Spain in my Heart: Songs of the Spanish Civil War

During the years 1936-39, more than 45,000 individuals from over 50 countries travelled to Spain to volunteer as soldiers in the (ultimately unsuccessful) effort to repel the fascist troops of General Francisco Franco. Pennsylvania-based Appleseed Recordings have now brought out this 17-song collection of songs inspired by the conflict. Nearly every Irish person remembers Christy Moore’s ‘Viva La Quinte Brigada’, rendered here by Shay Black of Black Family fame and Aoife Clancy, formerly of Cherish The Ladies (who also contributes a serviceable ‘Bantry Girl’s Lament’). And it’s not surprising to see American folkies Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Laurie Lewis and John McCutcheon turn up on a recording such as this. It’s the Spanish and Central American artists who are the revelation here, though – notably Galician singer Uxía and Nicaraguan brother-and-sister duo Guardabarranco. The only disappointment is that room wasn’t found in the 24-page booklet for translations of the Spanish lyrics.