greatest irish rebel song EVER....

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 01:32 AM

Tommy Makem wrote the Winds Are Singing Freedom in 1973.
OK, I'll play:
Take It Down From The Mast.
Freedom's Sons (Another Tommy Makem song)
"Born into slavery, they were freedom's sons."
General Munro
Henry Joy
The Lonely Woods Of Upton
Ashtown Road.
Arbour Hill
Poor Old Granuaile
Shall My Soul Pass Through Ireland?

Seamus

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 01:16 AM

"Four Green Fields", for me. Brilliant!

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 08:54 PM

Sorry, Pete, but I got to go against you on this. It demonstrates a bias of yours that you and I disagree on. But folks, Pete and I are good friends, so it is a friendly disagreement. The bias is wrong, IMHO, because it denies the basis of the rebel song. The Irish have been trying to throw off the yoke of an oppressor who was better armed, had one of the finest standing militaries in the world, and who had imperial/colonial ambition and felt it was their right to subjugate other cultures. Without getting into a discussion of the rightness of that (thus hijacking the thread), you simply cannot have a thread about these rebel songs without those issues. It was because of those very things that the Irish rebelled over and over again. It has been said that we love our martyrs. All freedom fighters do. The songs exist precisely because of this. And that is what makes them great. In spite of the disadvantages, in spite of the certainty of death, the struggles went on. To eliminate them is to almost apologize for this aspect of the Irish character. And we just aren't going to do that.

Tim......The Ballad of James Connolly done with the appropriate reverence.....anything but average. But the house has to be right.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: paddymac
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 06:47 PM

There's great "new" song by Tommy (I think) Makem called "The Winds Are Singing Freedom." One of the lads in the band heard it somewhere and brought it to rehearsal one night. We all loved it, and had it in "ready repertoire" two weeks later. It's always a hit wherever we do it.

And for powerful lyrics suitable for mass consumption, let's not overlook "Galway Bay." Not the "in your face" kind of rebel song, but powerful in its own way.

This "list" has already garnered mention for many of my personal favorites, but, (with apologies to Jimmy Durante) "I got a million of 'em."

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Big Tim
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 05:09 PM

If, like PeteBoom, you rule out songs on those kinds of grounds, all the Irish rebel songs would be "invalid": as the desired result, a United Ireland, has still to happen: as it assuredly, eventually, will: by constitutional consent.                                          

So, no "Boolavogue", no "Kelly", no "Minstrel Boy", no "Mullaghbawn", etc: not worth listening to: forget them, futile.

The main thing surely is that some of these songs are truly great: in their own right, irrespective of history.

They exist independently as works of art (as do some of the unionist songs).

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Cluin
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 04:26 PM

Denis Leary's Traditional Irish Folk Song

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: PeteBoom
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 03:57 PM

My list eliminates anything that hails "Another Martyr for the Cause" type - so, anything where they die pointlessly is out, anything where they simply lose is out, anything where a "moral victory" is claimed, but hundreds or thousands of lives are lost is out... Limits it pretty much, doesn't it.

Other than that, put me in the same camp as Seamus.

Pete

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Big Tim
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 01:23 PM

Sorry Rapaire, I din't mean to come over as pedantic: a fault of mine.

Ard, you're right (for once!), it's all just a matter of taste. I'd be interested, nonetheless, in the songs you'd describe as "bloody awful" in my list - especially the first one.

"James Larkin" - poor. "James Connolly" (which one, there are at least 4)? All average, or just slightly above. "Legion of the Rearguard" - yes, great song - even if a bit politically dodgy re hailing Dev as the great Republican. As a song tho, overlooked thus far. "Barr na Sraide" - great song but not a true rebel song, as most of it is non-political.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 01:03 PM

Nope, Greycap nominated James Connolly.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: ard mhacha
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 12:52 PM

Sorry Greycap a second look shows you had nominated James Connelly.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: ard mhacha
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 12:48 PM

The Boys of Barna Straide, Erins lovely Lee, Legion of the Rearguard, The song of the Dawn, Jim Larkin, James Connelly,

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Rapparee
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 12:29 PM

Yeah, I realized that I'd misspelled it after I'd sent it. Sorry, I try not to do that.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: ard mhacha
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 11:36 AM

Tim, Too critical by far, it very much depends who the singer is- was, there are some bloody awful songs in your lists, but again it`s a matter of taste, after all I cannot believe that you could associate Lonnie Donegan with My Lagan Love. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Big Tim
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 11:28 AM

Ard, I don't think that "Three Flowers" has been overlooked - it's just that it's a god-awful song. (It's "Banna" strand, btw).

One great song that has been overlooked, I think, is "Oro Se Do Bheatha Bhaile".

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: GUEST,re title
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 08:04 AM

greatest list of irish rebel songs EVER....

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Rapparee
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 07:57 AM

Don't forget Bana Strand (Lonely Bana Strand).

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: ard mhacha
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 07:44 AM

I don`t see The Three Flowers, amazing how this was passed over, as it is in the DT, the song comemerates, Wolfe Tone, Michael Dwyer and Robert Emmett.
And written by Arthur M Forrester and not included in the DT,

                   The Felons of our Land

    Fill up once more, we`ll drink a toast to comrades far away,
       No nation on earth can boast of braver hearts than they,
And though they sleep in dungeons deep, or flee outlawed and banned
   We love them yet, we can`t forget, the Felons of our Land.

In boyhood`s bloom and manhoods pride fordoomed by alien laws,
Some on the scaffold proudly died, for holy Ireland`s cause,
And brothers say, shall we, today, unmoved by cowards stand,
While traitors shame and foes defame, the Felons of our Land.

Some in the convicts dreary cell, have found a living tomb,
And some unseen untended fell within the dungeons`s gloom,
But what care we, although it be, trod by a ruffian band,
God bless the clay where rest today the Felons of our Land.

Let cowards mock and tyrants frown, ah little do we care,
A Felon`s cap is the noblest crown an Irish head can wear
And every Gael in Inishfail, who scorn the serf`s vile brand,
From Lee to Boyne, would gladly join the Felons of our Land.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Joybell
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 05:22 PM

Rapaire, Is that a song about the attempted German/Irish alliance during the war. One of the more sucessful ventures wouldn't you say?

Another song for Irish rebel women, as well as "The Glens of Sweet Mayo", is "Shule Agra"

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Big Tim
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 05:05 PM

Pete St John, Patrick Kavanagh, Father Ted: oi tink not.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Rapparee
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 03:51 PM

All of those listed a great, but for my money, you can't beat this one.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: iRiShBaBe
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 03:36 PM

pete st john is defo up there.
as is patrick kavanagh..

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Big Tim
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 02:54 PM

Arbour Hill,                                                    Arthur McBride,
Avenging and Bright,               
Ballyneety's Walls,
Birmingham Six,                                                   Boys of the Old Brigade,
Dunlavin Green,   
Dying Rebel,
Flag of the Fianna,                                             
God Save Ireland,
Gra Mo Chree,
Grace,
Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls,
Henry Joy,
Henry Joy McCracken,
Ireland Divided,
Ireland Live On,
Kelly the Boy from Killanne,
Let Erin Remember,
Man from God Knows Where,
Minstrel Boy,
Scarriff Martyrs,
Shall My Soul Pass Through Old Ireland,
She is far from the Land,
Silent Oh Moyle,
Soldiers of '22,
Upton Ambush,
Wind That Shakes the Barley.

oh, and Skibbereen!

Whos was the greatest writer? Thomas Moore?

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 01:07 PM

The one that I mostly sing is "Wearing of the Green."
I am not Irish but my all time favourite folk album is the Clancys & Makim "Rising of the Moon."
Perhaps the greatest song has not yet been written. Maybe one that would convince the powers in London to "get the hell out and let the Irish sort out their own affairs!"

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 09:56 AM

Mrs McGrath

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: kendall
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 09:18 AM

Four Green Fields (Tommy Makem)

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: ard mhacha
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 08:53 AM

I wouldn`t argue with that point of view, as the Song says they were kicked out by the local Squires,landed gentry, or whoever did the dirty work around the mid 1800s, as the man in the song says, "just you bastards bloody wait and i`ll let you know" [or words to that effect]. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: freda underhill
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 08:28 AM

..the merry ploughboy

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Fiolar
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 08:23 AM

Ard Mhaca: I had to give a wry grin at your posting about Skibbereen even I'm a Corkman myself. It was noted in the book "Towards Ireland Free" by Liam Deasy that the town was criticised by the IRA command in the War of Indpendence because the local brigade hardly saw any action. Happy New Year.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: ard mhacha
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 06:27 AM

In Brendan Behan`s book Borstal Boy while serving time during the Second World War, he sang The Felons of our Land at the Christmas Concert, this is as good as any of the above and I have always heard it sung with great passion from many an old timer. "But what care we, although it be, trod by a ruffian band, God bless the clay, where rest today the Felons of our Land",.          Ard Mhacha

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: ard mhacha
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 06:08 AM

Tim, Very good, but the best one is missing Skibereen, beautiful air and excellent verse, "i`ll be the one to lead the van beneath the flag of green, and loud and high we`ll raise the cry, revenge for Skibereen,".
And I will be at the back. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Big Tim
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 05:32 AM

Belfast Graves,
Bold Fenian Men (Peadar Kearney),
Bold Fenian Men (Michael Scanlan),
Bold Robert Emmet(despite Prof Marianne Moore's recent objections!),
Boolavogue,
Broad Black Brimmer,
Boys of the County Cork,
Boys of Kilmichael,
Boys of Mullaghbawn,
Croppies Who Will Not Lie Down,
Drumboe Martyrs,
Erin Go Bragh,
Foggy Dew,
General Monro,
Irish Ways and Irish Laws,
Irish Soldier Boy,
Jackets Green,
Joe McDonnell,
Limerick is Beautiful,
Memory of the Dead,
Michael Collins,
Michael Davitt,
Only Our Rivers,
Outlaw Rapparee,
Rebel Heart,
Sean South,
Sean Treacy,
Shan Van Vocht,
Slan Libh,
Slievenamon,
Tipperary So Far Away,
Valley of Knockanure,
Wearing of the Green,
West's Awake.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: DonMeixner
Date: 01 Jan 04 - 02:31 AM

Even tho' I gave an answer to this I must agree with Mick and Seamus.
These are really "Favorites" threads. Can't possibly be a best.

And Skibereen is my "Favorite."

Don

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: cobber
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 10:11 PM

I like follow me up to Carlow

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Ebbie
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 06:37 PM

My hope is that it hasn't been written yet.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Peace
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 05:48 PM

Roddy McCorley.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Joybell
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 05:08 PM

"Roddy McCorley" for me too and from the female perspective
"The Glens of Sweet Mayo"

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: GUEST,Aidan
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 04:23 PM

I think the greatest song ever written (as voted for in a recent BBC poll) is "A nation once again".
Every song relating to the Irish struggle has been a classic IMO and a case could be made for " Roll of honour" by the Irish brigade. But in "a nation once again" we have everything that the centuries of struggle have been about!

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 12:44 PM

If we are widening the definition how's about "The boys are back in town"

The drink will flow and blood will spill
And if the boys want to fight, you'd better let them

If that isn't rebelious I don't know what is!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 12:31 PM

If I had to chose one, for me it would be Roddy McCorley.

In a very different sort of style, I could suggest The Galtee Mountain Boy...

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Jimmy C
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 11:13 AM

There are many that could be considered as the "best". My own favourite would be a choice between

" Wrap the Green Flag Round me Boys".
The Wests Awake
Who Fears to Speak of 98
The Foggy Dew
and if someone could put it to music, the poem " A Terrible Beauty"

Aw what the heck - They are all great.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Amos
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 11:04 AM

The Rising of the Moon always struck me as the archetype, although there are others far more melodious, rhythmic, or name-your-criteria. I don't believe there is one above the rest and the question therefore is futile. Each of thems ings in its own soft amaze. I vote for all the above. I would add Kelly, and in a quirky interpretation, perhaps the Wild Colonial Boy!

A

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: GUEST,gurrier
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 11:00 AM

broad black brimmer, come out ye black an tans & boys of the old brigade. anyone of these would do me...

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: mg
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 10:48 AM

I am leaning toward Bold Fenian Men....mg

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Fiolar
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 10:37 AM

What about "Roddy McCorley" and "Henry Joy"?

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 09:27 AM

I'm with Seamus on this one, here we go again. But as long as I am posting I would have to say that "Minstrel Boy" done appropriately would have to be top 10. As well as "The Soldiers Song" which the Irish people thought enough of to make their National Anthem.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Mickey191
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 09:15 AM

My all time favorite is Boolavogue. Had it not been written, Patriot Game.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 09:13 AM

Am I missing some deeply post-ironic take here? 'Skibereen' is about emigration, not rebellion, 'Sash' is a Loyalist ditty and 'Patriot Game' is a dispassionate appraisal of how the Irish people have been fundamentally conned.

The most 'patriotic' song in praise of Ireland I know is 'Song for Ireland', written by Phil Colclough. An Englishman.

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 08:53 AM

I'm not a big lover of the 'all English are (whatever expletive you like)' songs and find some both offensive and unecessary.

However, if you define greatest as having the greatest impact then my vote goes to the songs that 'have a go' in a more subtle manner. My facourite of that ilk must be Dominic Behan's 'Surrounded by water'.

I like Kevin Barry as well and have been known to sing it or accompany it on whistle occasionaly.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: Willie-O
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 08:36 AM

I don't know all of 'em, but "The Foggy Dew" has all the elements you need--strong poetry, strong melody line, guts. I learned it off Big Mick's band CD and it has gotten me quite a few free Guinnesses...

Subject: RE: greatest irish rebel song EVER....
From: kendall
Date: 31 Dec 03 - 08:26 AM

I like "Kevin Barry"