A Singing Ambivalence is a comprehensive examination of the ways in which nine immigrant groups―Irish; Germans; Scandinavians; Eastern European Jews; Italians; Poles; Hungarians; Chinese; and Mexicans―responded to their new lives in the United States through music. Each group’s songs reveal an abiding concern over leaving their loved ones and homeland and an anxiety about adjusting to a new society. But accompanying these disturbing feelings was an excitement about the possibilities of becoming wealthy and about looking forward to a democratic and free society. Distinguished historian Victor Greene surveys an extensive body of songs of known and unknown origins that comment on the problems immigrants faced and reveal the wide range of responses the newcomers made to the radical changes in their new lives in America. His selection of lyrics provides useful capsules of expression that clarify the ways in which immigrants defined themselves and staked out their claims for acceptance in American society. But whatever their common and specific themes; they reveal an ambivalence over their coming to America and a pessimism about achieving their goals. A Singing Ambivalence examines the familiar sentiments of new immigrants to the United States; while at the same time conveying from an aesthetic viewpoint how immigrants expressed their hopes and difficulties through song. This is an important volume that will be welcomed by scholars of music and immigration history.
#4886144 in Books Univ of South Carolina Pr 1990-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x 6.40 x 1.30l; #File Name: 0872496910388 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Bruce A. VicknairGreat addition to my library0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Snapshot of a forgotten eraBy Steven C. LeviGood read; good history.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A Valuable Resource...By Gene LongThis book; though written in 1928; or perhaps because it was; displays the perspectives of the era. Much of the book was; understandably; written from a southern viewpoint common to the time. There simply are few other resources as reliable as this one for detailed information on the subject. A modern book written on the subject would find it neccesary to refer frequently to this book; or the sources outlined within. If you are a SERIOUS researcher; don't overlook this.
