Zine 2: Happy Within - An Irish American Songbook

Pre-sales for "Happy Within - An Irish American Songbook"

Happy Within is a collection of Irish American songs, compiled by Songstress Melanie Beth Curran. The zine is a happy moment. Songs from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries come together to celebrate their common bond: they represent the touching of two worlds. Ireland and the USA.

The title “Happy Within” comes from the lyrics which sparked this songbook’s creation. In 1938, Alan Lomax recorded a guy named John W. Green on Beaver Island in Michigan. Discovering the field recording of Mr. Green singing “Kathleen Mauvorneen” sent Curran on a quest.

Bring the disparate songs back together! Let them all hang out! One zine! Let people be able to access them and enjoy them! I will do the labor of learning about the song’s origins and the people behind them and setting their lyrics down upon the page.
This zine culls Irish/American songs from Library of Congress recordings, Curran’s personal experiences jamming out in Ireland, Curran’s own songwriting, Youtube sensations, Tik Tok stars, Tin Pan Alley Sheet Music, and the Legends, Lore, and Lyrics of New York City’s Irish American musical scenes.

The common thread between songs is a felt sensation. Curran’s many years playing American traditional and country music have set up her senses to detect any cross over places of Irish and American musical meshing.

“Happy Within” contains lyrics, illustrations and interpretations for 20-30 songs.

Pre-Sales start April 16th and the Songbook drops June 21st 2024 (the summer solstice).

40-60 pages, full color

81/2 by 11 inches, staple or spiral bound, not sure which yet.