For almost every event which defines the history of any nation, songs are written. These songs define the thoughts of those that participate, those that spectate, and those that review and interpret. This became very evident to me personally as I was introduced to and began to perform folk music, in particular, Celtic Folk Music.

In 1959, I joined the Marine Corps, was stationed at Quantico, Virginia and in 1960, played and sang in folk clubs in Washington D.C., the Bohemian Caverns and Coffee N’ Confusion. In the daytime, I was a Marined Sergeant, but at night, I magically transformed into a beatnik, and changed into my black turtleneck and jeans.  One night, just after I had performed, a local high school student performed original poetry, his very first public performance. This was Jim Morrison who then became lead singer for the Doors. I soon learned the songs of Bob Dylan, the Weavers, Buffy St Marie, Phil Ochs, Joan Baez and others.  While I was playing in Washington, in Georgetown, the Mugwumps with John Denver, Taffy Nivet and Bill Danoff wrote “Take me Home, Country Roads, and John Sebastion and Zal Yanovsky became the “Loving Spoonful”, and Denny Doherty and Cass Elliott fomred “The Mamas and Papas. This was the  or beat era, and I read he works  of Jack Kerouac and Alan Ginsburg, living two lifestyles, Military and Bohemian.   

In 1963, I leff the Marines and joined the Air Force and in 1965 was stationed at RAF Kirknewton, Scotland, 8 miles from Edinburgh, the hotspot for Celtic Music. I stared a band called “The Gatekeepers with Butch Girard from Miami, Florida, and Dee Watt an Edinburgh Lass.  We played  at the Stockpot in Edinburgh, Walker’s Nightclub and the Galashiels Hootenanny Club, and travelled to London where we played with Peter, Paul and Mary.  We were a Celtic Folk Band, playing mostly British Folk, Irish, Scotlish, Welsh and Australlian. In Dec 1866 , I was transferred to RAF Chicksands in Bedford, England, and played at the Bedford Folk Club with Ton Paxton, and at the Ship Pub every Friday night.  I have continued with Celtic Folk Bands, Gloddrydd, and Down the Glen in central Ohio.

Even though we can read about historical events on the web, history is almost portrayed by statistics. Statistics do not describe the thoughts and impressions of those involved.  This takes personal stories, novels and songs that provide emotion and bring statistics to life.  The following are links to songs from some nations, not all that were part of the British Empire. These are youtube performances.  If you wish to know the lyrics to amost any folk song, a google search will provide what you wish. History is much more than than conflict. Songs, of love, industry, drinking, farming and religion are also important.  

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