Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast

Subject: Take It Down From The Mast
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 10:18 AM

One of the people that frequents the pub I perform at asked if I could find the words and chords to this song. He is not online but has heard me mention The Mudcat during my performances as an excellent resource and village. I told him that I would look for this one as well as one other that I will start a separate thread for. Thanks in advance, 'Catters. I know you will come through for me.

All the best,

Big Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: InOBU
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 11:46 AM

Oh Boy Mick, Here we go again, We share our musical tradition, and unlike the singers of the Agencourt Carol, we get flack. No real annoyance, it is the broken rib speaking, but anyway, with regards to our oppressors... at least it is not the Bogside Doddle Bug... here is a version I have heard for years, add as many more verses as you like...
Chorus Haul it down from the mast Irish traitors
It's the flag we Republicans claim
It can never belong to you Free Staters,
For you brought on it nothing but shame

You sold out the six counties for your freedom
though we've given you McCracken and Wolf Tone
And though good Ulstermen have fought for you in Dublin
still you watch as we fight on alone

You have murdered brave Liam and Rory,
You have butchered brave Richard and Joe
and your hands with their blood are still ruddy
for fulfilling the work of our foe

Then leave it to those who are willing
to uphold it in war and in peace
to those men who intend to do killing
until England's tyranny is ceased

I am blanking on more verses, if I think of any I will post them.
Slan Brother Mick
Larry

Eh mon amie, I am really pissed that you English keep singing that song about killing all our knights! Can you not let it rest! Only kidding, no offence Sean Bhi

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: Stewie
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 08:09 PM

The Battering Ram also sang:

We'll stand by Daly and Larkin
By the Provisionals and Sullivan the Bold
And we'll break down the English connections
And we'll win back the nation you sold

And up in Ulster we're fighting on for freedom
For our people they yearn to be free
You executed those men who fought for us
With a hangman from over the sea

The writer of the notes to album stated that in his research he could find no reference to 'Sullivan the Bold'.

For the second verse quoted above, they sang: 'And your hands with their blood are still gory'.

Cheers, Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: Barry Finn
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 08:22 PM

Hi Mick, there was a thread with this in it before, I'll try to find it for you. I sing at a weekly singing session with a former member of the Battering Ram (Shay Walker) in the past thread it was asked about an additional verse that they recorded I answer that in the thread. I'll go see if I can dig it up now. Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 08:28 PM

Thanks, buddy. I will wait.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: Barry Finn
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 08:34 PM

Found this Mick, you may want to go back to the original thread for more on this. Sorry still can't do the blue clicky thing. Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: Barry Finn
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 08:36 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish rebel songs Well Mick it would've been nice if I included what I found, no? Still daffy after all these years. Barry

From: Barry Finn Date: 28-Oct-99 - 01:33 AM

Hi Jack, Shay still sings with the same passion now as back then. That was the Battering Ram's only recording & as I mentioned Rounder has seen fit to rerelease it. The verse you're looking for was written by Shay's brother-in-law Sean Humston.

May Gog reward those gallant men, may heaven be their home T'was in Brookborough Town where they got shot down, in a cabin they lay cold They never feared the RUC or "B" men on patrol O'Hanlon from the border & South from Garryowen

Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 09:10 PM

Fascinating thread. That one guy added a marvelous bit of history. And here is the BLUE CLICKY THING to it. Thanks for the help, Bro. Is The Battering Ram available on CD?

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 09:15 PM

And the tune of course is Red River Valley, (though when I first heard the Red River Valley, I'd have been more likely to say it was to the tune of "Take it down from the mast"), and that's in the DT with a tune at the end of a blue clicky thing.

But I hope that when you sing it you make it clear to people that you're singing it as a historic song, about a stage in the struggle in Ireland which, please God, is done with.

That goes for the last verse especially - otherwise "the men who intend to do killing" is going to be taken as meaning you're siding with the Omagh Bombers, and rejecting the expressed wish of the people of Ireland. (Incidentally, that isn't at all the same thing as just disagreeing with that expressed wish, which is a quite arguable position.)

Did you see the New Year pictures from Derry? Lambeg drums and bodhrans playing together, and making a hell of a good sound.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: Barry Finn
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 09:26 PM

Yes, I believe Rounder has just rereleased the Battering Ram on CD. With the new Peace process Shay will no longer sing this song. Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 09:31 PM

As I stated, I am tracking this down for a gentleman at the pub. But I will pass on that the author of the song will no longer sing it. And, due to that fact, neither will my band.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: Barry Finn
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 09:39 PM

Hi Mick, I didn't mean Shay was the Author of the song, only that the version he sings (& recorded) has a verse he added that was written by his brother-in-law. Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: _gargoyle
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 09:54 PM

Spent half-an-hour searching....

There WERE posts in the past refering to the same...but cannot find them...under, "My Little," "Republican," "IRA," "Irish," or the other obvious connections.

I "swear" there was previous, very thorough post, or I would not know the misicule portion about it, that I do.

(never could have heard it, never could have learned it)

Because of the accord, are "THEY" hiding the threads?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 10:04 PM

Go click the link in my 9:10 PM posting.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Take It Down From The Mast
From: _gargoyle
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 10:13 PM

Mick...

A world of THANKS....

I KNEW such a thread, previously discussed, had existed...however no amount of MY research could uncover it.

Thanx again !

Your prior comments have been an education....greatly appreciated.