The Irish Famine Song "Defended"

Anti-censorship campaigners have stepped into the row over sectarian songs at football games.

A political storm erupted after Rangers Football Club fans chanted the ‘Famine Song’ during an Old Firm game last month.

The controversial song refers to the Great Potato Famine that killed over a million people in the 1840s and includes the lyrics “From Ireland they came. Brought us nothing but trouble and shame. Well the famine is over. Why don't they go home?”. Lyrics >>>

It sparked widespread outrage off the pitch and led to Irish diplomats making representations to the Scottish Government demanding they tackle the issue urgently.

Now however in the latest twist of the ongoing song saga, the Index on Censorship, one of the world’s leading repositories on free expression issues, has branded attempts to silence fans as a “dangerous” assault of free speech.

Irish-born Index spokesperson Padraig Reidy, said the matter should be handled by football clubs, not the Scottish state.

He said it was the Rangers fans’ right to insult the Irish over the Great Famine if they so wished: “Considering we all know that there have been nasty, offensive songs at Old Firm games for years, making it into a national issue seems absurd and dangerous. It’s trying to set a legal limit on speech that isn’t incitement to violence. Rangers and Celtic agreed themselves to sing what they want.

“It’s different to anti-discrimination laws, which are a very good thing, but seeking to outlaw any kind of insulting or offensive speech/songs does become very problematic, because someone will always take offence,” he said.

Mr Reidy said that while the song was undoubtedly offensive, behaviour at football matches should not be a state concern.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Sports Minister Gregory Campbell has written urging Celtic Football Club to do more on pro-IRA chants. with particular reference to Celtic’s visit to Fir Park at Motherwell and a recent pre-season friendly match at Southampton.

The East Londonderry MP, who turned down an invitation to Celtic Park, wrote to club chairman and ex Northern Ireland Secretary of State, John Reid, asking him to deal with the problem.

“It’s great to see the positive step that Rangers have taken to try and stamp out offensive songs and my letter to John Reid was an attempt to find out what Celtic has been doing to try and put an end to songs that support terrorist campaigns,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.

The Scottish Executive is working with Rangers and Celtic Football Clubs to lower sectarian tensions.

Story by the Belfast Telegraph >>

Irish Famine Song Lyrics >>

Irish Potato Famine Song : Rangers

The Famine Song "Defended">>

What the Hell is Gerry Adams on about ? >>

The famine song lyrics:

People love to make fun of each other and non-PC comedy is on the rise and thats awesome, but is the Potato Famine Song where we draw the line?

Some Stupid Rangers Football Fans have been singing this so called "Irish Famine song" song at an old firm game with words referring to the Irish potato famine in the 1840's. Rangers FC said it has asked its fans to stop singing the song.

"The famine's over, why don't you go home" is one of the lyrics that the song includes.

I don't like to offend people but I have posted my support of non-PC comedy but I am wondering if there is a fuzzy line here, or if there is a very clear cut difference between poking fun at someones race or sex in jest, or making fun of something like a famine, or disease.

Here are the Lyrics to the Irish Potato Famine Song if you are interested

I often wonder where they would have been
If we hadn't have taken them in
Fed them and washed them
Thousands in Glasgow alone
From Ireland they came
Brought us nothing but trouble and shame
Well the famine is over
Why don't they go home?

Now Athenry Mike was a thief
And Large John he was fully briefed
And that wee traitor from Castlemilk
Turned his back on his own
They've all their Papists in Rome
They have U2 and Bono
Well the famine is over
Why don't they go home?

INSTRUMENTAL

Now they raped and fondled their kids
That's what those perverts from the darkside did
And they swept it under the carpet
and Large John he hid
Their evils seeds have been sown
Cause they're not of our own
Well the famine is over
Why don't you go home?

Now Timmy don't take it from me
Cause if you know your history
You've persecuted thousands of people
In Ireland alone
You turned on the lights
Fuelled U boats by night
That's how you repay us
It's time to go home.

the famine song lyrics

What the Hell is Gerry Adams on about ? >>

The Famine Song "Defended">>

Please Leave a Comment...

Should I Include the Union Jack on my Tattoo ?

I have been pondering this for a while now,
here is my dilemma.

If a Canadian wanted to get a Maple leaf tattoo or a Canadian flag inked onto their arm, they would, and they would probably reap praise and approval from their peers. The same goes for an American, Australian, New Zealander or almost anyone else barring those nations that are in a bit of upheaval regarding their political situations.

But myself, as a Scot I want to get a Tattoo which includes the Scottish Flag, My family shield and the Union Jack. Why? Not because of any religious or political reason. I am not an "Orangeman" and I am not a fan of the Rangers football club. However I have been accused of being an Orange Rangers supporting Royalist in the past when I wore a shirt with a Union Jack on it in my home town of Edinburgh.

Yes I am Scottish, but does that automatically preclude me or anyone else from being British too? My passport says I am British, Scotland occupies about 1/3 of the island called Great Britain and the blue and white part of the Union Flag is mostly the Scottish saltire.

Sounds fine to me. However there are issues. Many Scots see the Union Flag as the English flag, either through ignorance or just because they prefer to label it that way out of some kind of traditional we-are-occupied-by-a-foreign-power kind of mentality.

Many English do it to, I have seen the Union Jack often alongside the name "England" for example in England's Barmy Army logos.

An English mate of mine also has a big fat Union Jack tattoo on his arm with the word "England" underneath it. I asked him, "Why didn't you get the English Flag on there?" his reply, "Eh? This is the England flag" It took the better part of an hour and several beers later to convince him otherwise.

So naturally I feel pissed off about this. I do not feel dominated by the English, after all both Scotland and England surrendered their status as sovereign countries back in 1707 at the same time to form a new country, Great Britain. Even if there were injustices ( and surely there were ) that was 300 years ago for gods sake. Can the Scots and English not move on?

At this moment, Great Britain is doing spectacularly well at the Beijing Olympics, with Scottish, Welsh and English athletes all competing together as ambassadors for our little wind swept island. It seems as though unity is possible indeed, yet I am still hesitant to get the tattooist to chuck a nice Union Jack on my arm as part of my tattoo. My family, friends, or anyone else who sees it will either quietly grumble about it, or ask "why the hell do you have that English flag on yer arm?"

Its a shame that I should have to worry about it, or feel the need to explain should a gripe occur.

I am sure a Vancouverite has never had to explain to a Nova Scotian as to why he has a maple leaf inked into his left arse cheek. And I bet a Texan has never felt the need to choose his words carefully while telling a New Yorker that he has some Stars and Stripes tattooed around his left nipple.

Anyway, that's all from muzzerino for the moment on this subject, I think after writing this blog post I have convinced myself, I am going to get that goddamn tattoo!

Go Team GB!