Recently, a poll was launched by RTE, the broadcaster for the Irish Free State, to find the ‘nation’s’ favourite folk song. Rebel Voice is unsure if the 1.8 million Irish people in the Occupied Six Counties (OSC) are considered part of the ‘nation’ by the Blueshirts who command RTE as insidious moves are underway to […]
“As back through the glen I rode again And my heart with me fell sore For I parted then with valiant men Whom I never shall see ‘more But to and fro in my dreams I go And I kneel and pray for you For slavery fled a glorious dead When you fell in the […]
This is a beautifully poignant song about the terrible way many children were deprived of the chance to enjoy their youthful innocence. It speaks of the young boys who were sent down the mines from a very young age. Many boys were, perhaps, enthused with the idea of joining their fathers, and uncles and older […]
Here is an Irish ballad to get your spirits soaring. It speaks of the famous horse races at Galway that begin on the last Monday of July each year. It’s there that fortunes are lost and few if any ever made. There are fine ladies galore and drinkers and thinkers and stinkers and creeps. There […]
The famed Molly Maguires were a 19th century secret society active in Ireland, Liverpool and parts of the Eastern USA. They were organised among the Irish emigres who worked in manual jobs and were perhaps best known as the rebellious coal miners of Pennsylvania. In 1877-88, violent resistance broke out in Pennsylvania between the Molly […]
John Spillane is a renowned singer-songwriter from the beautiful city of Cork in Ireland. He is a popular constant on both TV and radio on the Emerald Isle. Here is one of his better known ballads. The lyrics in this track are poetry and when set to the haunting melody serve to take the listener […]
Here’s a popular song from the sweatiest troubadour in Kildare. Christy Moore has been performing for a very long time. He has been in various bands, from Planxty to Moving Hearts to The Bothy Band. He has also carved out a successful career as a solo performer, and more recently has toured with the virtuoso […]
Here’s a rousing Republican ballad to set you up for your day. This well known song was written by a Belfast man by the name of Paddy ‘Paddy Joe’ McGuigan, who was a member of the popular Republican folk group, Barleycorn. Paddy Joe died in 2014. He left behind many fine songs and they form […]
Here’s a timely ballad from a relative unknown, and up and coming star, of the Irish folk scene. If you like this, you can say that you heard this fine performer here first. If you don’t like it, then tell others that you heard it on the BBC… (ya gotta like his name if nothing […]
Many readers of Rebel Voice will know of Brendan Behan, poet, song writer, playwright and likable rogue. Fewer of you will be familiar with his younger brother, Dominic, who was five years his junior. Dominic Behan, who also went by his Gaelic name of Doiminic Ó Beacháin, was born on 22nd, October, 1918 and died […]
Here’s a folksy ballad from the Derry nightingale. Rebel Voice doubts that SOAK would appreciate being referred to in that way. She may identify better with a raven, falcon or chicken-hawk. We’ll let SOAK decide which of our feathered friends she most resembles. In the meantime, think baby ostrich or rhea or even kiwi. If […]
At one time Stockton’s Wing were a household name in Ireland. In many homes they still are, but sadly the popularity of folk music has declined of late due to the widespread promotion of manufactured cac. Yet every now and then DJs in the know dig out a classic track and it gets some airplay. […]
Rebel Voice 