INSIDE THIS ISSUE SPECIAL FEATURES ON
SONGS, BANDS &AND ARTISTS
EDITORIAL COMMENT
INTERVIEW WITH FORMER ANC
ROBBEN ISLAND PRISONER
TOMMY BURNS
FROM THE BARRAS TO BARRA
CUT OUT, FOLD & MAKE YOUR
OWN CD JEWEL CASE INSERT
TAL MERCHANDISE
LET THE PEOPLE SING POSTER
(Centre Pages)
2
TAL BOOKS, BM BOX 266, LONDON, WC1N 3XX
GOD SAVE IRELAND
THE FOGGY DEW
SCOTLAND’S SHAME
JAMES CONNOLLY
BOYS OF THE OLD BRIGADE
PROTESTANT MEN
THE WEARING OF THE GREEN
COME OUT YE BLACK & TANS
BALLAD OF BILLY REID
THE LEGEND
AIDAN McANESPIE
SEAN SOUTH OF GARRYOWEN
LULLABY TO HEAVEN
ROLL OF HONOUR
ESCAPES TO FREEDOM
LIKE RUNNING UP HILL
MISE ÉIRE
LET THE PEOPLE SING
 TOMMY’S CHAMPIONSHIP DREAM could only fit 18 songs on to the disc. We’d like to thank
those bands and artists who wanted to be part of the
This issue of TÁL will not concern itself too much with project but whose material we could not use this time
what’s been happening on the field of play for the obvious around. We are of a mind to repeat this venture again in
reason that this is a special issue of the fanzine that has 2009 and indeed we already have two-thirds of the material
been built around the free CD. Suffice to say it was a necessary for a Let The People Sing Volume 2.
fantastic end to a somewhat wobbly season that saw us
take the SPL title from under the noses of rangers in the In no particular order we’d like to thank the following:
final weeks of the season. Only 6 weeks before we had Padraig Mór, Gary Og, Shebeen, Declan McLaughlin,
looked down and truly out of the race for the league, but Seanchai, Derek Warfield, Claymore, Damien Quinn, The
misfortune also followed our greatest rivals in the final Bog Savages, Clan Carney, Tullamore Tree, Mike Fox,
weks and it was with some resilience and determination Blarney Pilgrims, The Irish Brigade, Spirit of Freedom, The
that our players rallied to the cause and won the league on Wakes, Terry O’Neill, Adelante, Mise Éire, The TÁLiBand.
that fantastic Thursday night at Tannadice. Not all of the above appear on the CD (and some donated
But the title win was also tinged with sadness after one of more than one track) but their contribution and support for
our true legends Tommy Burns succumbed to the cancer the project was solid and we hope that they will stick with
that had plagued him for the last couple of years. There is us for Volume 2 next year. Go raibh maith agat.
an obituary for Tommy elsewhere in this magazine, so I will
not dwell too long here on it. Only to say that the way the
league ended with a Celtic win was the kind of stuff that Celtic & Ireland in Song & Story
Tommy’s dreams were made of.
An invaluable companion and inspiration throughout this
project has been the book written, edited, compiled by
Raymond Daly and Derek Warfield. All Celtic supporters
Freebie CD - What’s Going On? who genuinely love the club and who share an interest in
Yes, you’re right... You just paid £3 for this magazine and its history and development off the park among the sup-
got one of the best compilations of Irish rebel music that 3 porters, as well as on it, should be compelled to purchase
0r 4 times that amount could not buy you anywhere else... a copy of this book. It consists of an almost definitive
And you even got something to read while listening to it! history of our club through the songs and ballads that
became popular with the Celtic supporters on the terraces
The idea of the free CD was something that our Editorial and stands during the game, and in the pubs and clubs
Group mulled over for quite a while. Initially we simply after the match. I say ‘an almost definitive history’ because
wanted to produce a 4 track EP that would feature medleys Ray Daly assures me that he is already working on a
of songs that we felt reflected the political and cultural second book on the same theme.
heritage of our club and its fans. However, after a bit more
discussion and sounding out of some of the folk bands our Throw the book open at any page and be amazed at the
ambition grew and we decided to go for an altogether wealth of knowledge that it instantly provides, whether it be
bigger project with the CD spearheading the cultural fight- the lyrics of a particular song, the story behind that song
back at Celtic via the Let The People Sing campaign. and the general - and at times somewhat fraught relation-
ship - between a section of Celtic supporters that are highly
We costed the whole operation and put the idea to our politicized and politically
online forum members. In a relatively short space of time motivated, in complete
we were able to raise the money to fund the project through contrast to those rogues
the donations of our online forum members. Individuals as and political appointees
well as supporter clubs made generous contributions to such as John Reid, whose
make this happen. It is only through their efforts that you hypocrisy with ragrd to at-
are able to enjoy this fanzine and the CD that came with it. temots to ‘leave his politics
We would like to thank every person and group that made at the door’ considering
a donation to the LTPS Fund. Your commitment to this the fact that many regard
project has been fantastic. Go raibh maith agat a cairde. the man himself as a war
Finally we would like to thank all of the participating bands, criminal responsible fior
musicians and artists that took part in the project. Everyone the deaths of thousands of
that we approached to be involved responded positively to innoceant s in Iraq and Af-
the idea, some of them recording new tracks and new ghanistan while a cabinet
arranmgements of songs especially for the CD. minister in the Blair Gov-
ernment.
The tremendous response of the musicians meant that we
could have produced a CD of 30 songs, but in the end we
www.celticsongbook.com 3
 Now is the time!
TÁL interviews Thulani Mabaso former ANC Political Prisoner of Robben Island dubbed
“The Black Bobby Sands” by his comrades because of the Hunger Strikes he took part in
while incarcerated by the fascist apartheid regime of South Africa.

Where were you born and was your childhood and

early teen years like growing up.

Thulani Mabaso: I was born and raised in Kwazulu Natal,

my family were farmers my grandfather had live stock. It
was nice until we were evicted and sent to live in a pur-
pose built township. I was a young man and could not un-
derstand, it broke my grandfather’s heart and he
eventually died of stress related to the enforced move by
the authorities. There were no toilets in the township I
lived in and one tap between around 1000 people.

Growing up there was harassment from the police. If the

people wanted to leave the township they would require a
“DOOM PASS” which would give black people permission
to travel. So yes things were hard but there was good
unity in the community.
ON a recent trip to Robben Island, TÁL
At what age did you join the ANC military movement?
Fanzine’s South African correspondent Eddie
Mac met the legendary ANC fighter and Thulani: I became aware and joined at around 16 years. I
former political prisoner Thulani Mabaso. was angry and wanted to make a change, people could
Over a few days Thulani outlines his life and not keep living the way we were.
his part in the struggle to liberate his country.
He also gave interesting insight into the cur-
rent state of affairs in South Africa, with anti-
social violence on the increase and tensions
between ethnic groups at boiling point...

Thulani Mabaso, a tall dark unassuming man, wait-

ing in the Mandela Gateway the port for the ferry
across the Island. Long before tourists paid for the
privilege to go there and visit the prison where Nelson
Mandela one of the most famous people in the world
spent a great part of his 27 years imprisonment,
Thulani was also a prisoner here and spent 6 years
of an 18 year prison sentence on the Island. By far
Thulani is an inspiration to a fellow man. In our meet-
ings he told me of his upbringing, realisation of the
struggle he was going face for the early part of his
adult life, the mission which he carried out success-
fully but would be convicted of, interrogation at the
notorious John Voster Square police department,
time in prison in Johannesburg, Pollsmore and, of
course, Robben Island .
After our last meeting the previous week, xenophobic
attacks on economic immigrants and refugees have
hit the townships of Cape Town. I met up with Thulani
- he lives in the township of Khayelitsha - and asked
his views of the situation and what he and his ANC
comrades are doing to try to calm the rising tensions. The holding cell at the port of Robben Island
4
 Edd Mc: What
kind of training
were you given
and where?
Thulani: There
was training
camps in neigh-
bouring countries
near the borders. I
met Joe Slovo, a
Lithuanian man
who was one of
the founders of
Umkhonto we
Sizwe (Spear of
the Nation) the
armed wing of the
ANC. I learned
how to use AK47,
The boat to the Island hand pistols but
the area I was
good at was explosives, there was lots of practical prac-
tice as well as lectures. I was made head of a unit, which
was made up myself and six others.
The bomb attack on the South African Defence Forc-
es?
Thulani: Yes, as head of my unit I was given my mission
by my commanders. Only I out of my unit knew what it
was to do. I had to infiltrate the South African Defence
Force. I got a job there and gained the trust of the people
working there over time. The night before the attack I was
nervous and could not sleep. I had done all my planning.
The attack happened on a Wednesday. The reason was,
there was children’s nursery that finished at 12 every
Wednesday so the attack was set for 3 pm, it was the pol-
icy of the MK to have no killings in an attack.
The day of the attack I brought two limpet mine bombs to
the building, which between floors 2 and 5 housed the
intelligence units of the authorities. As I went through the
gates - I had the bombs in army shoe boxes - the gate-
man Mr Wilkinson, a World War 2 veteran, let me through
no problem as he liked me and we were friends, but told
me that he needed new boots… my heart stopped! I
placed the bombs either end of the building to cause max-
imum destruction I left . I ask a lady to make
the warning call for me I instructed her in what
to say. I took up a vantage point on a bridge to
watch the explosion with my binoculars. It was
set for 3pm but as it hit 3 no explosion but si-
rens all over the place. 3.01pm – bang! - the
noise and vibration was very loud. As leader of
my unit I walked back to the scene to account
the casualties - 57 in total - and report back to
my commanders.
How were you treated in Interrogation?
Thulani: I was beaten, kicked, had a hankie stuffed in my
mouth; my mouth taped, handcuffed, legs tied, stripped
and watered down with a plastic bag over my head. Then
I was given electric shocks with some sort of prong: All
over my body, including my testicles, and nearly suffocat-
ing with the plastic bag. Also, I was forced to eat my own
excrement by a black police officer on the orders of Cap-
tain Zillie. I was hung out of the 10th floor and told thye
would drop me and they would say I tried to escape. I was
beaten so much it did not hurt .
Edd Mc: In interrogation what were your feelings?
Thulani: With the beatings I received eventually I felt no
pain , I tried to commit suicide by taking an over dose with
the medication I was given for my injuries received by
pretending to swallow the tablet and when I had enough
took them all .
How many years were you sentenced to?
Thulani: I was sentenced to 18 years but PW Botha
wanted me sentenced to death
Were you sentenced straight to Robben Island?
Thulani: No I was first in prison in Johannesburg for two
years but I was moved to the Island because the political
prisoners were influencing the common criminals.
When did you find out you were being transferred to
Robben Island?
Thulani: They took me out my cell and put me into a back
of a van didn’t know were I was going , I was transported
from Jo’burg to Cape Town and not allowed to stop and
use a toilet . (The Journey time traveling by road is nearly
a day). We stopped in an area called Colsberg, where we
stopped for the night at a prison. I slept on a cold floor.
The next day they gave me my breakfast which was por-
ridge with bread, coffee and other things all stuffed in the
bowl , but understand that I was hungry I needed to eat.
Were you the only prisoner on the ferry to the Island?
Thulani: When I arrived at the port for Robben Island I
was put in an holding cell and joined by 5 other prisoners
that arrived from the eastern cape.

How did you feel at the time of your arrest?

Thulani: I wanted to kill myself. I went for a

meet at 7pm but by 7.01pm no-one showed. As
I was driving away the authorities pounced. I
had a grenade and tried to pull the pin but
couldn’t in the confusion of everything that was
Thulani in the communal cell he shared with 69 other in-
going on. I was badly beaten at the scene and
mates, explaining the sleeping conditions.
then bought to John Voster Square.
5

COMRADES: Thulani with TAL’s reporter Edd Mac
Did you know of the other prison-
ers that traveled with you to the Is-
land and did you chat with them on
the way over?
Thulani: Didn’t know who these guys
were just said our hello’s and found out
what prison we were all from. I didn’t
want to say too much as I didn’t know
if you could trust them.
What happened when you arrived
on the Island?
Thulani : Arrived there and was put
into isolation C section for a couple of
months before getting put in the com-
munal cell which would house up to 50
to 60 prisoners.
Did you have any knowledge what
was happening in Ireland and their
struggle?
Thulani : Yes very much, I remember
information being smuggled in about
the bomb in Brighton that went off, we
had a debate about and talked about
planning that went into such a mission.
We also had hunger strikes here. I was
on hunger strike 5 times and gained
the name “THE BLACK BOBBY
SANDS” from my comrades. We would
strike for better food and traveling con-
ditions for our family’s across to the
Island.
How did you get on with Prison
warders?
Thulani: Some warders you got on
with you were able to educate them on
the struggle. I use to clean the offices
and one day an officer asked if I
wanted anything and answered a
newspaper. He didn’t give me it, but a
packet of Rothmans and although I
didn’t smoke I gave them to the lads
that did. After that I had gained his
trust and one day, “Did I like chicken
mayonnaise sandwich?” I said yes al-
though I’d never had one and he told
me it was in the 3rd drawer in his office.
As I went to the office I was suspi-
cious, maybe he was trying to poison
me, but opened it and found a newspa-
per. Although, it was in Afrikaans,
which was better because their papers
were not censored and I could find out
6
exactly what was happening on the
outside, so from then on ‘chicken may-
onnaise’ was the code for the newspa-
per.
Did sport play a major factor in the
prison?
Thulani: Yes we had football teams,
rugby, played tennis & volleyball, but
they were all privileges. We also had
an ‘Olympic Games’ on the Island
which was fun, with sport it unified us .
When were you released from Rob-
ben Island?
Thulani: I was transferred to Polls-
more prison (famed on Ross Kemps’
Sky 1 programme Gangs) initially be-
fore my release I was one the last
groups of prisoners to be released, the
government at the time tried to use me
as bargaining bait for South African
soldiers being held in Angola , but
Mandela visited me and assured me
there was to be no deal done.
What happened when you were re-
leased from prison in 91?
Thulani: I was met by representatives
of the ANC and driven to an airport for
a flight to Durban where the ANC held
there first conference in South Africa
and Mandela was elected party presi-
dent .
What effects did your arrest and
conviction have on your family?
Thulani: Well at the time of my arrest
my girlfriend at the time was harassed,
beaten and raped until she had a men-
tal break down, I did not know about
this until after my release and wanted
to see her but her family wishes were
they did not want me to see her. My
father was shot when he was coming
to visit me, he was paralysed and
blinded and the men that shot him
were never convicted. Some of the
wealthiest business men in South Af-
rica now were given amnesty.
Any regrets on the path you chose
in life?
Thulani: I am proud of what I fought for
but would just like recognition of mine
and my comrades achievements we
helped change the way of life in this
country but now seemed to be forgot-
ten 14 years later.
Last question Thulani. You’re now a
guide on the Island, how does it feel
to go to work in a place where you
spent some of your bleakest years?
Thulani: I wake up wishing didn’t have
to go, but what happened in this coun-
try has to be told so it will never hap-
pen again and people can learn from it.
A week later myself and a friend took
Thulani to the Irish Association of
South Africa breakfast meeting. When
we met him he was telling us he only
got to his house at 3 a.m. that morning
because he was helping to control the
situation that was rising, which he
called Xenophobia. He had to help
immigrants to safe houses and work
together with the police force to stop
the rioters and looters against the for-
eigners in the township in which he
lived.
In the Township where Thulani lives he
is a respected member of the commu-
nity. Whilst in our company his phone
rang continually with calls about what
was going to happen. He told us when
he went back they were going to move
the foreigners such as Nigerians, So-
malians and Zimbabweans to safe
places. In the evening, they would set
up road blocks close all the shebeens
(pubs) at 7p.m and try to control the
situation and stop it getting out of
hand. I asked him what would happen
if the crowd came at them with weap-
ons, he answered me simply – ‘meet
fire with fire’.
Thulani is the kind of man that can in-
spire people. He has known hardship
most of his life. Since being released
he has taken his experience from his
time as an MK soldier and prisoner and
tried to explain to the rest of the world.
He was asked to the USA by a senator
in April but on arrival he had a welcom-
ing party of the FBI and was yet again
interrogated about the past and
searched. He was kept under watch
during his month long stay, but to my
amazement he shrugs it off with a
smile that says it all to me about the
man who’s name mean ‘s “quiet” - Thu-
lani Mabaso.
The ANC slogan of the struggle
SE KUN JALO KE NAKHO
Now is the time!
FREEDOM: Thulani Mabaso leaves jail with a
clenched fist salute to the flag of the ANC.

TOMMY BURNS R.I.P.
Although it’s now two months
since the death of Tommy
Burns, this s the first opportu-
nity that TAL has had to pay its
respects publicly to a true Celtic
hero and legend.
The Term ‘legend' is often conferred too
lightly in the world of football, but in the
case of Tommy Burns, you could not apply
a more apt term to describe the man. From
Bhoyhood to youth player to first team
regular to manager and coach, Tommy
epitomised everything that it is to be a Celt.
The man would literally have walked those
million miles that we used to sing about for
a Celtic goal.
I am not often moved to tears but I found it
extremely to difficult to watch any of the
news coverage and tributes without shed-
ding a few tears each time for TB. A basic
goodness shone out of every pore of that
man and it almost seems like an injustice
that such a good person who spread so
much joy and happiness around him
should be taken from us at such a rela-
tively early age. I will always cherish the
memories I have of Tommy as a player;
there were few more committed battlers for
the Celtic cause, but also he was a fine
footballer with a beautiful left pin that
scored many a crucial goal from his attack-
ing midfield position. He quite literally lived
and breathed this great club of ours.
I was brought up in my early years in the
Calton (my first primary school was, like
Tommy's, St Mary's Primary) before our
tenement was demolished and my family
moved to the Haghill area. By the time I
started secondary school at St Mungo's
Academy, Tommy was already breaking
through the ranks at Celtic. He was well-
known among all the lads at school, espe-
T-shirt and Tommy said that he didn't see
the point as he didn't think the club had any
real problem with racism or fascism. We
agreed with him, but pointed out that it was
important to remain vigilant about it by
reinforcing the traditions of the club and its
own immigrant roots. We pointed out the
experience of the black rangers player
Mark Walters in his first match against
Celtic and the disgraceful racist behaviour
that many of our supporters had engaged
in as an example of complacency at the
club with regard to racism.
Next thing he's sitting having a political
discussion with us and then he turns round
and says, "Ok lads, you've convinced me
to sign it - give me the T-shirt and I'll get a
few of the players to sign it as well."
That's the kind of guy he was, never dis-
missive, never aloof, always prepared to sit
down with the supporters to discuss and
argue the issues with them. Tommy knew
what it was to be a Celtic supporter be-
cause he held the club deep in his heart,
just like all of us.
cially the bhoys that were still living in the
Calton area. I may have over the years watched better
players play for the hoops, but I saw very
During the summer holidays, cos my ma few that wore their heart on their sleeve the
and da worked full-time, I was ‘child-mind- way that Tommy did. That he was held in
ed’ (to use the modern term) by my auntie such high affection by opponents as well
who lived in the high flats at Helenvale as supporters speaks volumes. A diehard
Street between Celtic Park and the Train- Celt that gave no quarter to the opposition,
ing Ground behind the CSA Club on Lon- yet there was also something deeply hu-
don Road. The players used to turn up man about the man that affected all around
early in the morning at Celtic Park, get him. It was interesting just how much
changed and then jog along London Road Tommy’s death affected the rangers man-
to the training ground. There would always agement team, all of whom had worked
be a posse of wee bhoys from the high with Tommy in some capacity or other at
flats waiting for them passing by... this was either Celtic (in the case of Kenny McDow-
when there was Lisbon Lions still in the all) or Scotland (as with Smith and Mc-
squad, plus guys like Kenny Dalglish and Coist).
later on, the young Tommy Burns. I always
remember that the players would always There’s no doubt that something profound
stop if a kid asked them something about happened in that last week of the season
the next match, or for an autograph. My with Tommy’s funeral taking place only two
memory of guys like Jinky, King Kenny and days before the league showdown with us
TB was standing watching as they passed, against Dundee United and rangers away
being completely in awe of them. They'd at Aberdeen. The spirit of our plyers was
come by with their studs clicking on the lifted and there was little doubt at the end
concrete pavement and always say of that match at Tannadice who the players
"Awright Wee Man..." as they passed. had been playing for that night.
Years later, before TB came back as man- Gordon Strachan also deserves some
ager of Celtic, I was standing selling TÁL mention with regard to the way he handled
at Hampden (pretty sure it was a cup final the tragedy of Tommy’s death alongside
match) and Tommy Burns and other mem- the pressure of the final ‘winner takes all’
bers of his family came by, he stopped to match of the season. His eloquence and
buy a fanzine and I said "It's ok Tommy, composure during the press conference
you don't have to pay..." and gave him one. after Tommy’s death had been publicly
He said. "Thanks very much Wee Man..." announced raised him a hundred fold in
As he walked away, I shouted, "You've the eyes of this particular Celt. Strachan
been calling me Wee Man for 25 years..." not only handled the death of his close
and he shouts back, "Aye, but you've been friend with dignity, he also held his players
wee for more than 25 years!" together throughout and turned their grief
into a positive outcome in terms of winning
When he took over as manager he was the league. It’s no lie to say that I felt more
always available to the fans, just as he was then a little guilty and ashamed of the
when he was a player. I remember him headline of our previous issue which had
sitting down with me and my mate when questioned Strachan’s management ability
we were following Celtic on a pre-season and suggested that it might be “Time To
tour of Germany in 1995 while he was Go?” Sorry Gordon.
manager. We'd asked him and the players
to sign a 'Celtic Fans Against Fascism' By Talman
7
 By Timothy Daniel Sullivan
(Perfromed by Derek Warfield)
God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall
High upon the gallows tree swung the noble hearted three
By the vengeful tyrant stricken in their bloom
But they met him face to face
with the courage of their race
And they went with souls undaunted to their doom
God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall
Climbed they up the rugged stair
rang their voices out in prayer
Then with England's fatal cord around them cast
Close beside the gallows tree kissed like brothers lovingly
True to home and faith and freedom to the last
God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall
Never till the latest day shall the memory pass away
Of the gallant lives thus given for our land
But on the cause must go, amidst joy and weal and woe
Till we make our Isle a nation free and grand
God save Ireland, said the heroes
God save Ireland, said they all
Whether on the scaffold high
Or the battlefield we die
Oh, what matter when for Erin dear we fall
God Save Ireland-The Song of the Manchester Martyrs was for
many years the unoffical anthem of the Fledgling Republic before
being replaced by Amhrán na bhFian -The Soldiers Song.
The Manchester Martyrs were Irish nationalists executed for
killing a policeman during an escape. William O'Mera Allen,
Michael Larkin, and William O'Brien were hanged in Manchester,
England on November 23, 1867. The noble hearted three were
caught having participated in the rescue of two officers in the Irish
Republican Brotherhood, Colonel Thomas J. Kelly and Captain
Timothy Deasy.
Kelly and Deasy were both Fenians who played important roles
in the failed Fenian Rising of 1867. Kelly had been declared the
chief executive of the Irish Republic at a secret republican con-
vention, and Deasy commanded a Fenian brigade in County
Cork.
On September 18, 1867, both men were being transferred from
the courthouse to the county jail on Hyde Road, Manchester.
They were handcuffed and locked in two separate compartments
8
inside a police van escorted by a squad of 12 mounted police-
men. The van contained six prisoners in all,including women. As
it passed under a railway arch, a man darted into the middle of
the road, pointed a pistol at the driver and called on him to stop.
At the same time, a party of about 30 men leapt over a wall at the
side of the road, surrounded the van and seized the horses, one
of which they shot. The unarmed police offered little resistance
and soon fled.
In a scene reminiscent of Glasgow's own 'smashing of the van',
rescuers after a vain attempt to burst open the van with hatchets,
sledgehammers, and crowbars, called upon Police Sergeant
Brett, who was inside the van with the prisoners, to open the door.
One of the rescuers placed his revolver at the keyhole of the van
to blow the lock, at the moment Brett put his eye to the keyhole to
see what was going on outside. The pistol was fired and the bullet
passed through his eye into his brain and killed him. The door
was opened when one of the women prisoners took the keys from
Brett's pocket, and passed them through the ventilator to the
Fenians outside. Kelly and Deasy escaped, never to be recap-
tured.
The Manchester Irish community was viciously targeted by the
police in the wake of the escape,and many arrests were made. At
their Committal some of those arrested were discharged, not
because no one could be found to swear against them, but
because of the number of witnesses who could swear to their
innocence.
When asked if they had anything to say before sentence was
passed, each of the accused made a closing speech. Allen stated
his innocence, and that he was prepared to "die proudly and
triumphantly in defence of republican principles and the liberty of
an oppressed and enslaved people".
Larkin said he felt that he had received a fair trial, and that his
counsel had done everything they could in his defence.
O'Brien claimed that all of the evidence given against him was
false, and that as an American citizen he ought not to be facing
trial in a UK court. He then went on at length to condemn the
British government, the "imbecile and tyrannical rulers" of Ireland,
until he was interrupted by the judge, who appealed to him to
cease his remarks: "The only effect of your observations must be
to tell against you with those who have to consider the sentence.
I advise you to say nothing more of that sort. I do so entirely for
your own sake."
One of their co-accused, O'Meagher Condon, also made a
speech, during which he exclaimed, "God save Ireland!" At this,
all the accused repeated "God save Ireland!"
William O'Mera Allen, Michael Larkin, William [Gould] O'Brien,
Thomas Maguire and O’Meagher Condon, were found guilty and
sentenced to death, again crying "God save Ireland" from the
dock after sentence was pronounced. Maguire was pardoned and
discharged and O’Meagher Condon's sentence was commuted
on the eve of his execution. O'Brien, Larkin, and Allen were
publicly hanged - the last public executions in England at New
Bailey Prison in Salford, and then buried in quicklime in Strange-
ways prison,Manchester. The events and their legacy were im-
portant in shaping physical force Irish Republicanism.
The Manchester Martyrs are currently buried in Blackley Ceme-
tery Manchester despite progressive moves by the NGA to bring
them home to Ireland.
* TÁL is most grateful to the legendary balladeer Derek
Warfield for allowing us to use his version of this classic
song on the Let The people Sing CD. We could think of no
better song and no better balladeer to start off the album.
Derek’s lifetime in music is too long and varied to list here.
Suffice to say that he has gone from strength to strength
since parting company with The WolfeTones.
www.derekwarfield.com
 Words & Music By Rev. C. O’Neill It is hard to imagine that Father Charles O’Neill knew that upon fin-
(Performed by Tullamore Tree) ishing his tribute to the fallen Volunteers of the 1916 Irish rebellion,
his song would resonate with Republicans for decades to come.
As down the glen one Easter morn to a city fair rode I
There Armed lines of marching men Born on the 20th of September, 1887, O’Neill was a parish priest in
Kilcoo and Newcastle, County Down. Legend has it that in 1919 he
in squadrons passed me by
attended a sitting of the first Dáil Éireann (translated as “Assembly of
No pipe did hum nor battle drum Ireland”).
did sound its loud tattoo
But the Angelus Bell o'er the Liffey's swell O’Neill was shocked by the number of names on the rollcall that upon
rang out through the foggy dew being called were met with the response: “faoi ghlas ag na Gaill,” or
“locked up by the foreigner.” As a direct result, O’Neill penned to
Right proudly high over Dublin Town
moving ballad as his personal tribute to those that had sacrificed so
they hung out the flag of war much during the Easter rebellion.
'Twas better to die 'neath an Irish sky
than at Suvla or Sud-El-Bar Effectively the song is both a tribute to those who had fallen and also
And from the plains of Royal Meath a rousing call to arms. O’Neill states: “Twas better to die 'neath an
strong men came hurrying through Irish sky than at Suvla or Sud-El-Bar”.
While Britannia's Huns, with their long range guns
sailed in through the foggy dew Suvla refers to a bay at Gallipoli peninsula, Turkey, which was used
as a landing point for the British IX Corp during their offensive in
'Twas England bade our wild geese go, World War I. The British IX Corp also contained the 10th (Irish)
that "small nations might be free"; division.
Their lonely graves are by Suvla's waves
or the fringe of the great North Sea. Sud-El-Bar, or Seddülbahir in Turkish, was the landing site for the 1st
Oh, had they died by Pearse's side Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers. They travelled by the
or fought with the gallant Cathal Brugha Glaswegian built SS River Clyde, which became beached and turned
Their graves we'd keep where the Fenians sleep, into a bloody death trap, with many Irishmen losing their lives to
'neath the shroud of the foggy dew. Turkish guns. “Their lonely graves are by Suvla's waves or the fringe
of the great North Sea.”
Oh the night fell black, and the rifles' crack
made perfidious Albion reel It is with obvious disdain that O’Neill refers to Britain as “perfidious
In the leaden rain, seven tongues of flame Albion”. Perfidy is described as an “act of deliberate treachery or
did shine o'er the lines of steel deception”. Albion is the oldest known name for the island of Britain.
By each shining blade a prayer was said, Interestingly term perfidious has been used to describe Britain for
that to Ireland her sons be true centuries, with instances found back as far as the 13th Century. It
But when morning broke, still the war flag shook out seems Fr O’Neill was most certainly a man of history.
its folds in the foggy dew
It should be noted that other versions, most likely including the
Oh the bravest fell, and the Requiem bell original, replace “Cathal Brugha” with “Valera true” in obvious refer-
rang mournfully and clear ence to the former Taoiseach of Ireland, Éamon de Valera.
For those who died that Eastertide
in the spring time of the year The song has been covered by many artists since it was penned, The
And the world did gaze, in deep amaze, Wolfe Tones, The Dubliners, Sinéad O'Connor and of course Tullam-
at those fearless men, but few, ore Tree to name but a few. “I honestly think you’d have to go a long
Who bore the fight that freedom's light way to find a more spectacular and inspiring song than the Foggy
might shine through the foggy dew Dew,” says Jock Penderleith mandolin player of Tullamore Tree.
“Each time we play it, shivers run up and down my spine, the lyrics
As back through the glen I rode again are superb”.
and my heart with grief was sore
For I parted then with valiant men Fr Charles O’Neill died on the 8th of May, 1963, and his grave can be
whom I never shall see more found in Newcastle cemetery, behind the old church in the main street
But to and fro in my dreams I go of town. Despite his passing, he along with those “valiant men,” live
on forever each and every time a rousing rendition of this rebel ballad
and I kneel and pray for you,
is sung.
For slavery fled, O glorious dead,
By Matty Bhoy
when you fell in the foggy dew.
Brisbane based “tree-o” Tullamore Tree is without a doubt the finest Scots/Irish folk band on Australian soil. “The Tree”
as they are affectionately known Down Under, rose to sudden prominence in the late 1990s as the Irish pub scene
stormed Brisbane by force.
However rather than playing “perfect jigs and reels that tend to blend into each other after more than a few Guinness’s,”
as lead singer Scruffy likes to put it, the band focused on more traditional rebel ballads, as well as some classic rock
thrown in for good measure.
Over the years, Tullamore Tree has played to a wide ranging audience. From the average Aussie down at the pub to the
legendary Finbar Furey who has taken in a number of their gigs, although that may have something more to do with the
boys latching him onto a cask of red than their musical talents!
Scruffy moved to Australia many moons ago, although he is a regular visitor back to Glasgow, even managing to
somehow slip one past the Celtic PLC and sing “Fields of Athenry” live at Celtic Park at a match against Livingston a few
years ago.

9
 Words & Music by Charlie Fehilly had a clear sense of his own cultural and political identity
Performed by the Blarney Pilgrims and a deeply intellectual approach to both his politics and
his music.
When Dublin rose up in 1916
The Orangemen reared up on the Clyde Within a couple of years the Blarney Pilgrims were
The Irish in Glasgow they needed a friend launched and became a permanent fixture in the now sadly
And bold John McLean took their side departed McNee’s Showbar on Glasgow’s Southside. I
don’t think that it is any exaggeration to say that the Blar-
When they brought the sad news ney Pilgrims became the template by which all other rebel
to John’s prison cell folk bands that followed them worked. The Pilgrims paved
Of how his old comrade had died the way for the flourishing Irish rebel folk scene that was to
Jim Connolly tied to a chair and shot dead grow throughout the 1990’s and into the new Millenium.
John hung his poor head and cried
One of my most enjoyable experiences with the Pilgrims
The Irish Tragedy - Scotland’s Disgrace was accompanying them on a short tour of Germany in
And Scotland must share the blame 1992, a tour that was organised by a very good friend of
Anti-Irish bigotry - this is Scotland’s Shame TAL’s from the FC St Pauli fan scene. It was during this
This is Scotland’s Shame tour that the Pilgrims became the first Irish rebel band to
play in Rostok, East Germany, in the immediate aftermath
When the Tans and the Auxies of the racist attacks on the asylum seekers hostel that were
sailed over the sea broadcast worldwide. The Pilgrims, as always, took the
Bringing terror to Ireland’s countryside side of the oppressed and played to a young crowd in an
John said all Scotsman bearing arms on that shore anti-fascist youth centre, an oasis in the city of Rostok at
Should join the republican side that time. The tour also included gigs in Berlin, Hamburg
and Bochum.
The Irish Tragedy - Scotland’s Disgrace
And Scotland must share the blame The Blarney Pilgrims continued to play the Irish, Scottish
Anti-Irish bigotry - this is Scotland’s Shame and English Celtic and Rebel Music circuit for another 10
This is Scotland’s Shame years, until, Charlie and Louise decided to return to their
roots in Ireland, where they now play as a very popular and
Now the Irish in Glasgow must never forget busy duo in the pubs, clubs and hotels of the rebel counties
Must always honour the name
Of the Scottish Republican Socialist Do not fear though because the good news from speaking
Glasgow’s own John McLean with Charlie recently
is that the Blarney Pil-
The Irish Tragedy - Scotland’s Disgrace grims are far from
And Scotland must share the blame dead and indeed
Anti-Irish bigotry - this is Scotland’s Shame Charlie is enthusiastic
This is Scotland’s Shame about keeping the
name and music of
the Pilgrims alive for
It was an absolute delight when, after discussing the ideas many more years to
behind the Let The People Sing project, my old friend come.
Charlie from the Blarney Pilgrims offered to write and
record a song especially for the CD. Charlie gave me some This specially re-
clues as to what would be the theme of the song, but when corded song about
the recording arrived I had no idea that it would contain this the political comrade-
gem of a song, which is sure to become a classic and be ship between John
copied and recorded by other Irish and Scottish republican McLean and James
balladeers. The peoples of Scotland and Ireland hold an Connolly, and the
obvious affection in Charlie’s heart. One country repre- commonality of the
sents the land of his birth, whilst the other is the land of his struggles of the Irish
forebears; the Ireland to which he has now returned to live and Scottish peoples
and work. proves that Charlie’s
song-writing is as John McLean was jailed in April
I first came across Charlie way back in the late 1980’s/early sharp as ever... And 1916 for agitating against the car-
1990’s during the anti-poll tax campaign when he and his that Louise’s backing nage of World War 1
then musical partner would play short sets in the Scotia Bar vocals are as still as The date reads 9th May 1916, the
and at fund raisers for the independent anti-poll tax groups. sweet. same day James Connolly faced
Even pre-Pilgrims Charlie was a highly politicised guy who By TALMAN his "trial" for "treason" in Dublin.

10
 Words & Music by Unknown
(Performed by Gary Og)
A great crowd had gathered outside of Kilmainham
Their heads all uncovered they knelt to the ground
For inside that grim prison lay a brave Irish soldier
His life for his country about to lay down
He went to his death like a true son of Ireland
The firing party he bravely did face
Then the order rang out: "Present arms and fire"
James Connolly fell into a ready-made grave
The black flag was hoisted, the cruel deed was over
Gone was the man who loved Ireland so well
There was many a sad heart in Dublin that morning
When they murdered James Connolly, the Irish rebel
God's curse on you England,
you cruel-hearted monster
Your deed they would shame all the devils in hell
There are no flowers blooming,
the shamrock is growing
On the grave of James Connolly, the Irish rebel
Many years have gone by since the Irish Rebellion
When the guns of Britannia they loudly did speak
And the bold l.R.A. they stood shoulder to shoulder
As the blood from their bodies
flowed down Sackville Street
The Four Courts at Dublin, the English bombarded
The spirit of freedom they tried hard to quell
But above all the din rose the cry "No Surrender"
'Twas the voice of James Connolly, the Irish rebel
ABOUT GARY OG
Gary Óg was born in Glasgow in 1978 and has been play-
ing music professionally since he was just 16 years of
age. Gary’s first band was the iconic Éire Óg which he
fronted for a period of seven years. Gary then formed
Partisan which was also another hugely successful band
on the influential Glaswegian music scene.
Since 2001 Gary has been performing solo and has re-
leased two albums, both of which have been tremen-
dously received. “Gary Óg Live in Glasgow” captures the
raw energy that his shows are famous for. “Songs of Re-
bellion” shows another side to his craft with some haunt-
ingly tender ballads that keep the listener glued.
Gary’s influences range from John Lennon to Bob Dylan
to Bob Marley and everywhere in between. He has an
affinity for songs that represent people that have been
oppressed and have struggled against that oppression.
The passion that is created during his performances can
not be forgotten by those who have witnessed him live.
Gary’s trademark gravely voice and enthusiastic guitar
style has seen him garner fans from all corners of the
globe. Numerous tours to Ireland, the United States, and
Australia have seen Gary’s stature grow to a new level.
When TAL initially approached Gary about the project, his
enthusiasm was obvious. “For far too long the voices of
the political Celtic fan have been censored and silenced,
both by the Establishment and our own club”, he said.
“I am proud of my politics as I know are lots of others, not
just those involved in this project, but all throughout the
Celtic family. I believe this to be a positive step, one in
the right direction, and ultimately the beginning of the fight
back. Stand up, be proud and Let the people sing!”
By Matty Bhoy
Discography
Éire Óg
Live At The Brazen Head
Live At Tully’s
Gary Óg
Live In Glasgow
Songs Of Rebellion
11
 Words & Music by Paddy McGuigan
(Performed by The Bog Savages)
Oh, father why are you so sad
On this bright Easter morn’
When Irish men are proud and glad
Of the land that they were born?
Oh, son, I see in mem’ries few
Of far off distant days
When being just a lad like you
I joined the IRA.
Where are the lads that stood with me
When history was made?
A Ghra Mo Chroi, I long to see
The boys of the old brigade.
From hills and farms a call to arms
Was heard by one and all.
And from the glen came brave young men
To answer Ireland’s call.
‘T wasn’t long ago we faced a foe,
The old brigade and me,
And by my side they fought and died
That Ireland might be free.
Where are the lads that stood with me
When history was made?
A Ghra Mo Chroi, I long to see
The boys of the old brigade.
And now, my boy, I’ve told you why
On Easter morn’ I sigh,
For I recall my comrades all
And dark old days gone by.
I think of men who fought in glen
With rifle and grenade.
May heaven keep the men who sleep
From the ranks of the old brigade.
Where are the lads that stood with me
When history was made?
A Ghra Mo Chroi, I long to see
The boys of the old brigade.
12
About The Bog Savages
California-based and including a republican former pris-
oner in their line-up the Bog Savages are a name to
watch out for on the Irish rebel music scene. Band mem-
bers from Belfast and San Francisco. The Bog Savages
play classic and original Irish rebel songs in San Fran-
cisco and Northern California.
2008 is started off strong on all fronts. From "strength to
strength" as our leaders would say. We're the only band
supporting Black 47 at their Santa Cruz appearance in
March, and will be supporting them in San Francisco at the
Red Devil Lounge. The Bog Savages will also be playing
at the St. patrick's Day Parade festivities at the Civic
Center Plaza on Saturday, March 15. The Bog Savages
will be one of the featured groups in the March 2008 "San
Francisco Irish Fest," playing at the boisterous Blackthorn
Tavern on Sunday. March 16. Most importantly, our debut
album will be released shortly.
Going further back, the band has been highlighted on
KRON television news, played at the 2006 San Franciso
St. Patrick's Day Parade, and headlined the premier Irish
music venues in Northern California including Ireland's 32,
the Abbey Tavern, the Dog's Bollix, the Blackthorn Tavern,
Fiddler's Green, and the Irish Cultural Center. 2006 also
saw the Bog Savages as a supporting act for the renowned
Black 47 at the Red Devil Lounge which was a fantastic
night for the sold-out crowd. Since then we have worked
hard at group development and have been in the studio
working steadfastly.
The Bog Savages have a new album out and it is filled with
classics like Go On Home British Soldiers, Back Home in
Derry, Follow Me Up to Carlow, and Belfast Man, an
original tribute to hunger striker Bobby Sands who died in
1981 after being elected to Parliament while in Long Kesh
- a British prison on Irish soil.
The band’s own words reflect their political commitment:
“Love Ireland as much as you love yourself, or
preferably moreso, and remember that love is an
action verb. Irish Republicanism is against
facism, racism, and sectarianism.”
www.bogsavages.com

PROTESTANT MEN
Words & Music by The WolfeTones
(Arranged & Performed by Padraig Mór)
It was back in history's page, the story's told
of a Napper Tandy brave and bold
With his scarlet and green, he then was seen
with his big long gun his fighting men
And they beat at the drum, they fired their gun
and they shook the English establishment
And the Lords and the Peers they then put fears
and Grattan got his Parliament
So here's to those great Protestant Men
Who gave their lives to free our land
All the people sang their praises then
For those brave United Irishmen
In Belfast town there lived a man
and his name was Samuel Neilson
A minister's son, Presbyterian,
and the paper called the Northern Star
There was Henry Joy, the Green Volunteers
and Thomas Russell and McCabe and McTeir
And to them was known a man Wolfe Tone
and they formed the first United Men
So here's to those great Protestant Men
Who gave their lives to free our land
All the people sang their praises then
For those brave United Irishmen
So you sow your laws with dragons teeth and soon
you'll see that you've sowed the seeds of bigotry
Be Englands fool divide they'll rule
so they set to break the United Men
And they killed them in the fields and some in jail
and some upon the Gallows high
When Willie Orr died his very last cry
was "Unite and fight brave Irishmen"
So here's to those great Protestant Men
Who gave their lives to free our land
All the people sang their praises then
For those brave United Irishmen
Cast dissensions to the wind let all men lend
to the common name of an Irishman
For across history’s page to rant and rage
men crossed the pails of bigotry
There was the men of '98 no sadder fate,
Lord Edward, Tone and the brothers Sheres
It was Emmet's plea in 18 and 3
when he tried to set our country free
So here's to those great Protestant Men
Who gave their lives to free our land
All the people sang their praises then
For those brave United Irishmen
Although not a song that ever found its way on to the terraces or
stands at Paradise it is well known and much loved because it
espouses our Irish Republicanism and anti-sectarianism as well
as any song ever could. Regular readers of TAL Fanzine will
recall the recent article which recognised and celebrated the
contribution of Protestants such as Wolfe Tone, Napper Tandy,
Roger Casement, Henry Joy McCracken and many others to the
cause of Irish freedom. That these free thinkers fought to free
Ireland from the divisions carefully fostered by an alien govern-
ment could not and should not go unrecognised as we continue
to fight for the ideals that they died for, and thanks to the Wolfe
Tones who wrote 'Protestant Men’, they won't. And let us not
forget the contribution of great Protestants such as Stein, Dal-
glish, McPhail, McGrain, Gemmell and many others to the cause
of Celtic either.
By Holloway Gael
ABOUT PADRAIG MÓR
Padraig Mór is another genuine living legend of the Glasgow Irish
rebel music scene. A more engaging big fella you could not hop
pe to meet, Pat has done just about everything himself and will
admit to most of the deeds committed by others. The Horse as he
is affectionately known was one of the original pioneers of the
local rebel music scene. I can remember the times when, pre-
Pilgrims, it was Big Pat and another duo called The Peatdiggers
that entertained local republicans and the Celtic supporters with
their ballads and battle tunes. Pat has played solo and with many
different band and combinations over the years. He is to republi-
can music what a gifted ‘utility player’ would be to The Bhoys.
His generosity and willingness to offer help to fellow republicans
was amply demonstrated when he was approached to contribute
tracks to the LTPS CD. Pat, as you’d expect, immediately said
YES.... But that wasn’t the end of it. Chancing my arm I told Pat
that there were two tracks in particular that we really needed for
the CD, but that we couldn’t find any previous recordings of these
songs by artists from the local rebel scene. Pat immediately
obliged by offering to record the songs especially for the CD. That
sums up Pat’s attitude, generosity of spirit and sense of political
solidarity. BIG MAN - WE ARE NOT WORTHY!
Here is a good wee excerpt from Pat’s own website that gives an
insight into when, where and how he discovered his musical
taste, abilities and influences... BY TALMAN
“It was while spending the school summer holidays at my grand-
father's home in County Donegal in 1975 that I was first intro-
duced to Irish Folk/Rebel music by a cousin of mine who was also
down on holiday from Belfast. He had recently acquired an album
by a group called "The Barleycorn" entitled "The Winds Are
Singing Freedom". I was immediately smitten by the fervour,
passion & the unquestionable love of their homeland that was
evident in every one of the tracks that these guys performed.
I'm pleased to say that the early 70's pop crap that I'd listened to
up until then was immediately resigned to the bin & from that
day to this I have never purchased (nor borrowed!) any album
that has not been Irish of some description, be it Folk, Tradition-
al, Rebel or otherwise.
People have said to me over the years that to display such a
blinkered, one track taste in music is rather odd... if not down-
right sad! Well that may indeed be the case but each to their
own I say... & this is mine... SO THERE!!!”
www.padraigmor.net
13
 Words & Music: Traditional
(New arrangement performed by The Wakes)
O Paddy dear, and did ye hear
the news that's going round?
The Wakes
Formerly known as Murphy's Law, The Wakes have been
The shamrock is by law forbid on the music scene for just over a year now. Glasgow-Irish
to grow on Irish gound! in word and deed, The Wakes embrace their culture, herit-
No more Saint Patrick's Day we'll keep, age and surroundings in song. Covering all manner of
his colour can't be seen subjects from immigration and unemployment, to uprising
For there's a cruel law against and rebellion in Scotland, Ireland and beyond. Writing their
the Wearing of the Green." own songs as well as performing traditional ballads and
tunes, The Wakes bridge the gap between the Irish who
landed here many years ago and those who live here
I met with Napper Tandy, today. . .
and he took me by the hand,
And he said, "How's poor old Ireland, Although a relatively young band The Wakes have a vast
and how does she stand?" amount of experience in their midst with Chris on bass and
"She's the most distressful country sax a classically trained musician who has recorded with
that ever yet was seen, rock and pop bands as well as played previously with
For they're hanging men and women there Coatbridge rebels ADELANTE. James on whistles still
for Wearing of the Green." doubles up on occasion with Adelante. Paul Sheridan is
still a young lad but already very well-known on the Glas-
gow folk circuit from his occasional dalliances with She-
"So if the colour we must wear
been, as well as his excellent solo performances.
be England's cruel red
Let it remind us of the blood The band made a special live recording of their own ener-
that Irishmen have shed; getic and modernised rendition of The Wearing of the
And pull the shamrock from your hat, Green for the Let The People Sing CD
and throw it on the sod
But never fear, it will take root there, The Wakes have also been back in the studio recently
though underfoot 'tis trod. recording the follow up to their very successful first album.
Provisionally entitled NO IRISH NEED APPLY the CD is
When laws can stop the blades of grass from eagerly awaited by their growing army of fans.
growing as they grow
The band can be seen regularly playing around the Glas-
And when the leaves in summer time gow Irish circuit, especially at Failte in the city centre and
their colour dare not show, for Paul’s solo live performances check out The Tollbooth
Then I will change the colour too at Glasgow Cross on a Sunday night.
I wear in my caubeen; By TALMAN
But till that day, please God,
I'll stick to the Wearing of the Green www.thewakes-band.com
The Wearing of the Green is a song that was
hugely popular among the Celtic support in the for-
ties and fifties and relates to the efforts of
British soldiers in Ireland to crush any outward ex-
pression of Irish identity whether religious, political
or simply patriotic. This was very much the case
when Irish Nationalists embraced the shamrock as an
emblem of nationhood which led to a brutal crack-
down by Crown forces. It is a song that should have
a particular resonance for Celtic supporters in the
here and now given the murders of a number of
Celtic fans in the past twenty years who were killed
for no other reason than that they were wearing their
colours and cut down in cold blood for doing so.
By Holloway Gael

14

COME OUT YE BLACK & TANS
Words & Music by Dominic Behan
(Arranged & Performed by Mike Fox)
I was born on a Dublin street
where the loyal drums do beat
And the loving English feet
they walked all over us,
And each and every night
when me da would come home tight
He'd invite the neighbours outside
with this chorus:
Oh, come out you black and tans,
Come out and fight me like a man
Show your wives how you won medals
down in Flanders
Tell them how the IRA
made you run like hell away,
From the green and lovely lanes
of Killashandra.
Come let us hear you tell
How you slammed the great Parnell,
When you thought him
well and truly persecuted,
Where are the sneers and jeers
That you loudly let us hear
When our heroes of ‘16 were executed.
Come tell us how you slew
Them auld Arabs two by two
Like the Zulus they had spears
and bows and arrows,
How you bravely you faced one
With your sixteen pounder gun
And you frightened them poor natives
to their marrow.
The time is coming fast
And I think this day is near,
When each shoneen traitor
He will run before us,
And if there be a need
Sure our kids will say, "Godspeed!"
With a verse or two of singing this fine chorus.
Dominic Behan, as with other members of the famous
Behan Clan from Dublin, was a man of enormous wit,
talent, humour and just enough self-destructiveness to
maintain the Behan name and its association with laughter,
song, poetry and the occasional bit of hell-raising for good
measure.
Glaswegians who frequented the Scotia Bar in Stockwell
Street may remember the many occasions that Dominic let
rip with his songs and poems and stories.
Like his brother Brendan, Dominic also possessed an
enormous talent for song-writing. Indeed, not long before
his death, he penned a few very good tunes with the
multi-talented McCluskey Brothers (formerly of top 20 pop
outfit The Bluebells). The Bluebells even managed to
record a version of Dominic’s fantastic song The Patriot
Game that raised some controversy at the time.
However, it is the rowdy, humorous, hell-raising of a song
like Come Out Ye Black & Tans that really demonstrates
the whole gambit of the Behan mindset. The drunken Dub
patriarch returning home each night “tight” with drink and
taking his drink fuelled rage against the British out on his
poor neighbours. It’s a great song that no matter where it
is performed and by who gets the feet stomping and the
crowd jumping.
Despite it being essentially a ‘drinking song’ it also encom-
passes the hatred of the Irish people for the British Auxil-
iary force, dubbed the Black & Tans because of their mix
‘n match uniforms. The Black & Tans by and large com-
prised of violent criminals who had been offered a choice
between gaol and armed service in the pay of the The
Crown fighting the rebels in Ireland. The brutal and enthu-
siastic way that the Tans went about their business, vio-
lently oppressing the Irish people, is now the stuff of
folklore, a folklore that Behan’s song brilliantly captures in
it’s anger and its humour. Essentially Behan is calling the
Tans for what they were... A gang of cowardly scum only
gaining courage and strength through numbers and appall-
ing brutality against the weakest of their foes.
It is also one of those songs that kind of sums up that
curiously Irish (or maybe it’s a Celtic mentality) of the
blowhard who will fight anyone when under the influence of
alcohol, but who would probably run a mile from the real
thing if it happened to confront him.
At the time of this recording Mike Fox was living and
working in the north-west of England (he has now returned
home to Tuam to look after his elderly mother). He sent
TAL a copy of his CD to review and I was blown away by
Mike’s unique arrangement of this song. It is quite simply
the best version of the song that I know of. I love the fact
that he also manages to cleverly incorporate the chorus of
the Irish Brigade’s Sam Song into it. Put the CD into your
sound system, turn the speakers up loud and feel yer blood
pump along with Mike’s fantastic delivery.
By TALMAN
15
 Words & Music by Brian Lyons IRA becoming a Staff Officer in C Company 3rd Battalion of the
(Performed by Clan Carney) Belfast Brigade. On 2nd February 1971, British soldiers cordoned
off the West Belfast area of Clonard, the area had previously
I'll sing you a song of a terrible wrong, been the scene of a Loyalist pogrom where Homes belonging to
When the flags all flew at half mast. Catholics were destroyed.
And a man he lay dead he'd been riddled with lead, Homes were again being destroyed but this time it was by the
And he died on the streets of Belfast. British Army. Ferocious riots then ensued which spread all across
All the radio said was another shot dead Belfast, where the British Army came under sustained attack by
both gunfire and bombs.
And he died with a gun in his hand
But they never said why Billy Reid had to die During the course of the riots Bernard Watts aged 26 years old
'Cause he died to free Ireland. was shot dead by the British army in the Ardoyne area of North
Belfast. It was during these times that the Community appealed
It happened one day when the bold IRA to Billy Reid for help.
Set out to fight for their land On the same date using a Machine Gun reportedly borrowed
With an old Thompson gun put the troops on the run outside the area, and under the command of Billy Reid , an IRA
And return to their home was their plan. unit attacked a British Army patrol. In the ensuing battle Gunner
All the radio said was another shot dead Robert Curtis was killed and 3 other Soldiers were injured.
And he died with a gun in his hand Gunner Curtis was the first British Soldier to have been killed in
But they never said why Billy Reid had to die Ireland since 1921. This attack was to be a turning point. The
'Cause he died to free Ireland. British Government had to recognise the fact that they were
dealing with formidable opponents in the IRA.
While returning the guns Billy met British Huns
And when the fight had begun Indeed the Morning following the attack, the then Direct Ruler for
the North of Ireland Major James Chichester-Clarke, when inter-
His position was dire when his gun wouldn't fire viewed on television agreed that Britain was at war with the IRA.
So he died with that old Thompson gun.
At one stage Billy was arrested and charged with being a member
All the radio said was another shot dead of the IRA, he was also charged with having Guns, ammunition,
And he died with a gun in his hand masks, and other prohibited items at his home.
But they never said why Billy Reid had to die After being imprisoned for 16 Months when Billy attended Court,
'Cause he died to free Ireland. non of the prohibited items were produced. A voice from behind
Although he lay dead he was kicked in the head, a red curtain then stated that he had seen Billy in a house where
By the hair they dragged him around. arms had been kept.
But the still fear him yet and we can never forget, A Special Branch officer named Harry Taylor then gave evidence
How brave Billy Reid stood his ground. that Billy Reid’s Home in Little Distillery Street had been under
observation for some time. It was then pointed out to Taylor that
All the radio said was another shot dead Billy did not live at Little Distillery Street and had never done
And he died with a gun in his hand so. The farce then continued with Taylor stating that actually he
But they never said why Billy Reid had to die did not know why Billy Reid had been arrested at all. The voice
'Cause he died to free Ireland. from behind the curtain then advised the Court that they also had
no information as to the charges, and that they were simply
If you think he was right come and join in the fight, reading them off a sheet.
And help us to free Belfast.
For the blood that he shed and although he lay dead, It is no surprise then that Billy Reid was found Not Guilty of the
In our hearts his memory will last. Charges. Billy continued to lead many daring, successful opera-
tions against the Crown Forces.On the 15th May 1971, Volunteer
Billy Reid and a number of comrades ambushed the British Army,
The song ‘The Ballad of Billy Reid’ has been one of the favourites
on Academy Street in Belfast City Centre. Two Members of the
sung by Celtic Supporters. Honouring Volunteer Billy Reid for the
British Army were wounded, together with one of Billy’s
sacrifice that he made.
Comrades. On that fateful Night ironically close to Curtis Street,
The Ballad is strong and stirring and has always invoked strong Oglaich Billy Reid was shot dead. All the other members of his
passionate feelings of Pride and Patriotism. Pride that a fellow unit later successfully returned to their base.
Irishman was so strong and courageous in the fight for Irish
Freedom.
Whilst Billy Reid had died, the legend was born.
The song itself was written by ‘The Freemen’ and released 2
So who was Billy Reid? And what happened when he died with
Months after his death. It is a song which all Rebel bands at one
the gun in his Hand.
time or another have sung, but never to a silent audience, always
William ‘Billy’ Reid was born on 1st January 1939, in the New reciting the legendary chorus.At the recent anniversary of the
Lodge Area of Belfast. After leaving school Billy took up trade as Volunteer Billy Reid RFB, I had the opportunity to speak to
a Joiner. An enthusiastic musician, he played the Trumpet and members of Billy’s Family, in particular his Daughter Donna,
wrote his own songs. He was also a keen boxer, and fought for herself a Celtic fan.
the local Holy Family Club.
She herself re-iterated that the songs we sing are not sectarian,
Billy was a man with a great community spirit, often organising they are about our proud History, the celebration of our hero’s
social functions for elderly people in the area. Such was Billy’s and heroin’s and the battles won. And with heads held high we
Commitment both to his Country and his Community he joined the shall continue to sing ‘The Ballad of Billy Reid’. By BFG

18
 Words & Music by Dan Hannon
(Performed by Terry O’Neill)
I went to see a legend just the other night
At the Yankee Stadium, underneath the lights.
I heard a man speaking after years and years in jail.
His name it was Mandela and he came to tell his tale.
The crowd they cheered him loudly,
ah, but then the silence fell
As he spoke about the hard years
in a South African cell.
And though he was free,
his heart was feelin' the pain,
For his country and his people
were still a part of that shame.
He said he hoped that we would join him
and walk down freedom's path,
And these roads would be the hardest,
oh, but they would be the last.
And to join our hands together
so that we might be as one,
And to bring ourselves to the cause
so his battle could be won.
I went home to bed that evening,
went to sleep and I had a dream.
I was standing in the pouring rain,
in an Irish field of green.
And all around the headstones
were the martyrs of the past.
I stood there in silence,
and they spoke to me at last.
"Kevin Barry is my name,
and I died in a cell.
They wanted the names of my comrades,
oh, but this I would not tell."
"And I am Roger Casement.
I was shot in London town
For bringing German rifles
to the lonely Banna Strand."
"James Connolly is my name.
The working people are my life.
When they shot me down
in Kilmainham Gaol with strife."
"And I am Padraic Pearse.
I was shot down by the foe.
I read the proclamation
at the steps of the GPO."
And the last voice that I heard says,
"My name is Bobby Sands,
And it's good to hear Mandela's words
a-ringin' through the land.
"I want to hear them in Belfast,
in Derry and Tyrone.
Maybe then those English soldiers
will know it's time to go home."
I woke up in the morning.
I remembered them all.
And who would believe that
they'd knocked down the Berlin Wall?
And I said "Mandela, could this really be?
Maybe now we will see Ireland reunited and free.
Maybe now we will see Ireland reunited and free
Terry ‘Cruncher’ O’Neill
Throughout our lives we all have iconic images in our minds
which are representative of important periods of history.
For me, following the announcement of the IRA ceasefire in 1995
the sight and sound of Cruncher standing next to Gerry Adams in
front of hundreds of onlookers whilst he sang ‘Something Inside
So Strong’ is such an iconic image.
This was an exciting time, for the first time the people had been
given hope of a peaceful future for them and their Children. But
this song also reminded them that in order to reach this future
they all had ‘Something Inside So Strong’ to survive the horrors
that they had, and also reminded them of the courage they had
also shown in their resistance to these horrors, and also the
determination in their fight for freedom.
Terence ‘Cruncher’ O’Neill was born in Belfast and has always
been a Republican activist. A versatile performer who is not only
a great Singer but also a talented actor.
‘Cruncher’ is one of those People who have a rare attribute
denied to most of us. Everyone likes him and you never hear a
bad word said against him. Musically ‘Cruncher’ makes the guitar
come to life and with his unique voice and style he always plays
to a packed house. He is virtually guaranteed to play somewhere
in Derry following the ‘Bloody Sunday’ commemoration March.
As well as ‘Something Inside So Strong’ Cruncher has applied
his own inimitable style to other favourites such as ‘The Legend’,
’Back home In Derry’ and ’Viva La Quinta Brigade’ These
songs sung with such passion you almost feel the pain of those
involved.
A former member of the Irish Folk Group Tuan, which has toured
extensively in Europe and America, his most notable collabora-
tion is with Bik McFarlane. Both singing styles complimenting
each other and giving a greater emphasis to songs such as
’Song for Marcella’
Whilst ‘Cruncher’ has always been a republican activist he has
also been a staunch supporter of those oppressed in other lands,
often playing at fund raising functions and visiting those in both
Palestine and the Basque Country.
For those fortunate to have seen the phenomenal One Man Show
‘Paddy On The Road’ (The Times and music of Christy Moore)
they will agree Cruncher has a formidable talent. For me at times
in the play ‘Cruncher’ was reliving his own experiences during the
conflict and this made that both moving and poignant. He has
also appeared in other productions such as the hilarious ‘Pulling
Moves’ ‘Binlids’ and ‘Laughter of our Children’
Following the commemoration of a mutual friend last Year in
Preston which Cruncher attended we later watched Celtic playing
in the afternoon at the arranged function.
Cruncher was amazed at the songs being sung with pride which
were clearly audible during the game. He agreed that they are
fitting, and should continue to be sung. His life devoted to the
struggle, which he has kept alive in song and performance,
Cruncher agrees that the LTPS project is a worthy one, keeping
alive our History and our Culture in song.
By BFG
Discography
A Definitive Collection of Irish Ballads
Something Inside So Strong (With Bik McFarlane)
Our Day is Here
Terrorist or Dreamer
19
 Our club has a proud tradition of vociferous support,
the envy of football fans the world over, yet recently
the PLC, pandering to the football authorities, has
sought to suppress this support, wrongly categorising
some of our songs, in a supposedly even handed way
of dealing with the issue of sectarianism in football.
So what of these songs? They commemorate the
lives, sacrifices, suffering and heroic deeds of the
people from the very community that spawned the
idea of Celtic F.C. They lament the shocking condi-
tions endured by the Irish immigrant community in
Scotland and the fact that they were there to escape
“famine and oppression” at the hands of the planted
British ruling classes in their own country. A “famine”
where Ireland was a net exporter of food yet a million
Irish people died of starvation and another million
were forced to emigrate as the only chance of surviv-
al. They celebrate the ongoing struggle to free their
country and our beloved Celtic as a rallying point for
those who believe in that struggle.
Aiden McAnespie
Aiden was twenty-three years of age, a keen gaelic foot-
baller from Aughnacloy, a border town in county Tyrone.
On 21st February 1988 he walked toward the local gaelic
grounds for a match. He was shot dead in cold blood by a
British soldier, a Greandier Guardsman. The Royal Ulster
Contabulary investigation concluded that the death was
accidental, the result of an accidental discharge from a
heavy machine gun, although the guardsman who dis-
charged that particular weapon was initially charged with
manslaughter, a charge that was eventually dropped. He
was eventually fined for misuse of his weapon and subse-
quently discharged for medical reasons. The President of
the Gaelic Athletic Association and the head of the Catholic
Church in Ireland both called it murder.
Aiden had long claimed that he had been singled out by the
security forces and had his life threatened. His father
recalled being stopped by an armed British soldier over a
year earlier and told “I’ve a bullet in this gun for your son
Aiden”. So it would appear that the “accidental
discharge”was, at best, a tragic coincidence, but more
likely another example of the shoot to kill policy of the
security forces of the time that claimed many lives, when
arrest would have been an easy option.
Celtic fans identify with the people of the north of Ireland
who suffered this way at the hands of the British security
forces, for years our supporters have associated them-
selves and have been associated with the ongoing repub- But like Loughgall and Gibraltar you´re lies are well renowned
lican struggle. That will not change despite what the PLC You murdered Aiden McAnespie on his way to the Gaelic
board and their war-monger chairman might say.
By Daithi O
20
The Ballad of Aiden McAnespie
(Words & Music by G. Cunningham)
Performed by Shebeen
Twas on a Sunday evening the sun was in the sky
As he walked his way to the Gaelic pitch never thinking he was
going to die
But as he crossed the checkpoint the sound of gunfire came
The news spread through the border town Aiden McAnespie
was slain
For years he was harassed by the forces of the crown
As he went to his work every day he left his native town
The soldiers swore they´d get him the reason no one can say
And sure enough they murdered him in cold blood that sunny
day
Oh why did you do it?
Have you not the guts to say
You say it was an accident or even a ricochet
But like Loughgall and Gibraltar you´re lies are well renowned
You murdered Aiden McAnespie on his way to the Gaelic
ground
The people heard the gunfire they came from miles around
They saw that you man lying there dying on the ground
His flow of life was ebbing fast and people they tried their best
That bullet wound it was far to deep it went right through his
chest
Oh why did you do it?
Have you not the guts to say
You say it was an accident or even a ricochet
But like Loughgall and Gibraltar you´re lies are well renowned
You murdered Aiden McAnespie on his way to the Gaelic
ground
Aidens life had ended it was time for judgement day
The soldier he jumped down from the tower and the coward he
slipped away
God´s curse on you Britannia for this cruel deed you´ve done
But god will have his final say when your judgement day it
comes
Oh why did you do it?
Have you not the guts to say
You say it was an accident or even a ricochet
But like Loughgall and Gibraltar you´re lies are well renowned
You murdered Aiden McAnespie on his way to the Gaelic
ground
To say it was an accident is the greatest crime of all
To his heart-broken family the worst had `er befalled
A cross it marks the lonely spot where Aiden was gunned down
As he strolled on that sunny evening on his way to the Gaelic
ground
Oh why did you do it?
Have you not the guts to say
You say it was an accident or even a ricochet
ground
The band Claymore, which consists of Danny and Mick and Words & Music by Sean Costello
involves guest musicians such as the talented whistle player (Performed by Claymore)
Katie when the lads play bigger venues, started life in 1993 as
The Volunteers at a St Patrick’s Night event held in an upstairs
bar on Glasgow’s Southside. With only 3 weeks notice, the two It was on a dreary new years day
friends were asked by their mates in the football team to play a As the shade of night came down
set for St Pat’s Night. Both fellas had been playing musical A lorry load of volunteers
instruments since childhood, but had not played music seriously
together before that point. They learned a set of 16 songs and
Approached the border town
hoped that the DJ booked for the evening would fill in for the rest There were men from Dublin and from Cork,
of the night. However, their 16-song set went down a storm with Fermanagh and Tyrone
the crowd and with the audience calling for more the lads went But the leader was a Limerick man
straight through the same set again... And again got a fantastic Sean South of Garryowen
reception from the crowd. The DJ didn’t get a look-in.
Whilst this was their first musical outing together, Mick himself And as they moved along the street
had achieved no small amount of musical success playing with
the legendary punk band The Exploited during the 1980’s. Up to the barracks door
They scorned the danger they would meet
They decided, based on the reaction to their first gig and their
political support for the Irish and Scottish republican struggles, The fate that lay in store
that the band had a good chance of making the grade in the They were fighting for old Ireland
burgeoning Glasgow rebel music scene. 15 years later and with To free their very own
the name changed to Claymore the boys are still going strong And the foremost of this gallant band
with regular residencies and gigs playing to the Irish and Celtic
supporter crowds. Most recently they played a gig run by TAL to
Was South of Garryowen
help raise funds for the Let The People Sing CD and for a Celtic
supporter in Belfast who was attacked by a loyalist mob and But the sergeant spoiled their daring plans
received severe head injuries. He spied them through the door
Claymore have produced one album - an absolute gem called And with sten gun and with rifle
Patriot Games - but have featured on many compilation albums A hail of death did pour
such as the Gathering of the Bands to which they contributed 3 But before that awful night was past
specially recorded songs. For a duo they produce an excellent
sound and play their own unique interpretations and arrange- Two men lay cold as stone
ments of rebel classics. There was one from near the border
The song that we chose for the LTPS CD is Sean South, be- And one from Garryowen
cause of its historical link to Celtic’s republican-minded support-
ers as a song that became very popular on the terraces, but also No more he'll hear the seagull cry
because this is one of the best interpretations of the song that you O'er the murmuring Shannon tide
are likely to hear.
For he fell beneath a northern sky
One important component that makes Claymore tick as a band is Brave Hanlon by his side
that, first and foremost, they believe in the struggles that they sing
about, and it is politics that keeps them going. “We couldn’t do it
He has gone to join that gallant band
unless we believed in it. That aspect is very important to us,” says Of Plunkett Pearse and Tone
Danny. Another martyr for old Ireland
Danny recognises the role that football and Celtic plays in Sean South of garryowen.
Glasgow’s Irish community, but he still feels that it’s important that
the band strives to put a message across as well as entertain. The story of Séan South and Fergal O’Hanlon is one that
Claymore achieve both. It was the death of Bobby Sands that will be very well known to those Celtic supporters who did
largely inspired their political involvement as teenagers and for part of their growing up in the old Jungle at Celtic Park. It
Claymore incorporating that Spirit of Resistance is fundamental. was there that songs like Sean South, Billy Reid and the
The name Claymore has a double edge as well, because the Soldier’s Song were given full voice by the ‘hardliners’ that
band believe passionately in freedom, not only for Ireland but also
for Scotland. “This is where we live and it’s important to politically
frequented the middle of the Jungle. Indeed it was here
relate to what is happening here as well as in Ireland.” A senti- that me and many others learned the words of such bal-
ment long shared and endorsed by this fanzine. lads, only to have our youthful mistakes corrected when we
either moved up the social ladder into the pubs on the
If you’re in Glasgow for a game then you can hardly avoid seeing
Claymore somewhere in town on match days. They play a regular
Gallowgate, or from reading about the actual events that
residency throughout the football season Friday nights and Sun- inspired the songs. Something that we would still recom-
day tea-time in The Emerald Isle. Saturday home games they mend to younger supporters today. It’s important not only
play immediately after the match in McConnell’s. Late Saturday to sing the songs, but also to take the time to learn the story
nights they are back in the Emerald Isle (home games) and every behind the song. Do your own research, educate yourself
second Sunday they play the Squirrell Bar. Do yourself a favour and then join with other republicans in trying to make
and seek out Claymore’s excellent CD Patriot Games. Better still, progressive change. All we want is the world!
go see the band play live after a Celtic match. You won’t regret it. By TALMAN

21
 Lullaby To Heaven
Words & Music by Creaney & Quinn

Performed by Damien Quinn

In Ireland’s fight for freedom many men have fallen,

Their lives given proudly for the cause,
Those gallant lives given for their country,
And to you now the story I will tell,

CHORUS

Won’t you sing them a song,

Sing a Lullaby to Heaven,
Let your comrades know you understand,
Won’t you sing them a song, Lullaby to Heaven is a beautiful haunting melody that
Sing a lullaby to heaven, commemorates by name just some of the IRA Volun-
teers killed during the last phase of armed struggle.
Then our lads and lassies will sing along Damien Quinn, the co-writer of the song was among
the first musicians to volunteer his support and serv-
ices to the Let The People Sing project.
Remember Peter Cleary and Fergal Caraher,
Both were murdered by the forces of the crown, Every area where the IRA was most active and re-
We’ll speak with pride ceived casualties is visited and the fallen Volunteers
of Jim Lochrie and Sean Campbell, commemorated in song.
In South Armagh these gallant men did dwell,
Like most other republicans Damien Quinn has been
influenced by the violent and often tragic events taking
place around him. The difference is that Damien docu-
CHORUS ments it by means of song.
In North Armagh remember McIlvenna
Crossey, Burns, Toman & McKerr The number of volunteers remembered in this song
And from Tyrone McKearney, Carty & Connolly, amounts to 24 and they are spread across the 6 Coun-
McNally, Ryan, Tony Doris too ties. Songs like this have become important reminders
as well as educators. Educators because the sheer
volume of names contained in the song are a gentle
nudge in the
CHORUS direction of
finding out
Remember Bap Kelly and Jim Bryson more about
Skipper Burns, Sean Savage and Billy Reid, each of those
These men all hailed names and
from the gallant Belfast Batallion, how they be-
So many more I cannot them all name came part of
the struggle to
CHORUS rid Ireland of
the British oc-
cupation. Re-
Let’s not forget the girls who died for Ireland, minders
Pettigrew, Fitzsimmons & Maire Drumm, because they
From Portadown came young Julie Dougan clearly point to
Mairead Farrell in Gibraltar made her stand the ultimnate
sacrifice that
CHORUS many have
made during
that quest.

22

ROLL OF HONOUR
Words & Music by G. O Glacain
(Performed by The Irish Brigade)
[chorus]
Read the roll of honour
for Ireland's bravest men
We must be united in memory of the ten,
England you're a monster,
don't think that you have won
We will never be defeated
while Ireland has such sons.
In those dreary H-Block cages
ten brave young Irishmen lay
Hungering for justice
as their young lives ebbed away,
For their rights as Irish soldiers
and to free their native land
They stood beside their leader -
the gallant Bobby Sands.
Now they mourn Hughes in Bellaghy,
Ray McCreesh in Armagh's hills
In those narrow streets of Derry
they miss O'Hara still,
They so proudly gave their young lives
to break Britannia's hold
Their names will be remembered
as history unfolds.
[chorus]
Through the war torn streets of Ulster
the black flags did sadly sway
To salute ten Irish martyrs
the bravest of the brave,
Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson,
Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty
They gave their lives for freedom
with Thomas McElwee.
Michael Devine from Derry
you were the last to die
With your nine brave companions
with the martyred dead you lie
Your souls cry out "Remember,
our deaths were not in vain.
Fight on and make our homeland
a nation once again !"
[chorus]
The momentous Irish Hunger Strike of 1981 which re-
sulted in the deaths of ten brave and commited republican
volunteers - 7 IRA members and 3 INLA members - is
perhaps the single most affecting political moment of my
lifetime... I have many friends and comrades who say ex-
actly the same thing, that the Hunger Strike more than
any other event propelled them into political activity.
The Hunger Strikes of 1980 and 1981 were the culmina-
tion of the prisoners defiance in the face of an intransigent
British war machine led by the widely despised Margaret
Thatcher - and before you ask, the answer is YES, after
all these years, I STILL HATE THATCHER! But, even
Thatcher cannot lay claim to being the architect of
Britain;s strategy in Ireland and in the prisons in particu-
lar. This policy of Ulsterisation and criminalisation started
under a the Labour government of Harold Wilson and
continued under his successor Jim Callaghan.
Special category political status was removed from the
republican POW’s entering the British prison system from
1976 onwards, and so began the steady move towards
more protests and resistance inside the jails and an in-
crease in the brutality of the prison regime, as directed by
Westminster. The ‘no-wash’ or ‘dirty protests’ began
where prisoners would refuse to wear the prison uniform
that the Brits insisted on issuing them, preferring instead
to wear only a blanket rather than give in to the state’s
attempts to criminalise the republican struggle.
The prisoners has 5 basic demands that would restore
their rights as political prisoners of war again:
* The right not to wear prison uniform
* The right not to do prison work
* The right of free association
* The right to organise their own education and recreation
* The right to one visit, one parcel and one letter per week
Relatively simple and perfectly reasonable demands for
those engaged in a military political struggle against the
British occupation of their country, but considered too
much for the British. Labour gave way to the Tories and
Thatcher, whilst the blanket protests gave way to the first
hunger strike in 1980. Despite making promises about the
restoration of political status, the Brits reneged on the
deal and made a second hunger strike inevitable. It was
this second Hunger Strike led by Bobby Sands that was
to prove to be a political watershed for Irish republicanism
in the modern era.
Gerry Glacain’s song Roll of Honour is a rousing tribute
to the 10 hunger strikers who undertook a fast to the
death in order to retain their status as political prisoners
These men were not criminals, they were freedom fight-
ers and it was fear of their unquenchable desire for free-
dom that saw Thatcher allow them to die. That
unquenchable thirst for freedom persists to this day
among the Irish people and their political representatives.
They did not die in vain and indeed it has been argued
that it was the entry of Sinn Féin into the political arena
during the Hunger Strike that paved the way for the politi-
cal advances that the party made in the years to come.
BY TALMAN
23
 Words by Tony Kelly, Music: Traditional
(Performed by Spirit of Freedom)
There are many songs are sung about
the Provos and their tales
The exploits of these gallant men
who broke out from the Jails
From Brixton down to Whitemoor Gaol
The Kesh and Crumlin Road
Magilligan and Portlaoise Gaol
No prison bars can hold
CHORUS
Oh the boys are running free,
the boys are running free
And the biggest break out of them all
Was back in 83
We had the Crumlin Kangaroos
Jumping over walls
They didn’t like the football game
So they dandered up the Falls
They put them on the Maidstone Ship
Where the waters were so calm
Seven lads went overboard
And off to shore they swam
CHORUS
Now the funniest sight you’ll ever see
Is a Provo birdy boy
Flying rebels high and dry
From the warders in Mountjoy
Sure the craic was good when we heard the news
Down in Portlaoise Gaol
They’ve gone and blew a little hole
And 19 men were bailed
CHORUS
From Magilligan and Musgrave Park
And the courthouse down in Newry
The Provos they were breaking out
And the Brits were getting worried
They were digging tunnels everywhere
Were masters of disguise
As women, teachers and the priest
Were in refuge from state lines
24
CHORUS
So they shot their way to freedom
Back in Nineteeen-Eighty-One
Eight lads they left the Crumlin Road
And headed on the run
They searched and searched far and wide
No Provos they could find
The Brixton Busters have long gone
No clues they left behind
CHORUS
Now one Sunday twenty years ago
The dinners they were late
The Provos they were planning
to make their Great Escape
Far from the Blocks the cheer went up
As they smashed out through the gate
Not one, not two, not three or four
By God, there’s thirty-eight
CHORUS x 2
The Spirit of Freedom is an Irish Rebel band that was
formed in 1997. They are founder member and former
republican prisoner Tony Kelly from Free Derry and the
McNally Brothers, Tony and Marty from Tyrone. Tony is
a talented and prolific songwriter, whiklst the McNally
brothers have brough their experience to the band from
their many years of performing with the legendary Irish
Brigade.
Spirit of Freedom have performed all over the globe
from Germany to the States, from Denmark to Scotland
and from England to back home in Ireland. More recent
interest in the band has come from Norway.
Throughout the last 10 years the bands has grown from
strength to strength and are now one of the most popu-
lar folk bands on the republican circuit.
In addition they have also produced 5 albums on CD
and another is due for release later this year.
Escapes to Freedom humorously celebrates the many
legendary escapes and breakouts from various British
and Irish prisons by Irish Republican Prisoners of War.
The tune is to the traditional ballad The Wearing of the
Green.
 Declan McLaughlin Discography:
was born in 1969 in
Derry, Ireland; the The Whole Tribe Sings:
first son for Hugh Missing You (EP)
and Christine Happy (EP)
History Of Hard Luck
McLaughlin. Hugh
McLaughlin was a
Declan McLaughlin:
bass player for a Bloody Sunday
number of Derry’s No Big Deal
show bands, in-
cluding The Dyno- How many time must we do this to ourselves
chords, Lee Roy Been on our knees a million times asking for your help
Brown and the Gay Of all the answers that I don’t understand
McIntyre Jazz Band. Christine McLaughlin I could not draw that firing line
But I know where to stand
worked in the shirt factories that are so synony-
mous with Derry. Nobody told me, must have heard it on the news,
People who had nothing still had everything to lose,
“Like most working class families they tried their It’s like running up hill
hardest to give us the best they could in very troubled It’s like running up hill
times. Both of them were very anti sectarian and
showed us how to be open minded.” In a corner of a graveyard a mother kneels to pray
In the memory of a son that slowly fades away
After finishing high school Declan started playing in In this part of the graveyard the sun no longer shines
bands and describes music as his “saviour”. In 1992 There’s no fences or barbed wire
he formed the Screaming Bin Lids with his friend, and still she’s doing time
Paddy Nash. Hugh McLaughlin again played bass.
Until she gets the answers to the questions that she
“I felt that the lack of political movement was something asks
that needed addressed. The community in which I lived It’s hard to build a future when you’re haunted by the
was, and still is, being denied freedom to control our own past
future. We are more or less slaves in are own streets. I met It’s like running up hill
Paddy Nash around this time and he felt the same. We It’s like running up hill
started playing around town.”
There’s a body in the paper
By 1996 the Screaming Bin Lids had run their race and by The world’s seen what you’ve done
the summer of 1997 The Whole Tribe Sings had been born. There’s a body in the paper
“We recorded Missing You and headed for the United Somebody’s singing, dream the war is gone
States. When we came back we were a different outfit. It’s like running up hill
The time on the road had shown us that outside of the It’s like running up hill
North of Ireland, we could achieve something more.”
And everybody gathered here on central drive
Another massive tour to the US landed the Tribe a record-
They’re marching in the shadow of
ing deal, but it all began to unravel. “Paddy was the first to
go. The record company got nervous and instead of putting the truth you tried to hide
band into the studio, they held back. The tour was planned And every step that’s taken is a breaking of your law
so we soldiered on. Then 9/11 happened and it was hard. For your justice never added up
I could see people trying to deal with the stuff I had grown to the murder that we saw
up with. It was not a good time for the US. By the end of
the tour they all had had enough.” And time don’t make no difference
to the people that still care
Decky has been playing solo since 2002, including a very In thousands we march the streets
successful tour to Australia, supporting Gary Óg in 2006. Still knowing that you’re there
His debut solo album, No Big Deal, is available for free It’s like running up hill
download from www.declanmclaughlin.com and should be It’s like running up hill
in every music lovers’ collection. Another album is report- It’s like running up hill
edly in the works and will be met with great anticipation.
By Matty Bhoy
25
 MISE EIRE MISE EIRE
Words & Music by Seanchai & The Unity Squad SIN ME NA
(Performed by Seanchai & The Unity Squad) ANCHAILLEACH BHEARRA
MOR MO GHLOIR:
MISE EIRE, MISE EIRE ME A RUD
I LOVE THIS LAND CU CHULAINN CROGA.
EVERY WOMAN EVERY MAN MOR MO NAIR:
MISE EIRE MISE EIRE MO CHLANN FEIN
A WORKERS REPUBLIC, A DHIOL A MATHAIR.
AN EVERLASTING PEACE MISE EIRE:
UAIGHNI ME NA AN
I AM YOUR SON, BESIDE THE LAGAN CHAILLEACH BHEARRA.
WOLFE TONE AND THOMAS RUSSELL
BEGAN THE UNITED IRISHMAN Chorus
THE RIVER FLOWS, FORCES OF NATURE I AM YOUR DAUGHTER, BESIDE THE SHANNON
CARRY ALL IN ITS PATH WHERE MAIRE PEROLZ LED THE PEELERS
TO THE PLACE IT¹S MEANT TO BE. A RIGHT MERRY DANCE
Chorus THE RIVER FLOWS, FORCES OF NATURE
CARRY ALL IN ITS PATH
I AM YOUR SERVANT, MOTHER IRELAND TO THE PLACE IT¹S MEANT TO BE
WHERE DAN BREEN AND SEAN TRACEY
SHOT THE COPPERS IN THE GLEN Chorus
POBLACHT NA hERIN I AM YOUR SON, BESIDE THE HUDSON
WORKERS AND FARMERS JAMES CONNOLLY CAME TO ALBANY
YOU¹RE NOT ONLY FREE BUT GAELIC TOLD THE WORKERS TO ORGANISE
NOT JUST GAELIC BUT ALSO FREE AND FROM HIS GRAVE EVOKED A SPIRIT
TOLD THE BOLD MIKE QUILL
Chorus TO BURN THE JUDGES ROBE

I AM YOUR SON, BESIDE THE CLYDE Chorus

BROTHER WALFRID CAME TO THE GALLOWGATE
I AM YOUR SON BESIDE THE LIFFEY
MAINTAINED OUR DIGNITY
PEARSE READ THE PROCLAIMATION
THE RIVER FLOWS, FORCES OF NATURE
DECLARED OUR SOVEREIGNTY
CARRY ALL IN ITS PATH,
THE RIVER FLOWS, FORCES OF NATURE
TO THE PLACE IT¹S MEANT TO BE
CARRY ALL IN ITS PATH
TO THE PLACE IT¹S MEANT TO BE
Chorus
Chorus X 2
It’s not often that a band has its own venue that it can depend upon to
reach out to its fans, unless of course you’re talking about New York’s Seanchai Discography
Seanchai & The Unity Squad. If there has ever been a band that can not There Will Be Another Day
be pigeon holed, it’s surely the group that base themselves out of lead Rebel Hip Hop
singer Chris Byrne’s “Rocky Sullivan’s” pub in Red Hook, Brooklyn. A Sunday At The Turn Of The Century
I Shamrock NY
Listening to a Seanchai album is as much a journey as it is an experi- Rebel Massive
ence. Whether it’s the reggae beats, hip hop rhymes or Rachel Irish Catholic Boy
Fitzgerald’s hauntingly tender ballads, each track offers something fresh.

"I would describe our music as being unrepentant Irish-American music.

www.seanchai.com
The reason there is an Irish thing is because that is where our people
come from. I never considered being Irish as a hobby. We are not
reduced to being entertainers. We are what we are - you can like us or
not. We are what we are," says Byrne, a former member of Black 47.

Seanchai’s back catalogue of albums is impressive, six in total and each

one joining ‘revolutionary politics with a revolutionary sound’. Their latest
album, Irish Catholic Boy, is perhaps their finest piece of work yet.

Perhaps Seanchai & The Unity Squad are best surmised by best selling
author Pete McCarthy: “I'd been hoping for a band that might serve as a
symbol of what Irishness has become in the intense crucible of urban
New York and as I watch and listen it turns out that's exactly what I got.”
By Matty Bhoy

26
 Words & Music by The WolfeTones
(Performed by Padriag Mór)
For those who are in love
There's a song that's warm and tender.
For those who are oppressed
In song you can protest.
So liberate your minds
And give your soul expression.
Open up your hearts,
I'll sing for you this song.
Let the people sing their stories and their songs
And the music of their native land
Their lullabies and battlecries
and songs of hope and joy
So join us hand in hand
All across this ancient land
Throughout the test of time
It was music that kept their spirits free
Those songs of yours and of mine
It was back in ancient times,
The bard would tell his stories
Of the heroes, of the villain,
Of the chieftains in the glen.
Through Elizabethian time
And Cromwellian war and fury
Put our pipers to the sword,
Killed our harpers and our bards.
Let The People Sing is a song that needs little or
no introduction among the Celtic support al-
though it is somewhat ironic that whilst we are
happy to sing it many are reluctant to uphold its
demands, these being the right to sing our
'lullabies and battle cries and songs of hope and
joy'. For many years the Wolfe Tones played and
recorded LTPS and then Gary Og used it as part
of a medley that includes: This land is your land
and Take it down from the mast on the 'Live at
the Brazen Head' CD. It was this arrangement
which endeared it to the Celtic support back in
the day and made it as popular as other
Celtic/Republican anthems such as Boys of the
Old Brigade, Aidan McAnespie and Roll of Hon-
our. However such is the climate of fear engen-
dered by the PLC's crackdown on songs of Irish
resistance that now we very rarely get beyond
'This land'... In fact the Board have even gone so
far as to get a collaborator to record a bastard-
ised version of LTPS which dubs Celtic Park for
Free Derry, I ask you...
By Holloway Gael

Let the people sing their stories and their songs

And the music of their native land
Their lullabies and battlecries
and songs of hope and joy
So join us hand in hand
All across this ancient land
Throughout the test of time
It was music that kept their spirits free
Those songs of yours and of mine

Ireland, land of song,

Your music lives forever
In its valleys, in its mountains,
In its hills and in its glens.
Our music did survive
Through famine and oppression.
To the generations gone,
I'll sing for you this song.
Let the people sing their stories and their songs
And the music of their native land
Their lullabies and battlecries
and songs of hope and joy
So join us hand in hand
All across this ancient land
Throughout the test of time
It was music that kept their spirits free
Those songs of yours and of mine

27
 From The Barras to Barra
counter-reformed by an itinerant Irish priest. His work
stopped at Benbecula when he died. North from here
the isles are staunchly Free Presbyterian. Football
aside, locals live harmoniously together, the common
bond being the strength of the Gaelic language, native
to the islands for over 1500 years.

Barra is a place I would highly recommend for a week-

end. If the thought of a 5 hour sailing puts you off there
are daily flights from Glasgow landing on the Traigh
Mhor beach airstrip, an experience of a lifetime by all
accounts.
BY FIDEL

On the 20th June a dozen members of the Green Bri-

gade went for a well-earned end-of-season break to
Barra in the Western Isles. Barra and it's neighbour
Vatersay are the most southernly populated islands in
the Outer Hebrides archipelago. The journey by land
and sea took us from Glasgow to Oban by minibus and
then 5 hours on the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to
Castlebay on Barra. Blessed by clear skies and calm
seas the journey up the Sound of Mull and over the
Minch was a pleasant one and some of the group saw
some dolphins following the ship at one point.

A maritime event, in fact, was part of the reason for the

group's choice of destination. In 1853 a commercial
ship, the Annie Jane, carrying 453 passengers and crew
left Liverpool bound for Quebec. Carrying mainly poor
Irish emigrants the ship was dogged by problems and
ended up drifting badly off course towards the southern
part of the Hebrides. As the crew tried to make for the
shallow Sound of Vatersay, a large wave knocked al-
most 100 passengers overboard. The ship carrying iron
rails for the Canadian railways broke up completely in
the West Bay of Vatersay. 350 souls perished. The
group visited the site of the disaster where the victims
were buried in a mass pit and where a stone monument
marks the spot. Flowers and the Irish national flag were
left.

It was sad to see this monument because the place itself

is absolutely beautiful. The beaches of West and East
Bay come very close together, with a narrow strip of
Machair in between. Arguably, this is the most beautiful
spot in Scotland.

The group made their way back to Castlebay and en-

joyed a second night of revelry with the locals, who are
for the most part Celtic supporters. Barra and Vatersay
along with Eriskay, South Uist and parts of Benbecula
are catholic. Commonly thought to have been areas
missed by the Reformation they were in actual fact
28
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