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Return to Old Ireland
Program Notes
by Mary McAuliffe, composer

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Return to Old Ireland began its life when I discovered the great Walt Whitman poem Old Ireland, first published in 1865. Being commissioned to write for The Michael O'Neal Singers, I felt that a very special idea was called for - one that would prove meaningful both to singers and audience, and have relevance to an Irish celebration, but one that would also acknowledge the strong links between our two lands.  As I searched for an idea that could form a basis for this composition, I realized that this text was a perfect beginning - the imagery of the dying Ireland during the time of the Great Famine (1845-1850), one of the greatest human disasters in the last century, and its subsequent rebirth in the New World. Michael agreed that this majestic poem was a perfect starting point, and so our composition was born!

The composition is a journey in time and place, and so it is appropriate to begin with the text of one of America's finest poets and base the final movement on a line of Nobel Laureate, W. B. Yeats, Ireland's best loved poet.

Scored for SATB Chorus, 2  Flutes, Oboe, Cor Anglais, String  Quartet,  Piano, Organ, Bodhrán and Timpani, the work is a  composite of four distinct sections, with a short introduction which later repeats as a link.

Movement I: The powerful text of Old Ireland by Walt Whitman is proclaimed by the men of the chorus, joined by the ladies as it progresses. It is a message of hope for the weeping Ireland, devastated during the Great Famine by the loss of her children - a message that those who were forced to emigrate are not dead, but "move  today in  a new  country". This message of hope and resurrection gains strength and power as the movement progresses, and reference is made to the risen Christ,  "He  is not  dead, He is Risen"! The movement and Walt Whitman's text end in triumph.

Movement II: We hear the voice of the immigrant who is moved by visions of his homeland - sounds and images so strong they remind him of his deep love for his Ireland, though so far away. "Oh, my Ireland, I love you still".

Movement III: A pulsing beat is heard. The immigrant hears the beat; it is a calling home. The call is all-pervasive, as it gathers the immigrant and enfolds him. A dialogue ensues. Ireland addresses the immigrant and begs him to return, to stay. The call is strong; it is impossible to resist. The return of the haunting oboe melody signals an abrupt change of mood, a pause for reflection. The immigrant vows to be faithful.

Movement IV: The Dance. Suddenly the rhythm begins, and the pace quickens. The final movement in the form of an Irish jig is also written to the composer's own text - an invitation to the dance, to the magic and the rhythm, the sweet sounds, the tapping of the feet, the great delight of the dance. The refrain line "Come dance with me in Ireland" is taken from the Yeats poem I am of Ireland. Yes, He is indeed risen. We have come full circle.

This composition brings us from the deepest sadness to the heights of great joy. It imbues in us one of the strongest draws of the human condition - the need to belong. We invite you to be part of this Irish/American celebration and to share our feelings. Wherever your roots, we hope you will experience with us these common bonds.

Mary McAuliffe
Greystones, County Wicklow
Ireland

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