Skip to content

'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920 Paperback - 1996

by William H. Williams


From the publisher

Over time, the image of the Irish in the United States changed from that of hard-drinking Paddies to genial working-class citizens.

In 'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream, William H. A. Williams traces the change in this image through more than seven hundred pieces of sheet music--popular songs from the stage and for the parlor--to show how Americans' opinions of Ireland and the Irish swung from one extreme to the other.

As Williams shows, sheet music's place as a commercial item meant it had to be acceptable to the broadest possible song-buying public. Negotiations about the image of the Irish and Irish Americans involved Irish songwriters, performers, and pressured groups on one side, and non-Irish writers, publishers, and audiences on the other. Williams ties the contents of song lyrics to the history of the Irish diaspora, revealing how societies create ethnic stereotypes and how such stereotypes evolve, and even disappear, from mainstream popular culture.

From the rear cover

In 'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream, William H. A. Williams traces the change in this image through more than seven hundred pieces of sheet music-popular songs from the stage and for the parlor-to show how Americans' opinions of Ireland and the Irish went practically from one extreme to the other.

Details

  • Title 'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920
  • Author William H. Williams
  • Binding Paperback
  • Pages 344
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher University of Illinois Press, Urbana
  • Date 1996-09
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index
  • ISBN 9780252065514 / 0252065514
  • Weight 1.1 lbs (0.50 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.95 x 6 x 1.04 in (22.73 x 15.24 x 2.64 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 19th Century
  • Library of Congress subjects Popular music - United States - History and, Irish Americans - Music - Texts - History
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 96004491
  • Dewey Decimal Code 782.420

About the author

William H. A. Williams was a professor of history at the Union Institute and the University in Cincinnati. His books include Landscape, Tourism and the Irish Character: British Travel Writers in Pre-Famine Ireland, 1750-1850.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920 (Music in American Life)

by Williams, William H.

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252065514 / 0252065514
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Simi Valley, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.75
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press, 1996-09-01. Paperback. Good. 1.0394 8.9488 6.0000.
Item Price
$5.75
$3.99 shipping to USA
'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream : The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream : The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920

by Williams, William H

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252065514 / 0252065514
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.83
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$7.83
FREE shipping to USA
'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920 (Music in American Life)

by Williams, William H

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Edition
Illustrated
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252065514 / 0252065514
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$11.44
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press, 1996-09-01. Illustrated. paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
$11.44
FREE shipping to USA
'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920 (Music in American Life)

by William H. Williams

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252065514 / 0252065514
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Saugerties, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$14.99
$4.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press, September 1996. Trade Paperback. Used - Very Good. Pages unmarked, light wear to the edges.
Item Price
$14.99
$4.99 shipping to USA
'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream : The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream : The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920

by Williams, William H

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252065514 / 0252065514
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$17.14
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$17.14
FREE shipping to USA
'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920 (Music in American Life)

by Williams, William H.

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252065514 / 0252065514
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Springdale, Arkansas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$18.13
$3.95 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press, 9/1/1996 12:00:01 AM. paperback. Good. 1.0394 in x 8.9488 in x 6.0000 in. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear .
Item Price
$18.13
$3.95 shipping to USA
Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920

by Williams, William H. A.

  • Used
  • near fine
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
First printing, wraps issue
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252065514 / 0252065514
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Portland, Oregon, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 1 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$29.40
$4.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Urbana: University of Illinois, 1996. First printing, wraps issue. Wraps. Near Fine. Music in American Life. 8vo, 311 pp. Corners lightly bumped.
Item Price
$29.40
$4.00 shipping to USA
`Twas Only an Irishman`s Dream – The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

`Twas Only an Irishman`s Dream – The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800–1920

by William H. Williams

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252065514 / 0252065514
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$38.32
$12.70 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Univ of Illinois Pr, 1996. Paperback. New. 344 pages. 9.25x6.25x1.00 inches.
Item Price
$38.32
$12.70 shipping to USA
'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular...

'Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920

by William H. Williams

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252065514 / 0252065514
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Southport, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$38.44
$12.63 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Paperback / softback. New. The image of the Irish in the United States changed drastically over time, from that of hard-drinking, rioting Paddies to genial, patriotic working-class citizens. This title traces the change in this image through 700 pieces of sheet music to show how Americans' opinions of Ireland and the Irish went practically from one extreme to the other.
Item Price
$38.44
$12.63 shipping to USA
Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Twas Only an Irishman's Dream: The Image of Ireland and the Irish in American Popular Song Lyrics, 1800-1920 (Music in American Life)

by William H. Williams

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used:Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780252065514 / 0252065514
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$42.90
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
University of Illinois Press, 1996-09-01. Paperback. Used:Good.
Item Price
$42.90
FREE shipping to USA