Rainbows and Railroads

St. Patrick's day is almost here and the timing is perfect since i'm working on my Rainbows course!
This is prompting me to begin an alphabet list for St. Patrick's Day! This will be my first holiday list and my mind if over flowing with ideas!  I'll be ready to celebrate early this year!

Since moving to Baltimore and becoming acquainted with Irish Railroad Worker's Museum I've gained a new perspective on the holiday. The challenges of the Irish immigrant's frustrations in Ireland, journey to this country and injustices suffered working on the B & O Railroad were heartbreaking. Their tenacity, faith, work ethic, and commitment to community enabled them to over come and prosper.

This year they are having an event for Grandparent's and their grandchildren, ages 5 - 10 years old), from 11;00 to 1:00 on St. Patrick's Day featuring arts and crafts, face painting, story telling, Irish music and dance. There will be an introduction to Irish instruments and light refreshments, with donations welcome. Visit their website for more information. 

Our Renaissance chorus is singing Look to the Rainbow from Finian's Rainbow in our spring concert. The words are just as meaningful now as they were when the song was first released. 

​Look to the Rainbow
Petula Clark

On the day I was born, 
said my father, said he,
I've an elegant legacy 
waiting for ye.
Tis a rhyme for your lips 
and a song for your heart,
To sing whenever the world falls apart.
Look, look, look to the rainbow.
Follow it over the hill and stream.
Look, look, look to the rainbow.
Follow the fellow who follows a dream.
Follow the fellow, follow the fellow,
Follow the fellow who follows a dream.
'Twas a sumptuous gift bequeathed to a child.
Oh, the lure of that song 
Kept her feet running wild.
For you never grow old and you never stand still
With a whippoorwill singing beyond the next hill.
So, I bundled me heart and I roamed the world free.
To the east with the lark
To the west with the sea.
And I searched all the world and I scanned all the skies.
But I found it at last in my own true love's eyes.
​
Songwriters: Burton Lane / E. Y. Harburg