Thousands Are Sailing

MUNM 3113
February 17th, 2009

Thousands Are Sailing
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses” decreed Lady Liberty to the millions upon millions of immigrants in search of a new life in the Land of the Free.   The largest influx of refugees from afar emanated from Ireland during the 19th century.   Harsh times in the Emerald Isle were further exacerbated when disease created a potato famine, the likes of which claimed over a million lives and devastated the entire country.   The immense impact upon Ireland created strong sentiments that were often reflected in song.   In “Thousands Are Sailing,” Phil Chevron, of the Pogues, captured those emotions, both disheartened and joyous.   “The island it is silent now / But the ghost still haunt the waves / And the torch lights up a famished man / Who fortune could not save.”   The first verse of the song sheds light on the dire situation which Irish emigrants faced.   In a matter of a couple years, the famine had killed over a million and caused millions more to flee their homeland, leaving only silence and those that could not afford the journey behind.   The deceased had to be piled onto beaches or set to sea because there were too many to be buried properly1.   The lights of the vessels coming ashore to pick up the emigrants would illuminate those departed.   Those fortunate enough to make it to America immediately searched for jobs.   Only occupational opportunities that were either dangerous or unskilled awaited them.   “Did you work upon the railroad / Did you rid the streets of crime / Were your dollars from the white house / Were they from the five and dime.”   Often times immigrants took up constructing the ever expanding railroad system, because they were willing to work harder and longer hours.   Some would work their way up to becoming a part of the police force, which eventually became largely Irish.   The reference to dollars coming from the white house or five and dime speaks of the socioeconomic divisions...