"Let the People Sing" ( Irish- American ) Quiz

Answer: Chauncey Olcott

Chauncey Olcott was born in Buffalo, New York of Irish parentage in 1868. Having a light tenor voice, he acted in vaudeville and on the New York Stage. Musically talented he wrote lyrics and composed the beautiful ballad "Wild Irish Rose". After the death of her husband, Chauncey, Margaret Olcott wrote his biography, "Song in his Heart". From this biography the movie, " My Wild Irish Rose" starring Dennis Morgan as Chauncey Olcott, and Arlene Dahl as Margaret was produced.

The ballad, "Wild Irish Rose" is often sung by barber shop quartets.

Answer: Going My Way

"Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra" was sung by Oscar winning Bing Crosby for his portrayal of Father O Malley in the film, "Going My Way". Barry Fitzgerald won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the elderly Pastor, Father Fitzgibbon. Most film reviewers cite the scene where Bing Crosby brings a wee bit of whisky to an ailing Barry Fitzgerald and sings the lullaby, "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra" as one of the highlights of the movie, "Going My Way." The film concludes with the young priest giving the elderly priest a trip to Ireland to see his ninety year old mother. Hummmm, do you suppose she sang "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra" to him when he reached Ireland? "Going My Way" received the Motion Picture Academy Award Oscar for Best Picture of 1944.

Answer: March of Saul

For such a happy tune and fun song to sing, how surprising is it that MacNamara's Band's lyrics contain, "and when we play at funerals, we play "The March of Saul". Composed by Handel, The Dead March" is from Handel's oratorio, "Saul". Dear quiz takers, I hope you do not mind me sharing this, but until I researched this song, I always sang, "and when we play at funerals, we 'play the best of all.'" Who else will be singing the "March of Saul" with me, next St. Patrick's Day?

Answer: To make the shamrocks grow

"...they sprinkled it with stardust just to make the shamrocks grow,
it's the only place you'll find them, no matter where you go...".
These lyrics from the song, "A Little Bit of Heaven", were composed by Ernest Ball. Although born in Cleveland, Ohio, Ball, with fellow composer and lyricist, Chauncey Olcott, celebrated Ireland with other songs such as, "When Irish Eyes are Smiling", "Mother Macree", and "Ireland is Ireland to Me". Ernest Ball is in The Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Answer: Irish Eyes are Smiling

In 1913 the song, "Irish Eyes are Smiling" was composed by Chauncey Olcott and written by Ernest Ball. This ballad was introduced in Chaucey Olcott's production of "The Isle O' Dreams". Chaucey Olcott himself sang "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" in this play. The ending of the verse of "Irish Eyes are Smiling" concludes with these lines: "...You can laugh all the while and other times smile now smile a smile for me." Then the song launches into "When Irish Eyes are smiling sure its like a morn in spring...".

Answer: George M. Cohan

"H" "a" "rr" "i" "g" "an", oops I am singing it! The song, "Harrigan", was composed by George M. Cohan for the Broadway musical production, "Fifty Miles From Boston" a three act play which opened February 3, 1908. "Harrigan" is one of many familiar songs written by Mr. Cohan.
Over fifty some songs were composed by George M. Cohan who was honored when he was inducted into the Composer's Hall of Fame. For his patriotism, George M. Cohan received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Other Irish titled songs composed by Cohan are "God is Good to the Irish" and "You Can't Deny You're Irish".

Answer: His brother drowned in Galway Bay

Born in 1884 in Enniskillen, Ireland, Dr. Arthur Colahan was educated at Dublin University where he received a degree in medicine. From his early youth he also had a strong love and talent for writing music. From University, Dr. Colahan enlisted in WW I. Upon his return from the war, he began his medical practice in Leicester, England.

His brother drowned in Galway Bay and Dr. Colahan wrote the song "Galway Bay" in memory of his brother and his home-sickness for his native land, Ireland. "Galway Bay" was made popular by Bing Crosby and was sung by the patrons of the pub in the movie, "The Quiet Man".

Answer: Kathleen

The song, "Take You Home Again Kathleen" was written for his wife, Jennie, by Thomas P. Westendorf, a schoolteacher from Indiana in the year 1875. The melody to this song is from an old Irish Folk song, "Blow Out the Candle". "Take You Home Again Kathleen" is another Irish ballad song to be featured in a Hollywood movie. This time, the musical group, Sons of the Pioneers sing "Take You Home Again Kathleen", in the John Ford western film, "Rio Grande" starring John Wayne and Maureen O Hara.

Answer: Rose of Tralee

"The pale "moon" was shining above the "green mountain", and ..."that made me love, Mary, The Rose of Tralee", are two lines are from the nineteenth century ballad, "Rose" of "Tralee". A folk rumor has it that a young wealthy fellow was in love with Mary, who was his parent's maid, and the song was written for this Mary.

However, the words to "Rose of Tralee" are said to be written by Mordaunt Spencer and the music by Charles William Glover. In 1959 the town of Tralee instituted a Rose of Tralee Festival with only the women of the town allowed to participate in the pageant and be crowned, "The Rose".

The woman chosen were to represent the description of Mary in the song "Rose of Tralee", which is: "she was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer". Today, Rose of Tralee is an International Festival with women from all over the world invited to participate.

There is no wearing of bathing suits. The criteria besides lovely and fair is a woman with a pleasing personality and the ability to represent Ireland and Tralee with finesse.

Answer: Judy Garland

George M. Cohan sold his rights to MGM Studios for his Broadway show, "Little Nellie Kelly" so that the new, up and coming young starlet, Judy Garland, could be featured in their movies. The song, "It's a Great Day for the Irish" was written by Roger Edens. Judy Garland had a maternal grandmother that was Irish, and so it was thought that Mr. Edens should write lyrics that would focus on Judy Garland's small but true Irish lineage.

At many of Judy Garland's world-wide concerts, regardless of their nationality, audiences would clap and ask her to sing "It's a Great Day for the Irish". Ms Garland with a big smile, it is said, would accede and belt out this favorite of audiences tune.