Music Appreciation
Related: About this forum'Come Out, Ye Black and Tans!' - Irish Rebel Song
- From the 1920s during the Irish revolution, Come Out Ye Black & Tans has become a popular song for the IRA.
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- 'Come Out, Ye Black & Tans' is an Irish rebel song referring to the 'special reserve constables' (mainly fmr World War I army soldiers), recruited in Great Britain and sent to Ireland from 1920, to reinforce the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) during the Irish War of Independence.
- Black and Tans & Auxiliaries outside the London and North Western Hotel in Dublin following an IRA attack, April 1921.
The composer pejoratively labels his Dublin neighbours, who are pro-British and WWI veterans ('show your wife how you won medals down in Flanders'). He calls them 'Black & Tans' and asks them to come out and 'fight me like a man', stating that the 'IRA' (Irish Republican Army), had made the Black & Tans 'run like hell away' from rural Ireland, 'the green and lovely lanes of Killeshandra' where in 1922, ex-RIC and Black & Tan soldiers were forced to flee after being given a few days warning to leave by the local IRA.
The lyrics reference the history of Irish nationalism, and 'links the Irish experience with other peoples struggles against the British Empire, from the Zulus to the Middle East.' There are variations of the original lyrics that incorporate references to more modern events in Irish nationalism, such as The Troubles...
(Ed.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Come_Out,_Ye_Black_and_Tans
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~ When I briefly visited Ireland one summer, mainly Dublin and environs it was a great experience. Highlights included the lively Temple Bar district with traditional Irish music and dancing, the charming, friendly atmosphere, the rich culture and history, and lush green land all around. I'd love to return, esp. after learning that I have some Irish heritage, a Celt!
https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/celtic-irish-symbols-meanings
mitch96
(13,817 posts)Apparently the Royal Irish Constabular needed help and recruited ex British soldiers for the work. The did not have "proper" uniforms so a RIC tunic and khaki British military pants were the order of the day.
When in an Irish Pub don't order a Black and Tan for obvious reasons (Guinness stout and Bass ale mixed) as it is a insult.. Order a half and half... And it will probably be with Harp or Smithwicks (Smith-icks) which are Irish red ale.. Bass is British.. Ok enough of the bullshit talk..
Time for a Guinness !
appalachiablue
(41,053 posts)about Brit Bass. Guinness signs were prominent on the buses in Dublin I remember, and drivers spoke well of them. That's natural since they're an institution and a major industry there. So here's to some tasty Irish ale!