Paper short abstract:

This paper will explore how children's traditional songs in Ireland are an eternal backdrop to a changing world, sustained by a force that is stronger than science, progress, or time itself. It will investigate how children can interpret, create and shape their worlds through traditional songs.

Paper long abstract:

It must be acknowledged that the songs we learn in childhood nestle deep in the subconscious and often catch us unawares later in life. Children's songs and singing are genres of Irish oral tradition that have been studied to some extent (Mac an Iomaire, 2007, Ó Laoire, 2002, Ní Uallacháin, 2005, Uí Ógáin, 1988, Brady, 1975), but investigative studies which focus on children's perceptions of traditional songs and singing are rare.

Using ethnographic fieldwork, I will investigate Irish children's songs - playground songs ("Fair Rosa"), Irish language songs ("An Gréasaí Bróg"), macaronic songs ("One Day For Recreation"), love songs ("My True Love He Dwells on the Mountain", "An Goirtín Eorna"), humorous songs ("An Poc ar Buile"), tragic songs ("Weelia Weelia Wallia"), nonsense songs ("Fan-a Winnow"), songs connected to places ("The Skibereen") and protest songs ("Henry Joy") - and examine how connections and interactions with indigenous songs can help children understand, interpret, create and shape the world in which they live. Finally, I will examine the extent to which children identify with many of the sentiments expressed in these songs and evaluate their understanding of performing the song.