquity to the 1800's.

Only two things could make this better. 1) Updates to the present day and 2) CD's to accompany the book.

This is a great way to learn of Ireland's past. And to learn why she is still in trouble today.