Frances Black - Magdalen Laundry

[@DonMescall]

hey Guys , I'm the writer of this song and very grateful for the wonderful comments below and indeed the conversation/debates that the lyric has ignited. I wrote this many years ago in 98' after watching a documentary at the time called "sex in a cold climate" produced and directed by Steve Humphries and narrated by Dervla Kirwan. It was such an eye opener for me and truly moving , the song came as a direct result of watching the documentary . If there is one thing that i have learned about songwriting over the years is that sometimes it can be and needs to be thought provoking , it needs to help people to perhaps open up and discuss , it needs to start debates / conversations , being from a small parish myself in county limerick i was very aware how we as Irish people have a tendency to sweep things under the carpet , not talk about things , this to me has always been something that i don't agree with , i believe it is a good thing that there have been several songs written about this very sad time in our history and hopefully at some time this pain will heal , , I love Frances Blacks version of the song and feel its full of passion. v best don

[@bonniegreen2577]

Thank you for writing this song I am a survivor of the Magdalene Laundries. A documentary about the Magdalene laundries. Your song would be perfect to accompany the documentary or film depending on where the producer decides to take it. Let me know. I am Bonnie Green.

[@emerfox1]

The lyrics of this song are so moving .... and so beautifully expressed by Frances Black. Very, very sad. So many young women's lives ruined.

[@racheloriordan6938]

Well done Frances Black.... This song is history 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@jezkn]

The Sisters of Mercilessness

[@mickigoe]

Maybe "evil" is a bit OTT - but I had just five characters left :) What I intended really was "dangerous" , in as much as they perpetuate the horrible system. I stand over "dumb" :) You're hugely generous in your praise , jezyn. I wish you well and I really enjoyed the engagement of minds.

[@68jowalsh]

The emotion is incredible, important not to forget the role of the Catholic Church at this time in Ireland and pressure imposed on families to put their daughters in to these institutions.

[@jtls8]

Thank you Lloyd!!!

[@mickigoe]

Thanks for your very supportive sentiments. I'm particularly glad that you picked up on the spirituality point. For , as you know , there is absolutely no overlap between authentic spirituality and the mundane spirit-sapping beliefs and rituals of organised religions. Indeed religious conviction is probably the antithesis of spiritual development. We should always be questioning. But we won't find answers - and that's beautiful. Of course the RC church have all the glib soulless answers.

[@jezkn]

The way you've phrased this is priceless - the best bit of Anti-catholic propoganda I've yet come across (made me laugh - and i will quote it in 'debates' giving you the credit!). But I cannot go with the last bit. Although I understand the intense pain and seething anger which gave rise to it. It has been a privilege sharing your insights. Thanks.

[@t6adams]

happy to Irish...great Talent!!!!

[@thechurchac]

great song. Who wrote it. 3rd version on this theme I've heard so far.

[@mickigoe]

I was born a catholic in Ireland in1950. Like every other child I was brainwashed and terrorised into accepting the myths and repressions of that church and a state and people controlled by it. The Ireland of the 50's and 60's was an unspeakably horrible place , akin to the muslim states of today. When I was 18 , I found atheism . Since then , I've remained free from that poisonous narcotic ( religion ) and have lived a happy spiritual life. Thank god :)

[@jezkn]

>> They would also feel the same revulsion/disgust as you (and me) and maybe strruggle with continuing lotalty to the church (so many of their contemporaries having ditched it).

[@mickigoe]

We have utterly different views on the advisability of tolerating religions. Why reform the catholic church ? Why do we need it at all ? Religion is a social cancer . But you're a really good human being , jezkn , and I wish you good health and long life.

[@t6adams]

@t6adams I mean "to be Irish"

[@mickigoe]

Hi jezkn - thanks for such a considered response. I like the "thorns" metaphor. As a metaphor. However I'd lean more to the flies on a donkey's tail image. Thinking ordinary catholics are just a source of mild irritation to the hierarchical curial dudes who run the rackets and financial operations of the RC multi-national. I've no great anger against the higher clergy who are just business men pursuing their careers. Good corporate guys. But I detest the stupid ordinary punter so easily conned.

[@jezkn]

No -I totally go with what you say. I feel the same way about 'religion' (although not things 'spiritual'), I know this is a bit personal -for public KZbin but I am really interested in your own perspective. Were you ever 'religious' or interested in 'spirituality' of any kind. Or were you always an 'atheiest' (or indeed have you a more nuanced view -agnostic for instance) - and how did you get to where you are? Were yoiu brought up in a 'religious' context. Pardon my curiosity. It's genuine!

[@jezkn]

Strong words - I feel your pain and i completely understand your wrath and revulsion and feel it too. But do you really believe that last statement? What about the working class 'bread and butter', Catholics, the Catholic Worker movement, the Catholic radicals that work from the inside (the thorns in the side to the complacent clerical and episcopal establishment). Their cause may be an impossible one. But surely their hearts are in the right place? >>

[@mickigoe]

There is no shame in being born a catholic. But to remain one , having reached the "age of reason" , is despicable and unjustifiable.

[@jezkn]

That statement is just unjustifiable. There are many brave, heroic, and good people in the Catholic church - not born into it but there out of conviction, who are are at odds with its power structures and theology, anti-celibacy (which is at the root of its distorted notions of sexuality) and horrified by the Magdalene scandal. All insitutions, secular and non are full of good and bad people (and indifferent). I am no Catholic but I defend their right to be there (and tryijng to change it).

[@mcbreen1]

Sorry this well is dry, no cash for you!

[@jezkn]

Also the comment about living happily and yet still 'spiritually' without all that crap is very telling to (thanks for that) Have other people (yes Catholics/other religious nutters) tried to make you feel guilty about that or 'destabilise'/undermine you (as they did with me) .... (Because of course this contented spiritual existence independant of their 'belief systems' is very much a threat to them and their 'beliefs'/guilt driven 'evangelism')

[@jezkn]

I wasnt referring to the 'stupid ordinary punter so easily' conned, although of course you have pulled in vast swathes of ordinary working class (and yes ignorant) catholics into that ascription, which is unfair on them. Those are still good people and horrified at this scandal too (and have ceased to be practising Catholics in Ireland in their droves because of it). But Catholicism is a cultural phenomenon too like all religions (and ideologies) and people are born into it. Dont condemn them .