Tune Req: The Gentle Black-and-Tans

Subject: Tune Req: The Gentle Black-and-Tan
From: Fergie
Date: 05 Apr 16 - 09:38 AM

Hi all,

A number of years ago in response to some establishment "journalists" and others that endeavour to rewrite Irish history according to their own jaundiced right-wing eyes, the late Breandán Ó hEithir wrote a classic piece of satire that he titled The Gentle Black-and-Tan. I've added the lyrics below. I am trying to track down the air for this song, can any gentle and kind-hearted Mudcatter assist me?

THE GENTLE BLACK AND TAN
Breandán Ó hEithir

Come all you staunch revisionists
And listen to my song,
It's short and it's unusual
And it won't detain you long.
It's all about a soldier
Who has carried history's can,
Who dodged Tom Barry and Dan Breen
The gentle Black and Tan.

'Twas the curse of unemployment
That drove him to our shore.
His jacket black and trousers tan
Like a badge of shame he wore.
"Subdue the rebel Irish
And shoot them when you can!"
"May God forgive me if I do,"
Prayed the gentle Black and Tan.

The burning of Cork city
Was indeed a mighty blaze.
The jewellers' shops were gutted
Not before the spoils were shared.
Gold and silver ornaments,
Rings and watches for each man,
"But I only struck the matches,"
Said the gentle Black and Tan.

Croke Park and Bloody Sunday
Was our hero's greatest test.
The spectators on the terraces
Nigh impossible to miss.
With salt tears his eyes were blinded
And down his cheeks they ran,
So he only shot Mick Hogan
The gentle Black and Tan.

So take heed you blinkered Nationalists
Fair warning take from me.
If you want to live in safety
And keep this land at sea.
Take heed of our three heroes
Murphy, Edwards and Yer Man,
Who will sing the fame and clear the name
Of the gentle Black and Tan.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Gentle Black-and-Tans
From: gillymor
Date: 05 Apr 16 - 09:45 AM

It looks like it was written with the Tramps and Hawkers melody (also used on Barrack Street and Patrick Street) in mind.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Gentle Black-and-Tans
From: gillymor
Date: 05 Apr 16 - 09:54 AM

Tramps and Hawkers

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Gentle Black-and-Tans
From: MartinRyan
Date: 05 Apr 16 - 11:29 AM

Certainly fits Barrack Street as I know it.

Regards

p.s. In my experience historical jaundice is fairly catholic in its distribution, aright and aleft.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Gentle Black-and-Tans
From: MartinRyan
Date: 05 Apr 16 - 11:31 AM

p.p.s. Didn't Andy Irivine do a "Patrick Street" version of the seasong to the air?