2. THE BRITISH GRENADIERS FIFE AND DRUM P4
Links to Kate because its quite regimental
and sounds strict and grounded.
Kate is not present whilst this song is
playing, so it is representing her whilst she’s
not there and keeps the sisters in line. In
Kate’s absence there is still a strict and
regimented feeling in the kitchen.
3. THE MILITARY TWO STEP
P20
The military two step has a steady beat,
represents Kate’s beliefs and her role in the
family.
The song is quite oxymoronic, with the name
being ‘military two step’ so it sounds quite
strict and structured like Kate yet the song is
upbeat and happy like her sisters.
4. THE MASON’S APRON
PG 21-22
They all sing to each other but ‘Kate makes
no sound’.
This song is quite fast and upbeat, the
opposite of Kate.
Kate dances ‘alone, totally concentrated’.
She still makes the dance quite strict and
does not dance like the rest of the sisters.
5. DANCING IN THE DARK
PG 32-33
Kate tries to get the sisters to turn the radio off
when this song is on. Chris and Gerry start
dancing and Kate’s says ‘What!’ ‘God forgive
you!’ This shows that Kate is disapproving of the
situation between Chris and Gerry and also the
freedom that the music is giving them, she could
be jealous of them because she is strict with her
religion. She is also disapproving of them
because she feels that they shouldn’t be
enjoying themselves as they have both brought
shame on the family.
6. ISLE OF CAPRI
PG 6, 36
Maggie sings the lyrics of this song
Kate disapproves that Maggie knows the
lyrics to this song ‘If you knew your prayers
as well as you know the words of those aul
pagan songs!’
‘The whole thing is so fragile, it can’t be held
together much longer. Its all about to
collapse Maggie.’ this could be her talking
about both her beliefs and the family.
7. PLAY TO ME GYPSY
PG 43
Opposed to the song at the start, it was quite
structured and strict when Kate wasn’t there.
But at the start of Act 2 when Kate isn’t there
the song is less strict and more relaxed. This
could signify a new beginning in the family
apart from Kate and how Catholicism is no
longer an important part in the sisters lives
whereas Kate is being left behind as she is
still devout.
8. O RUDDIER THAN THE CHERRY
PG 46,48
After Father Jack has sung, Kate straight
away says ‘so you’ll soon begin saying mass
again?’ which shows how she’s strict towards
Father Jack in wanting him to regain his
beliefs in Catholicism. He’s strayed from the
religion and she doesn’t want to bring shame
on the family. If she cant keep him from
straying from the religion then she has no
hope for the rest of the family.
