Last Friday I went over to the Armory in my neighborhood (my YMCA). It's a shelter at the moment for those displaced by hurricane Sandy. I was actually in Seattle during the hurricane, so like many people I saw the devastating photos on tv and it was hard to imagine it was really happening. My Brooklyn neighborhood wasn't flooded at all, and when I see what happened to some areas of Brooklyn, I feel very blessed.
One of the areas that is just devastated is the Rockaways, which is a community that includes a lot of Irish families. I played there for a concert at Fort Tilden several years ago, and I remember how many people turned out to picnic/dance and listen.
The shelter in my neighborhood includes many seniors from assisted living facilities in the Rockaways. They've set up cots all over the running track, and it's both amazing and sad to see. On the side of the room they have a "wellness area" that offers music, arts, haircuts, knitting etc. every hour. Anything to lift the spirits - . I went to play there and was planning to do some happy jigs and reels , but what the people really wanted to hear was songs.... Danny Boy (several requests), "When Irish Eyes are Smiling", and then the one that got to me, "The Town I loved so well". This song is about going back to Derry, when it has been decimated by war and bombing. Sort of a sad parallel for many of those people.
I came home and listened to Paddy Reilly singing it - I love this verison. (song my Phil Coulter).
It reminded me of the power of music.
I have those people at the shelter to thank for reminding me of that.
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