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 Dé Go Raibh A Anam
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