Brendy, I fear I have to disagree with you. While I might not agree with everything Conrad says (in particular I tend to think that most organised Christian religion, and indeed from what I know of it, most organised non-CHristian religion is socially harmful and at times malicious) but he does say it in a rather interesting (if lengthy and oblique) way.

I would rather the tradition did include songs of both Irish political orders. I would rather the tradition permitted those who wish to to sing religious songs. I would rather it permitted those who wish to to sing sensual or even obscene songs. I would permit the malicious "Old Alarm Clock" and indeed the celebration of dogfighting in "Champion he was a dandy". If a german visitor to our club is bold enough to sing the "Horst Wessel" song, good luck to him. I would even defend an English singer who wished to sing "Die Lindenbaum" in german despite its connotations.