Songs of the North Atlantic: Maritime Music for Our Region

At New London Accordion, I've always been drawn to what I call "Songs of the North Atlantic" - the fishing songs, sea shanties, Irish tunes, and American folk music that tell the stories of people who lived and worked on the water. These songs just feel right for our area, and they connect us to New London's deep maritime roots in a way that not much else does.

Finding These Songs Later in Life

I didn't grow up with these tunes, honestly. I discovered them later on, after spending a lot of time near and in the ocean myself. There's something about being on the water that makes these songs click. You understand why sailors needed rhythm to haul rope, why fishermen sang to pass the time, why every port town had its own versions of the same melodies. The accordion fits these songs perfectly. It's loud enough to be heard on a boat, portable enough to bring anywhere, and has that reedy, melancholic sound that somehow captures both the beauty and the hardship of maritime life.

Why These Songs Matter Here

New London used to be a major whaling port back in the day. Ships would leave from here for years long voyages hunting whales in the Pacific. When I play "Rolling Down to Old Maui," I'm playing a song that whalers from this very town would have sung. They'd be months or years away from home, dreaming of making it back to Maui for rest before the long journey home to New England. That's our history, right here in the song.

"The Holy Ground" is another favorite - an Irish song about sailors leaving Cobh (which they called "the holy ground"). Given how many Irish immigrants came through New London and worked on the docks and ships, it feels like part of our story too.

Then there's "Lough Neagh Fishers," which is about eel fishermen in Northern Ireland. It's a quieter song, more reflective, about the lives of people who made their living from the water in a different way than the whalers did. The fishing industry was huge here too and still is in some ways.

Music That Fits the Place

I think folk musicians in our region should pay attention to these songs. They connect us to where we are and they're still worth playing. When you're playing music in Connecticut, especially on the coast, these North Atlantic songs just make sense. They suit the weather, the landscape, the history, and the character of the place.

If you play accordion, guitar, fiddle, or any other folk instrument, I'd encourage you to dig into this repertoire. Learn a few shanties, pick up some Irish maritime songs, explore the American fishing songs. You'll find they go over well at sessions, people connect with them, and they give you a deeper sense of the musical traditions that belong to this part of the world.

That's what I'm doing at New London Accordion anyway - keeping these Songs of the North Atlantic alive in a place where they've always belonged.

Interested in learning accordion or talking maritime music? Get in touch with New London Accordion.