Big Strong Man
"Big Strong Man" | |
---|---|
Song | |
Genre | Irish folk |
Language | English |
"Big Strong Man" or "My Brother Sylveste" is an English-language folk song. Though commonly associated with Ireland and performed by Irish bands, it may be of North American origin.[1] The song was popular with Canadian soldiers in World War II.[2] The song is about the singer's brother Sylveste, hyperbolically described as a giant of a man capable of extraordinary feats, such as swimming from New York to Italy.[2] Set in the early 20th century, the song contains allusions to boxers Jack Dempsey and Jack Johnson; it also credits Sylveste with averting the sinking of the Lusitania.[3]
Recordings
Artists and groups who have recorded the song include:
- The Wolfe Tones, on their 1969 album Rifles of the I.R.A.
- Mike Harding, as a 1976 single
- Houghton Weavers, on their 1978 Album Sit Thi Deawn
- Orthodox Celts, on their 1996 album Muzičke paralele
- Brobdingnagian Bards, on their 2002 album Songs of Ireland
- Carbon Leaf, on their 2003 album 5 Alive!
- Derek Warfield, on his 2005 album Songs for the Bhoys
- Blaggards, on their 2005 album Standards
References
- ↑ O'Connor, Edward (14 March 2008). "Big Strong Man — Irish History in Song". Edward O'Connor. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hopkins, Anthony (1979). Songs from the front and rear: Canadian servicemen's songs of the Second World War. Edmonton: Hurtig. ISBN 0888301723. OCLC 15905196.
- ↑ "Big Strong Man (My Brother Sylveste)". Brobdingnagian Bards. Retrieved 13 February 2013.