Irish Emigration & the Loneliness of An Unmarried Pregnant Irish Girl

The Girls They Left Behind

This little known song from Irish playwright John B. Keane is one of the best Irish ballads ever written about Irish emigration. For it mentions a subject that was taboo and ignored during pre-1970s Ireland, namely the loneliness and ostracising of an unmarried Irish woman made pregnant by a departing male emigrant. 

It is ironic that I have now posted this song. For I have just heard of the death of the singer of this version- the great Ronnie Drew.  

We will miss you so much Ronnie. You have brought us so many tears of joy & of sadness over the years. Ar Dheis Go Raibh A Anam

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