Songs of the people, places, and spaces in between: reimagining the Sam Henry Collection and the shared cultural landscapes of Northern Ireland

Abstract

The Sam Henry Collection stands as a comprehensive archive of folk songs from the British Isles, comprising over 800 ballads and songs collected across Northern Ireland during the inter-war period of the 1920s to 1940s. Sam Henry, a pension officer working for the newly formed Northern Irish government, also contributed to the Northern Constitution Newspaper, where he published his renowned Songs of the People series. These songs provide a unique lens through which to examine various socio-political and cultural dimensions inherent in Northern Ireland’s ongoing identity issues. As Northern Ireland is often perceived in political and academic writing as having two main communities-Catholic/Irish/Nationalist/Republican and Protestant/British/Unionist/Loyalist- this study aims to reveal how the Sam Henry songs foster the existence of a third ‘re-imagined’ space beyond these boundaries.

The songs serve as a valuable tool for understanding Ireland’s cultural evolution during a time of significant political and demographical change. By focusing on the cultural geography of Sam Henry’s Irish song archive, this thesis employs an interdisciplinary approach, advocating for a re-evaluation of the songs’ significance in bridging societal divisions. As cultural artifacts, these songs continue to preserve the rich heritage of the region and also deepen our understanding of its cultural diversity and regional identity.

This thesis explores the songs of the collection from multiple perspectives including geo-political, eco-criticism, language analysis, and thematic studies of migration and gender. Its overarching goal is to foster the formation of a cohesive ‘third community’ within Northern Ireland—an inclusive space where diverse identities, languages, and cultural traditions harmonise. This imagined community transcends divisive binaries, celebrating the multifaceted nature of Northern Irish heritage while championing principles of social justice, environmental stewardship, and gender equality. Through an in-depth exploration of the Sam Henry collection and its socio-cultural implications, this study aims to reveal how music and song have the power to bridge societal divides and cultivate a more unified and interconnected society in Northern Ireland. This project represents a pioneering piece of work, uniquely positioned at the intersection of academia and musical practice. As both a scholar and a musician, I bring a distinct interpretive lens to the Sam Henry collection, enriching the analysis with practical and experiential insights. This approach not only enhances the academic exploration of the archive but also revitalises the songs through contemporary performance, offering a multidimensional contribution to the study and appreciation of traditional Irish music.

Date of Award	May 2025
Original language	English
Sponsors	Northern Bridge Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership
Supervisor	Frank Ferguson (Supervisor) & Claire Woods (Supervisor)