Hundreds of Irish emigrants came to Oregon; Corey Murphy sings their songs
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
The following is a press release.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Corey Murphy will perform songs from Ireland, some of which have not been performed for an audience in over 80 years, at the Klamath Folk Alliance Showcase Series Thursday, March 2 alongside sixth-generation Klamath rancher and musician Dana Wirth.
The concert will take place at Mia & Pia's Pizzeria & Brewhouse, 3545 Summers Lane, Klamath Falls from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
Between 1880 and 1960, hundreds of Irishmen from the Barony of Duhallow in North Cork emigrated to Lake County, Oregon. This area of Ireland is part of the famed Sliabh Luachra, an area well-known for its unique musical traditions. To pass the long and lonely hours watching over the sheep and cows, many of these men played music and wrote poetry. Back home, many of those who stayed did the same, often painting a romantic portrait of life in the West.
Murphy is driven by the desire to preserve the songs he collects and share them with new audiences. "Most of these words have been written down somewhere, so they won't disappear forever- but without performance, it's difficult to keep the full context of the words. They may have been recited, sung, or simply written down and left in a pile of scraps. That the audience shares in hearing the song is as much a part of the tradition as the words or the music."
For some, the songs hold a more personal meaning. "The Oregonion [sic] Dance" was written by Dan Murphy of County Cork, Ireland about a group of emigrants who returned home from Lake County for Christmas. "I had a great conversation with Dan's daughter," said Murphy, "she was very glad to hear her father's words aloud again, and her son is an accomplished musician himself, so it's all a part of keeping the music going."
Other songs, like "The Ballad of Mick Lucey" lament the cold weather, lonely isolation, and harsh conditions in which many of the emigrants, often young men far away from home for the first time, worked:
when I got in to Klamath Falls, the ground was white with snow/
and to my sad misfortune it was 24 below.
Each of the songs has a special connection between Ireland and Oregon, and audiences are invited to listen and enjoy the night. Admission is free and families are welcome.
Corey Murphy sings songs from his father's birthplace of Newmarket, County Cork. He collects and performs music of and for the Irish diaspora, with a special focus on Lake County, Oregon.
