I grew up in the six counties during the troubles. The term terrorist or terrorism is loosely bandied about and usually in the direction of the republican movement, without which, we would have been trampled into the ground. I can assure you from first hand experience that terrorism was rife during this period and it was all coming from the scum who are now hailed as heroes year in year out. The so called armed forces slaughtered and pillaged all before them and would have been a lot worse only for the IRA. And while I know that this is a debate about songs being sung at football matches, I just don't like the use of that word, as it only seems to be used against anyone who takes up arms against the English or Americans. I could go on and on, but I won't. Getting back to the songs and the green brigade, I have no problem with their choice of songs, but then again, I'm a product of the environment I grew up in. To each their own! On a different note, TET, there's a book in there somewhere. Very impressive writing!
I appreciate your upbringing in the 6 Counties has made you what you are and nobody has the right to try and change who you are
I was brought up in Easterhouse in Glasgow's East End in the early 60s and I grew up loving Celtic for the football they played and why wouldn't I?
Being a wee Catholic boy who's local team were European Champions and should have been World Club Champions why try and find anything else to look up to?
This was a period when the most recent troubles in Ulster were bubbling under and as a 6 or 7 year old I had no idea about what was going on or was about to transpire
I didn't know the songs being sung I had no idea what they were about
Easterhouse was probably one of the more deprived areas of out city and we didn't have our troubles to seek but we dealt with it much like people of Ulster
Getting back on point As I grew up I learnt about Irish history How the English treated the Irish I learnt the songs and grew to love them If I'm at a gig with like minded people I sing them But here's the point Me singing those songs in like minded company won't offend anyone Well my singing might but the songs won't
At football matches it's a different matter People can be offended Kids who are the future of our Club are laid bare to lyrics that they shouldn't be open to As a parent and grandparent I'd hate to know that any child connected to me was privy to such songs so I never take my grandsons as much as I'd love to
People will say Look at Rangers SEVCO HUNS whatever you want to cry them That's ALL they sing and spew their bile
Well my answer to those people is simple '2 wrongs don' t make a right and I couldn't give a flying f#*k what songs they sing at their hovel'
They have No other songs to sing that mean anything BOUNCY BOUNCY and Penny Arcade That's all they have left outwith their Sectarian crap
I'm not saying forget our Club's roots and who we are Just let's be mindful of others our own fans included
I can think of at least 50 Irish /Rebel songs that don't mention murder many of which I'd love to hear sung at Parkhead but never have
Back Home in Derry
Streets of New York
Helicopter Song
5th International Brigade
Only our rivers run free
Some say the Devil is Dead
Lid of my granny's bin
To name just a few and some very heroic and telling the history of Irish suppression
HH?