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10​,​000 Micks (Live)

by Crescent and Clover

supported by
Beth Patterson
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Danny Ford
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about

This song is inspired by a story in the New Orleans' newspaper in the 1930s about the digging of the New Basin Canal back in the 1830s. Irish immigrants were the primary laborers in digging that canal and local legend noted over 20,000 died during the construction. Dr. Laura D. Kelley researched the history and legend of the New Basin Canal and the larger history of the Irish in New Orleans. The song ends as an homage to all those that came before us - who worked hard to build a better life for their families generation by generation.

lyrics

“Ten Thousand Micks
They swung their picks
To dig th’ new canawl
But the choleray was
stronger than they
and twice it killed them all”
- July 18, 1937, Times Picayune

The story is passed by each generation
Of the immigrant’s trials in their new nation
They cut endless miles through the swamp in the heat
While the bodies of their comrades piled up at their feet

History does not support the math
Time blurs the lines between fiction and fact
True it was thankless and without glory
But don’t let the truth get in the way of the story

“Ten Thousand Micks
They swung their picks
To dig th’ new canawl
But the choleray was
stronger than they
and twice it killed them all”

The first “ditchers”came from up north in Philly
Cut a six-mile channel from the Lake into the city
Was faster into town than taking the River from its mouth
Helped make New Orleans the Queen of the South

We know they worked hard, however many in their ranks
They stood on neutral ground between the Creoles and Yanks
Defended their reputation, spoke out against injustice
Not a tale of tragedy but a song of defiance

This is . . .

For the countless Micks
That did not submit
to the Comp’ny or the land
Who labored each day clearing the way
On whose shoulders we all now stand

credits

released March 3, 2023
Anne Hibbs - fiddle
Brittany Piatz - vocals and percussion
Daniel Vance - mandolin
David Connick - vocals and guitar

license

all rights reserved

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Crescent and Clover New Orleans, Louisiana

We are a New Orleans based quartet the plays a mix of Trad and Contemporary Irish and Celtic music as well as original compositions.

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