I am a lifelong lover of music, and grew up surrounded by a large Irish family, immersed in Irish culture. So, in 2022, I decided to combine my love of music with my passion for my heritage, in order to learn more about both.
I started a mentorship under Professor Sheila Falls, a member of the music faculty at Boston College and Director of the Gaelic Roots, Music, Song, Dance, Workshop and Lecture Series. Professor Falls is also a three-time North American Irish Fiddle Champion and won the All-Ireland Fiddle Championship at the age of 15.
Under the guidance of Professor Falls, I learned, studied and recorded the five traditional Irish songs which comprise this project. Learning this music endowed me with a new perspective on the spirit of rebellion, independence and freedom in Ireland. I realized how the melancholy themes of the poetry and lyrics, often set to heartfelt–but not depressing–music, serves almost as a celebration of the tragedies of the past, embracing them as heroes’ journeys.
Working on this project allowed me to feel more connected to my heritage and more aware of the many things I have to be grateful for because of it. I’m proud to share these songs here. To learn more about each one, follow the links.
About the Project
“Molly Malone” was written in 1884 by James Yorkston and arranged by Edmond Foreman. The song tells a story of a young girl named Molly Malone, a Fishmonger who sold cockles and mussels to the people of Ireland. However, with many outbreaks of Cholera in Dublin, she got very sick and eventually died.
“Kelly The Boy From Killane” was written in 1911 by PJ McCall. This song tells the story of a soldier named John Kelly, who fought in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The Irish were at a severe disadvantage against the British as they had long barreled guns, while the British had much more advanced weaponry. Kelly was able to hold the British off but was injured in the process, turned in and hanged in 1798.
“On Raglan Road” was originally a poem written by Patrick Kavanagh in 1946. In 1978, Luke Kelly, founding member of The Dubliners, was the first to set it to music, using the melody of Edward Walsh 1847 song “The Dawning of the Day.” The song describes a tragic romance between a man and a younger woman which was short lived due to the large age gap.
“Roddy McCorley'' was written by Anna Johnson during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The song tells the story of a man named Roddy whose father was hanged during the unsuccessful uprising. After this event, Roddy became an extreme Nationalist and put together a gang called the Archer Gang. The British did not tolerate this, and Roddy was eventually hanged too. The rest of his family was later evicted from their farm.
“The Foggy Dew” was written by Charles O’Neil in 1916. This song tells the story of the rebellion in 1916, when Irish Nationalists seized buildings in Dublin. The Nationalists were outnumbered by British troops but they held their ground for six days. This rebellion was known as “Easter Rising” and 20,000 people died. The song talks about those soldiers that died in the Easter Rising, which eventually led to the signing of the Anglo-Irish treaty in 1922, which freed Ireland from British rule.
My name is Jack Bellucci and I am a high school junior from Long Island with dual Irish and Italian ancestry. I am an experienced guitarist and singer and have always had a passion for music. I am a part of three different choirs at my school and I have also performed at the eastern and national level in Boston and Cincinnati. I enjoy singing in different languages, and have sung in Latin, Italian, German and more.