During the Irish Genocide of the 1840's, Irish families had to make tough choices about who they would send to America in hopes of a better life and who would stay behind to continue to face the hardships of famine.
Often the night before someone left for America, their family and friends would gather for a goodbye party that would later be referred to as their American Wake. It was not guaranteed that this person would survive the 11 week voyage to America. If they did make it, chances are no one gathered would ever see them again and that person would most likely never see Ireland again. This song was written by the amazing Kansas City based Celtic rock band The Elders and released off their 3rd album by the same name in 2004.