Saturday 9
Southside Irish
Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!
Saturday 9: Southside Irish (1984)
Not familiar with this week's song? Hear it here.
1. This week's song was chosen because it's something of an anthem in Chicagoland around St. Patrick's Day. Can you name another song that makes you think of St. Patrick's Day or Ireland?
2. The Irish Choir sings that the "craic" is always best among the Windy City Irish. "Craic" is Irish for "fun" and "high spirits." Are you planning anything fun this weekend?
Yes. We’re going out Saturday night. We are seeing a concert by Burton Cummings. He was the lead singer in a 1960’s band called The Guess Who.
3. They tell us that their fathers came over from Mayo, Cork and Donegal. Where did your ancestors hail from?
Funny you should ask, I recently did a DNA test from Ancestry.com.
My paternal grandparents were born in Ukraine. My maternal grandfather was born in a city that was then part of Russia but is now part of Poland, and my maternal grandmother was born in a village that was then part of Austria but is now part of Poland.
So is it any wonder that my DNA results show I’m 100% Ashkenazi Jewish?
4. The lyrics mention the rivalry between Chicago's two baseball teams. As Spring Training 2025 draws to a close, how do you feel about your baseball team's chances this season?
The Mets look good. I’m happy Alonso re-signed, sorry to see Iglesias go, and worried about Alvarez’s broken hand, but I think we’ll be ok.
5. The Chicago River is dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Does your community do anything to special for the holiday?
I apparently live in an Irish neighborhood, because many of my neighbors have decorated their homes with shamrocks and leprechauns. We don’t do anything formal here, but there are parades in neighboring communities this weekend, and I’m sure a lot of my neighbors will be heading into Manhattan Monday for the parade.
6. While this week's song focuses on the Irish population of Chicago, it's not the U.S. city with the highest percentage of citizens of Irish ancestry. According to the 2020 census, Boston is #1. Have you ever been to Boston?
Many times, it’s a lovely city.
7. On Monday, which is St. Patrick's Day, do you plan to wear green?
I don’t think I have anything green in my wardrobe.
8. Clovers are a recognized symbol of St. Patrick's Day, and a four-leaf clover is believed to bring good luck. Have you ever seen a four-leaf clover?
8. Clovers are a recognized symbol of St. Patrick's Day, and a four-leaf clover is believed to bring good luck. Have you ever seen a four-leaf clover?
No.
9. Black coffee with whiskey and whipped cream is Irish Coffee. What's your standard coffee order?
Coffee with milk or half-and-half. No sugar.
Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. As always, feel free to come back, see who has participated and comment on their posts. In fact sometimes, if you want to read & comment on everyone's responses, you might want to check back again tomorrow. But it is not a rule. We haven’t any rules here. Join us on next Saturday for another version of Saturday: 9, "Just A Silly Meme on a Saturday!" Enjoy your weekend!
I think the 2% or Jewish blood I have is Sephardic. My brother and I have different results. He has more Spanish and European than me. He must have gotten it from my mom's side. Brother has green eyes like my mom and grandma. We took after our dad.
ReplyDeleteIt’s interesting, isn’t it? Drew’s father was Ashkenazi and his mother was Sephardic. His results were 60% Ashkenazi, 21% Sephardic, 18% Italian and 1% Middle Eastern. But he looks more Sephardic than Ashkenazi.
DeleteI have always loved Burton Cummings' voice. Do you know "Stand Tall?" Not a big hit, but my fave.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you didn't mention the Mets' addition of the $765 Million Man! He is sure to make a difference.
Soto will certainly be interesting to watch.
DeleteAnd yes, I know that song.
#1 My cousin used to own an Irish Pub. He used to have a battle of the local Irish bands on St. Patrick’s Day.
ReplyDelete#2 Oh… can I come with you?
#4 It seems like half of my class have an enclave of townsfolks around where the Red Sock have their spring training.
#6 It is a lovely city with crazy roads. Now New York if you want to go from 42th st to 47th st you know how to get there... Boston forget it!
Boston is SO easy to get around!! Not sure what the Diana woman is talking about. hahah you don't have to drive at all in Boston as the T is marvelously easy.
ReplyDeleteI much prefer Boston over NYC any day!! although I do enjoy Manhattan but haven't been in years.
That's neat that you found out your ancestry via a DNA test. I've never done that.
Happy weekend!
Every time I visit your blog, I here Christine McVie singing "Songbird." I'm not a big St. Patrick's Day fan. I never saw the point of it.
ReplyDeleteI love her song. I also like Barbra’s “Songbird” and DannFogelberg’s. Three very different songs either the same title.
DeleteI have relatives from all over Chicago, all of whom are as Irish as Paddy's pig. Mom and her family were from South Shore, so I claim South Side, but I grew up on the North. I've never heard this before, and I love it!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Diana and Faith--Boston drivers are THE WORST! And since "the big dig" was completed, it is easier to get around Boston.
ReplyDelete