A fine thoughtful song. Robbie, do you find those attitudes still hold true, now that America is no longer the land of milk and honey, but rather the land of bilk and money? Are we still welcome in Ireland?
No. Things have changed a lot since the 1960s. Ireland has progressed so much since then. Many young Irish have spent time in America, as well as Europe. They are very cosmopolitan in their outlook. They are avid consumers of American pop culture and want to visit the States. They don’t like US foreign policy or fully understand its domestic politics but they are fascinated, none the less.
Americans are very welcome in Ireland as long but Trump supporters will encounter pushback. The vast majority of Irish people consider Trump an abomination but realize that not everyone voted for him. Republican presidents have never been popular here but they adored Kennedy, Clinton and Obama. If you are visiting from the USA, everyone you meet will have questions about Trump. They just don’t get why he was elected and cannot fathom why so many continue to support him.
The story behind this song is so interesting! I am not quite half Irish and never saw Ireland until I was 21. There is such a strong pull to identify with my Irish ancestors and once I visited Ireland I felt it was my "spiritual home". During my adult life ( I am now 87 and too old to travel) I went back many times. I feel no identity with my English ancestors and , at this moment, not much allegiance with the USA and also feel that the St Paddy's stuff is pretty hokey.
A fine thoughtful song. Robbie, do you find those attitudes still hold true, now that America is no longer the land of milk and honey, but rather the land of bilk and money? Are we still welcome in Ireland?
No. Things have changed a lot since the 1960s. Ireland has progressed so much since then. Many young Irish have spent time in America, as well as Europe. They are very cosmopolitan in their outlook. They are avid consumers of American pop culture and want to visit the States. They don’t like US foreign policy or fully understand its domestic politics but they are fascinated, none the less.
Americans are very welcome in Ireland as long but Trump supporters will encounter pushback. The vast majority of Irish people consider Trump an abomination but realize that not everyone voted for him. Republican presidents have never been popular here but they adored Kennedy, Clinton and Obama. If you are visiting from the USA, everyone you meet will have questions about Trump. They just don’t get why he was elected and cannot fathom why so many continue to support him.
The story behind this song is so interesting! I am not quite half Irish and never saw Ireland until I was 21. There is such a strong pull to identify with my Irish ancestors and once I visited Ireland I felt it was my "spiritual home". During my adult life ( I am now 87 and too old to travel) I went back many times. I feel no identity with my English ancestors and , at this moment, not much allegiance with the USA and also feel that the St Paddy's stuff is pretty hokey.
Will enjoy your songbook all day today!