Across the Western Ocean

Song lyrics and download available here: http://www.balladofamerica.com/music/indexes/songs/acrossthewesternocean

Artist: Matthew Sabatella & the Rambling String Band

Description: Penniless in the wake of a potato famine in their homeland, one and a half million Irish people immigrated to the United States between 1846 and 1850. Their passages were frequently paid by relatives who had already settled in America. Crossing the Atlantic by packet ship was inexpensive, especially for those who traveled from English ports, due to trade competition between America and Britain. The journey took at least six weeks on the overcrowded vessels. Famine, disease, and shipwreck caused an estimated one of every five immigrants to die at sea.

Across the Western Ocean expresses the concerns of the people making the transatlantic journey and their loved ones. It shares the same melody as the sea shanty Leave Her, Johnny, Leave Her. Which song begot the other is not definitively known.

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• sabatella
• traditional
• american
• folk
• sailor
• sea
• chantey
• shantey
• irish
• ship
• fiddle

[justinchomel]

Outstanding!

[8u993]

beautiful tune...well done indeed!

[bkerbis]

Reminds me of my Music History Class!

[Ancupola]

I like your video. Well done indeed.