Wars of America, The

DESCRIPTION: "I have two sons and a son-in-law, Fightin' in the wars of America. But I don't know if I'll see them more Or whether they'll visit old Ireland's shore." The singer seeks the boys; at last one comes home -- but crippled from the wars
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1939 (A Garland of Green Mountain Song, according to Lomax/Lomax-OurSingingCountry)
KEYWORDS: mother children separation war soldier injury disability
FOUND IN: US(NE) Canada(Mar)
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Lomax/Lomax-OurSingingCountry, pp. 198-199, "The Frenchman's Ball" (1 text, 1 tune)
Lomax-FolkSongsOfNorthAmerica 17, "The Wars of America" (1 text, 1 tune)
Creighton-FolksongsFromSouthernNewBrunswick 75, "My Son Ted" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #678
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye" (plot)
cf. "By the Hush" (plot)
cf. "Mrs. McGrath" (plot)
NOTES [52 words]: Roud links this to "Mrs. McGrath." The plot similarity is obvious, but the songs themselves appear distinct to me. In Lomax's version, the conflict appears to have been the French and Indian Wars, and the soldier is named Terry. Perhaps the name "Ted" in Creighton's version was influenced by "Mrs. McGrath?" - RBW
Last updated in version 3.2
File: LoF017

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