New album of all original material from singer/songwriter Gerry Madigan in the folks/roots/country genre. This is a beautiful four panel CD including a 16-page booklet with lyrics and information on the artist.
Includes unlimited streaming of Wild Bird, Fly Free
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
ships out within 2 days
Purchasable with gift card
$20CADor more
about
Tells the story about the hardship of emigrating from Ireland to the USA via Ellis Island.
lyrics
It’s hard to smile, on Ellis Island. One short step to liberty
So near, so far away. What will the lady’s answer be
Chorus: Fare thee well, Ellis Island, and you know it is your shame
For to come into your country, you made me change my name
The ship sailed in the harbour after forty days and nights, of sailing on the dark and stormy sea
We were sick and tired and hungry, but our hopes were raised by the lady Liberty
And now it’s time to stand in line and answer all the questions, that didn’t seem to matter anyway
But the questions must be answered if in the land of Liberty you wish to stay.
Chorus: Fare thee well, Ellis Island, and you know it is your shame
For to come into your country, you made me change my name
We were standing in our glad rags, identified by name tags,
With a number and the place from whence we came
They didn’t speak our language, and they couldn’t understand our foreign names
For some of us the light was green, but some were kept in quarantine
And some were put on board the ship again
With shattered dreams and dignity they sailed back to their homeland once again
Chorus: Fare thee well, Ellis Island, and you know it is your shame
For to come into your country, you made me change my name
It’s hard to smile, on Ellis Island. One short step to Liberty
So near, so far away. What will the Lady’s answer be?
credits
from Wild Bird, Fly Free,
track released February 14, 2017
Gerry Madigan: Lead/Harmony vocals, 5-string banjo, acoustic guitars; Amy Fernandez: Harmony vocals
Greg Hooper: Concertina; Charlie Arkins: Fiddle; Jerry Proppe: Piano/Bass/Brass Section;
Gavin Sorochan: Drums; Aidan Cunningham: Dobro guitar; Thomas Cummins-Russell: Mandolin
Dublin born singer/songwriter now living in Calgary Alberta Canada - a strong musical pedigree spanning 15 years on the road with The Cotton Mill Boys in Ireland.
This album speaks to the continuum of African diasporic culture that is central to the vibrant canon of Americana folk music. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 29, 2020