An important figure on the Dublin folk-song revival in the 1960s, Moloney moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1973. He gained early fame as a member of Irish group The Johnstons and The Emmet Spiceland but has since performed and recorded with a variety of groups and individuals, including Eugene O'Donnell and Séamus Egan; he also worked closely with The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem. In all, he produced and performed on over forty albums. He also founded The Green Fields of America, an organization that promotes traditional Irish-American music.
In 1992, Moloney received a Ph.D. in Folklore and Folklife from the University of Pennsylvania. For his work in public folklore, he received a National Heritage Fellowship from the NEA, the highest honor a traditional artist can receive from the United States. In 1999, he was named "best tenor-banjo player" by Frets magazine. He has taught at several institutions in the United States and is currently a Global Distinguished Professor of Music and the Irish Studies at New York University, where his field of expertise was Celtic music in the United States.
My Uncle Dan McCann
Mick Moloney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He left the town of Galway in the year of '51,
Where he got to I don't know
I've searched this country high and low,
But back to Galway I can't go,
Without my Uncle Dan.
So have you seen my Uncle Dan?
Came out to the USA in the year of '51.
If any of you neighbours living here
Have seen or heard of him anywhere,
You'd oblige me if you'd help me find
My Uncle Dan McCann.
Well let me tell you about my Uncle Dan
He thought he was a mighty man,
Swam the River Liffey twice a day
He could run three laps of Phoenix Park,
And dance and sing just like a lark,
And he wasn't afraid to go home in the dark,
My Uncle Dan McCann.
So have you seen my Uncle Dan McCann?
Typical bit of a Galwayman,
Fought throughout the Civil War in the year of '61.
He was supple and nimble in every joint,
He wasn't afraid of the bayonet point,
He belonged to the right in '69,
My Uncle Dan McCann. Well I found my Uncle Dan McCann,
Very good for a shantyman,
He has a seat in Congress, and the saviour of his clan.
He helps to write America's laws,
But his heart and soul is in Ireland's cause,
God help the man who opens his jaws
To my Uncle Dan McCann.
End
Mick Moloney's song, My Uncle Dan McCann, is a nostalgic search for an exuberant Irish uncle who left Galway for America in 1851. The singer is searching for Uncle Dan to experience a piece of Galway and Ireland in America. He has searched high and low for his uncle, but to no avail. Uncle Dan is considered a typical Galwayman, boasting about his feats of strength and bravery, swimming the River Liffey twice a day, running three laps of Phoenix Park, and fighting in the Civil War in 1861. Uncle Dan is described as a strong-willed man who helps to write America's laws, but his heart and soul are in Ireland's cause.
The song's wistfulness reflects the nostalgia for a homeland that permeates many Irish-American songs of the time. The song also highlights the notion that despite being in America, the Irish community strived to preserve their Irish identity and culture. Uncle Dan symbolizes the Irish-American community and their challenges, hopes, and aspirations. The song provides a glimpse of the immigrant experience, their struggles, and their tenacity to hold onto their heritage and their identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I lately wandered over here to look for my Uncle Dan,
I came here searching for my Uncle Dan, who left Galway in 1851 and I cannot return without him.
Where he got to I don't know
I am uncertain of my Uncle Dan's whereabouts.
I've searched this country high and low,
I've looked everywhere for my Uncle Dan here in the USA.
So have you seen my Uncle Dan?
Can anyone help me locate my Uncle Dan?
Typical bit of a Galwayman,
He's a typical man from Galway.
Came out to the USA in the year of '51.
My Uncle Dan came to the USA in 1851.
If any of you neighbours living here
If any of you residents have information.
Have seen or heard of him anywhere,
If you have any knowledge of his location or status.
You'd oblige me if you'd help me find
I would greatly appreciate any assistance in finding him.
He thought he was a mighty man,
My Uncle Dan had a high opinion of himself.
Swam the River Liffey twice a day
My Uncle Dan claimed to have swum the River Liffey twice daily.
He could run three laps of Phoenix Park,
My Uncle Dan boasted that he could run three laps of Phoenix Park.
And dance and sing just like a lark,
He was a talented dancer and singer.
And he wasn't afraid to go home in the dark,
My Uncle Dan was fearless at night.
Fought throughout the Civil War in the year of '61.
He served in the Civil War in 1861.
He was supple and nimble in every joint,
My Uncle Dan was agile and flexible.
He wasn't afraid of the bayonet point,
He was brave in the face of danger.
He belonged to the right in '69,
He was affiliated with the political right in 1869.
Well I found my Uncle Dan McCann,
I finally found my Uncle Dan.
Very good for a shantyman,
He was a skilled laborer.
He has a seat in Congress, and the saviour of his clan.
My Uncle Dan has a position in Congress and is a hero to his community.
He helps to write America's laws,
He contributes to the creation of American legislation.
But his heart and soul is in Ireland's cause,
Despite his work in America, he remains devoted to Ireland's interests.
God help the man who opens his jaws
Those who criticize my Uncle Dan will face his wrath.
Writer(s): MICK MOLONEY
Contributed by Hudson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.