Dean Martin & Bing Crosby

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The recordings of songs by Italian and Irish Americans in the Library of Congress’ collection include popular songs, regional folk songs and hybrid Italian and Irish American fare.

Italians who came to the United States during or shortly after the first World War I, brought with them songs related to that conflict, such as “Addio, Mama,” sung by Louis Brangone, which is the song of a soldier saying farewell to his family as he departs for the front in 1914 and “La Piave,” a song performed by Mario Olmeda about the Battle of the Piave River that took place on June 15—23, 1918, a turning point in the war.

Italian Americans also enjoyed singing socially, during festivals, in cafes and restaurants and in their homes. The Library of Congress possesses field recordings captured by the folk music collector Sidney Robertson Cowell in Concord, Martinez, Pittsburg, and Woodside, CA in the 1930s of emigrants singing unaccompanied songs in Italian and Sicilian dialects as well as photographs and commentaries.

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When the Irish stepped off ships by the tens of thousands during the great waves of Irish immigration to America, they brought with them little more than the clothes on their backs, empty stomachs, and a special gift for song.  In fact, the Irish are known for their inspiring music perhaps as much as anything else.

For centuries, Irish songs have been the centerpiece of the traditional Gaelic social gathering, known as the ceili, where families entertain each other by playing Gaelic folk music and dancing.  As the Irish in America maintained these Irish musical traditions over the last couple of centuries, their great Irish music gradually trickled out of the Irish pubs and Irish dance halls to take hold in American popular culture.

Many Irish American songs were among the most popular of their day, and some are still sung today on St. Patrick’s Day or during Irish gatherings.  The following is a list of famous Irish American songs from the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.  You can click on each to listen.

Italian and Irish Medley

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Irish Proverb: –  “It is often that a person’s mouth broke his nose.”

Italian Proverb – “Beware of  One that has Nothing to Lose.”

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