“Erin Go Braugh! (I)”
Description
"I'll tell you a story of a row in the town, When the green flag went up and the Crown rag went down." The Irish, though inexperienced, rebel against the English, and cause a captain to die of "lead poisoning." The leaders are hailed.
Notes
For background on the Easter Rising, its hopelessness, and its quick fizzle, see the notes, e.g., on "The Boys from County Cork"; also "James Connolly" and "Lovely Banna Strand." It seems almost typical that this song focuses on the bravery of the rebels -- and not their complete ineptness, poor organization, bad communications, and ignominous surrender after only a week.
The fact that most Irish songs of rebellion present pictures idealized to the point of falsehood may not be coincidence; it may show why the English and Irish never understood each other.
Peadar Kearney wrote Ireland's national anthem, "The Soldier's Song," plus "Whack Fol the Diddle (God Bless England)"; it would be no surprise if he wrote this song, but I need better documentation than I have. For more on Kearney, see the notes to "Whack Fol the Diddle (God Bless England)." - RBW
Historical references
- 1916 - Easter Uprising
References
- Silber-FSWB, p. 321, "Erin Go Braugh!" (1 text)
- DT, ERNGBRA2
- BI, FSWB321A