For this week’s section, I would like to look at an international modern day broadside ballad. Played to the simple, easy tune this song is still predominantly sung in bar taverns, at sporting events, during festivals and any time a group of people come together in Ireland, with the sole purpose of eliminating and educating about social ills and injustices. This is as close to an authentic popular broadside ballad that one would have seen back in historical times. I also chose this particular song, because it represents what we are trying to do with our presentation: trying to unify a divided community.
During the Age of Enlightenment, there was a 30 year long war between England and Ireland, a bloody pursuit of dominance between warring factions of protestant and catholic monarchies to whom the victor would have the right to rule but also dictate the religion of its inhabitants. To explain this to an American, imagine how it would be like if America had no separation of church and state? Imagine if JF Kennedy winning the Presidency meant that everyone in America must convert to cat holism, or if GW Bush was allowed to dictate national religious programs for eight years during his reign? As one can expect, Ireland is extremely sensitive to religious tones because of this time period. Eventually, England (Protestant) conquered some of Ireland and secured it successfully. However, there were still a few rebels, as there are today, who are still fighting against English rule on Irish soil. The sentiments of the average modern Irishmen can be found in the Irish Rover’s “The Orange and The Green”.
The Irish Rovers are an Irish folk band located in Canada. Typically, they are one or two generations removed from Ireland, but are non-discriminatory. They were frustrated by all the violence in Ireland (where their families still are) and how little the dominant British-French culture was giving credit to their ethnic identity. Using common Irish folk songs, they wrote songs to express their frustration, to educate the masses, and to advocate for peace. Their songs are still rallying cries for the moderate Irish population located in Ireland and abroad. The band has played in many international festivals, and was chosen to represent Canada several times by various heads of State. They are still quite popular to this day.
Analysis of the lyrics:
Oh, it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen. My father, he was Orange and me mother, she was green.
*The narrator personifies Ireland today coming from mixed heritage: protestant (orange) and catholic (green).*
My father was an Ulster man, proud Protestant was he.
My mother was a Catholic girl, from county Cork was she.
They were married in two churches, lived happily enough,
Until the day that I was born and things got rather tough.
*This is symbolic of the beginning of the war. Protestants and Catholics “lived happily enough” when they were side by side in England and Ireland, separately. However, when Ireland’s monarchical lines were up for grabs the bitter war began over the ‘right to rule’.*
Baptized by Father Riley, I was rushed away by car,
To be made a little Orangeman, my father's shining star.
I was christened "David Anthony," but still, in spite of that,
To me father, I was William, while my mother called me Pat.
*David Anthony is a neutral name of Greek/Hebrew origin. ‘William’ refers to King William, the first ruler of England and Ireland after the English won the war. ‘Patrick’ refers to Saint Patrick of Catholic origin.*
With Mother every Sunday, to Mass I'd proudly stroll.
Then after that, the Orange lodge would try to save my soul.
For both sides tried to claim me, but i was smart because
I'd play the flute or play the harp, depending where I was.
*This is poking fun a bit at how divided Ireland is currently between north and south (aka, between protestant and catholic territories.*
(Now when I'd sing those rebel songs, much to me mother's joy,
Me father would jump up and say, "Look here would you me boy.
That's quite enough of that lot", he'd then toss me a coin
And he'd have me sing the Orange Flute or the Heros of The Boyne)
*This was omitted in many versions of their song, because it talks about how London benefactors tend to funnel money into Ireland “buying” up the press and politicians to control the Irish population.*
One day me Ma's relations came round to visit me.
Just as my father's kinfolk were all sitting down to tea.
We tried to smooth things over, but they all began to fight.
And me, being strictly neutral, I bashed everyone in sight.
*Even today, there have been terrorist activities related to this issue. On the one hand there are the Protestant Billy Boys, on the other hand there is the Catholic IRA. He’s saying that terrorism is not the way to go about settling the dispute and Ireland needs to come together to bash “everyone in sight” and fight off terrorism.*
My parents never could agree about my type of school.
My learning was all done at home, that's why I'm such a fool.
They've both passed on, God rest 'em, but left me caught between
That awful color problem of the Orange and the Green.
*He’s arguing that the reason Ireland is in as poor fiscal shape as it is today, is because of this religious-political feud. The war for Ireland maybe over, but Ireland still has to try to cope with the legacy of both sides.*
If you like this song, you may want to check out their site at:
