Song 7: Paddy's Lament

The song Paddy's Lament by Sinead O'Connor was set during the American Civil War. The song describes how Irish immigrants were forced to fight for the Union during the war, and describes how the Irish lamented having to fight a war outside of their homeland. The story is told from the point of view of an Irish gentlemen who loses his leg in the war, and begs other Irish to not repeat his mistake, and stay home, and out of the conflict. Like the last 3 songs, this one is a rather mournful tale of war and death. This song lets us learn what immigrants doubtless thought when told they had to fight in an American war that didn't involve them.