Makem was born and raised in Keady, County Armagh (the "Hub of the Universe" as Makem always said), in Northern Ireland. His mother, Sarah Makem, was an important source of traditional Irish music, who was visited and recorded by, among others, Diane Guggenheim Hamilton, Jean Ritchie, Peter Kennedy and Sean O'Boyle. His father, Peter Makem, was a fiddler who also played the bass drum in a local pipe band named "Oliver Plunkett", after a martyr of the Cromwell age. His brother and sister were folk musicians also. Young Tommy Makem, from the age of 8, was member of the St. Patrick's church choir for 15 years where he sang Gregorian chant and motets. He didn't learn to read music but he made it in his "own way".
He started to work at 14 as a clerk in a garage and later he worked for a while as a barman at Mone's Bar, a local pub and as a local correspondent for The Armagh Observer.
He emigrated to the United States in 1955, carrying his few possessions and a set of bagpipes (from his time in a pipe band). Arriving in Dover, New Hampshire, he worked at Kidder Press, where in 1956 his hand was accidentally crushed by a press.[4] With his arm in a sling, he left Dover for New York to pursue an acting career.
The Clancys and Makem were signed to Columbia Records in 1961. The same year, at the Newport Folk Festival, Makem and Joan Baez were named the most promising newcomers on the American folk scene. During the 1960s, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem performed sellout concerts at such venues as Carnegie Hall, and made television appearances on shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show. The group performed for President Kennedy. They also played in smaller venues such as the Gate of Horn in Chicago. They appeared jointly in the UK Albums Chart in April 1966, when Isn't It Grand Boys reached number 22.
Makem left the group in 1969 to pursue a solo career. In 1975, he and Liam Clancy were both booked to play a folk festival in Cleveland, Ohio, and were persuaded to do a set together. Thereafter they often performed as Makem and Clancy, recording several albums together. At a concert in 1977, Tommy noticed an audience member having a good time and exclaimed, "What have you been smoking? Good whatever you have, pass it around to the rest of them we'll all get goin'!" He once again went solo in 1988. Throughout the 70's and 80's Makem performed both solo and with Liam Clancy on The Irish Rovers various television shows, which were filming both in Canada and Ireland.
In the 1980-90s, Makem was a principal in a well-known Irish music venue in New York City, "Tommy Makem's Irish Pavilion." This East 57th Street club was a prominent and well-loved performance spot for a wide range of musicians. Among the performers and visitors were Paddy Reilly, Joe Burke, and Ronnie Gilbert. Makem was a regular performer, often solo and often as part of Makem & Clancy, particularly in the late fall and holiday season. The club was also used for warm-up performances in the weeks before the 1984 reunion concert of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem at Lincoln Center. In addition, the after-party for Bob Dylan's legendary 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration at Madison Square Garden in 1992 was held at the Irish Pavilion.
In 1997 he wrote a book, Tommy Makem's Secret Ireland, and in 1999 premiered his own one-man theatre show, Invasions and Legacies, in New York. His career includes various other acting, video, composition, and writing credits. He also established the Tommy Makem International Festival of Song in South Armagh in 2000.
Makem was married to Mary Shanahan, a native of Chicago, for 37 years, and had four children - daughter Katie Makem-Boucher, and sons Shane, Conor and Rory. They also had two grandchildren, Molly (Dickerman) Makem and Robert Boucher. Mary died in 2001.
Makem's three sons (who perform as "The Makem Brothers") and nephews Tom & Jimmy Sweeney continue the family folk music tradition.
Makem died in Dover, New Hampshire on August 1, 2007, following a lengthy battle with lung cancer. He continued to record and perform until very close to the end. Paying tribute to him after his death, Liam Clancy said, "He was my brother in every way" He is buried next to his wife at New Saint Mary Cemetery in Dover.
Makem was a prolific composer/songwriter. His performances were always full of his compositions, many of which became standards in the repertoire. Some, notably "Four Green Fields", became so well known that they were sometimes described as anonymous folk songs. During the fall of the Iron Curtain, Makem often proudly told the story that his song "The Winds Are Singing Freedom" had become a sort of folk anthem among Eastern Europeans seeing a new future opening before them.
Makem's best-known songs include "Four Green Fields", "Gentle Annie", "The Rambles of Spring", "The Winds Are Singing Freedom", "The Town of Ballybay", "Winds of the Morning", "Mary Mack", and "Farewell to Carlingford". Even though many people mistakenly believe that Makem wrote "Red is the Rose", it is a traditional Irish folk song.
Makem had a gripping stage presence – the result of years of public performance, a charismatic personality, and a bard's voice. An army of friends and fans attended his frequent concerts, many recognizing each other at far-flung venues. Performances frequently included the following familiar elements:
Original Makem compositions; the first set often began with "The Rambles of Spring"
The standard repertoire of folk and Irish music, both well-known and little-known (but never "Danny Boy", "When Irish Eyes are Smiling", "Toorah Loorah Looral", or other forbidden requests)
Oddball songs, such as "Bridie Murphy and the Kamikaze Pilot" (Colm Gallagher) or "William Bloat" (Raymond Calvert)
Poetic recitations, often as introductions to songs; a frequent source was William Butler Yeats. (Thus "Gentle Annie" usually began with "When You Are Old and Grey", and Four Green Fields usually began with Seamus Heaney's "Requiem for the Croppies".)
Jokes, often silly, made funnier through repetition:
"If your nose is running and your feet smell, you're upside down."
Rarely: monologues, such as Marriott Edgar's "The Lion and Albert"
Exhortations, nearly always successful, for the audience to join in the singing
He received many awards and honours, including three honorary doctorates: one from the University of New Hampshire in 1998, one from the University of Limerick in 2001, and one from the University of Ulster in 2007; as well as the World Folk Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. With the Clancy Brothers he was listed among the top 100 Irish-Americans of the 20th century in 1999.[10]
A bridge over the Cocheco River on Washington Street in Makem's long-time home of Dover, New Hampshire, was named the Tommy and Mary Makem Memorial Bridge in 2010.
The Lowlands of Holland
Tommy Makem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The love that I have chosen was to my heart's content.
The salt sea shall be frozen before that I repent.
Repent it I shall never until the day I die
But the lowlands of Holland have parted my love and I.
The very night we got married and lay upon our bed
A pressgang came to my bedside and stood at my bedhead
Saying, Arise arise you new married man and come along with me,
But Holland is a cold place, a place where grows no green
But Holland is a cold place for my love to wander in *
Though money had been so plentiful as leaves grow on the tree
Yet before I'd time to turn myself my love was stolen from me
Be still, be still, my daughter what makes you to lament
Is there ne'er a lad in our town can give your heart content?
There's lads enough in our town but ne'er a one for me
For I never had but one true love and he was pressed from me
*or (It's a wild inhabitation for my true love to be in)
There shall no mantle cross my back, no comb go through my hair
No firelight nor candlelight shall ease my heart's despair
And I will never married be until the day I die
For the lowlands of Holland have parted my love and me
Recorded by Patrick Galvin and (I think) Clancys
Filename[ LOWHOLLD
RG
===DOCUMENT BOUNDARY===
Tommy Makem's "Lowlands of Holland" tells the tragic story of a man whose love was taken away from him by the events of war. The singer expresses his undying love for his partner, claiming that not even the frozen salt sea can freeze his love or make him repent. However, the lowlands of Holland have come between them. The song changes perspective as the man relates the events that followed his wedding night when a pressgang came to his bedside to take him to the lowlands of Holland to fight in the war. He shares his sorrow for leaving his wife behind, knowing that Holland is not a hospitable place to wander; it is cold and offers no greenery. He laments his fortune, stating that he had plenty of money before his love was taken from him, and now he has no reason to return home. The woman's heartbreak is also revealed, as she mourns the lack of suitable men in town and the loss of her one true love who was taken away from her. In the end, the man vows never to remarry, and his heart would remain in despair until he dies since his love was taken away by the war.
The lyrics of "Lowlands of Holland" echo the pain and heartbreak of many during war times, where loved ones were taken away to fight battles in foreign lands. The song is beautiful, sorrowful, and poignant, with a melody that reflects the mood of the lyrics. The lyrics touch on themes such as love, heartbreak, loss, and sacrifice, making it a relatable story for many. The song tells a story that remains relevant in modern times as wars and conflicts continue to separate loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
The love that I have chosen was to my heart's content.
I was content with the love I had chosen.
The salt sea shall be frozen before that I repent.
I will never repent, even if the impossible happens.
Repent it I shall never until the day I die
I will never regret my choices.
But the lowlands of Holland have parted my love and I.
Unfortunately, my love and I have been separated by the Lowlands of Holland.
The very night we got married and lay upon our bed
On the night we got married and lay together,
A pressgang came to my bedside and stood at my bedhead
Soldiers forcibly recruited me from my bed.
Saying, Arise arise you new married man and come along with me,
They ordered me to come with them.
To the lowlands of Holland to face your (fight the) enemy.
I was taken to Holland to fight their enemy.
But Holland is a cold place, a place where grows no green
Holland is a barren, inhospitable place.
But Holland is a cold place for my love to wander in *
My love shouldn't have to endure such a harsh environment.
Though money had been so plentiful as leaves grow on the tree
We had plenty of money.
Yet before I'd time to turn myself my love was stolen from me
But before I could even think, my love was taken from me.
Be still, be still, my daughter what makes you to lament
Calm down, my daughter. What's wrong?
Is there ne'er a lad in our town can give your heart content?
Can't any of the boys in town make you happy?
There's lads enough in our town but ne'er a one for me
There are plenty of boys, but none for me.
For I never had but one true love and he was pressed from me
I had only one true love and he was taken from me.
*or (It's a wild inhabitation for my true love to be in)
*(Or it's a harsh place for my true love to be in.)
There shall no mantle cross my back, no comb go through my hair
I will be in mourning and neglect my appearance.
No firelight nor candlelight shall ease my heart's despair
No light can ease my sorrow.
And I will never married be until the day I die
I will never marry again.
For the lowlands of Holland have parted my love and me
Because of the Lowlands of Holland, my love and I have been separated forever.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J BAIRD, PD TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack Kelleher
This is the best version of this song. Such a powerful, yet mournful voice.
edejan
Been looking for this song! I recognize the album cover and know I must have had it in the past. I sing this song all the time but can't remember all the words any more. Thanks! I love Tommy Makem. His voice was so unique and memorable.
Ed Halloran
edejan try Delores Keane's version.
Claire & Allan Connochie
I know it is all personal preference but I think he kind of murders this. Don't see what the fuss is about with this singer. As far as Irish singers go Luke Kelly is in a different league.
RepublicofE
Well for one thing the sound quality on this upload is pretty poor and the pitch has been shifted to make him sound off-key. There's a more recent upload that is of better quality. Also, Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers made it big among fans of Irish music in America, whereas I think Luke Kelly is more popular in Ireland itself.
Arkybark
I like Tommy M generally, but this is done much too fast and the whistle seems to distract from it. Like Roy Williamson of the Corries, Luke Kelly can't really be compared to anyone else. Really both in a league of their own.
Steve Stevenson
@Arkybark Suspect this recording has been speeded up!
murry cohen
Tommy Makem is considered to be the godfather of Irish traditional vocal music.