We're still being tarred with the same brush

The problem with those defending IRA chants is that the "we're not talking about that IRA" argument doesn't work. It's the exact same argument Rangers fans use - "when we talk about * blood, it's the 19th century political group we're talking about!"

Different people will have different opinions on the relevance of, say, Boys of the Old Brigade to a Scottish football club in the 21st century, and that's fine, because the song is clearly and explicitly about the Easter Rising.

But you can't chant "Ooh ah up the ra" and then expect anybody to believe that you're talking about 1916.

 

I won't be changing what I sing anytime soon. Not to annoy the media or appease the English FA in the off chance we might get Premier League football one day.

Please Celtic fans educate yourselves on what our songs are about before you jump in and try to shoot down others. I know some tims and some huns that thought The Fields Of Athenry was bigoted song until I told them what the song was about.

 

People don't care if we are talking about 1916 or the modern forms of the Republican Army. Even Pat Nevin tried to claim that The Boys Of The Old Brigade was about the Provos. To try and support his debate.

If he thinks that he clearly isn't educated enough on the subject.

If I claimed that the Army from The World Wars were scum because of the British Army's actions in other wars and occupations. I would be called ignorant.

Its double standards at its finest.

 

Exactly my thoughts. We're only in the minority on the internet. Travelling to games, away games in particular, it is very clear that the Celtic supporters that sing these songs are in the majority.

Let the people sing.

 

That's a supprise!!!
One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter

 

Rangers supporters will probably find us singing "Oh the Rangers are *" offensive, should we stop singing that ?

Some Glaswegians will probably be offended by the ditties sung about them by the likes of Aberdeen and Hibs, should they be stopped ?

That's not generally what I associate the 'RA with but hey ho there you go.

Football is, or certainly was, a sport for the working classes.

Football and middle class sports like cricket and rugby are chalk and cheese (thankfully).

Well said TAB, that's ultimately the bottom line

 

I agree.

Neutral football fans shouldn't have to read up on history after hearing IRA chants at a game. They'll hear what's being said and jump to conclusions, like it or not. The people here saying "educate yourself" sound big headed and arrogant to me.
I have no problem with people singing songs or whatever in their own time but to stand and listen to it at a football game just sounds dumb and redundant.

 

I don't agree with add-ons or the mere chanting of 'up the Ra!' as it doesn't mean anything, songs such as BOTOB and Roll of Honour though, I have no problem with them being sung.

SelbyBhoy, nice to see you conveniently ignored my comment once again, thus summing up your little knowledge on the subject.

Let the People Sing.

 

I care. For that matter, so do a lot of other Celtic fans. And so, rightly, does the law.

But as long as you can have a good day out "singin the rebs" then none of that matters, does it?

 

I agree 100%

As I said earlier, I dont have anything against rebel songs but I do think it is funny that people are using the "educate yourself" argument to defend those singing these songs. I can hand on heart say that almost to a man the kind of people who sing these songs are most certainly NOT educated.

Now no doubt they may argue, that is because they dont subscribe to a formal British education or dont want to be brainwashed at school, etc, etc. But make no mistake. They types who sing IRA songs are simpletons looking for a rise from opposition fans. From experience they are also the type to go crying when Rangers fans called them "fenians", which I find very odd.

 

Wow, what an astounding way to describe fellow fans. Pretty shocking of you to just suggest that they are basically idiots singing for no reason! Most people I know that partake in these songs are pretty clued up on them. Terrible post.

 

Same here.

It's not just the stereotypical Teen singing these songs, it's middle aged guys who are well versed in Irish Republicanism.

Calling them idiots who are just at it for the wind up is an insult to their intelligence.

 

I find this post highly offensive. How does singing about Irish heroes make me uneducated?

Disgusting way to speak about fellow Celtic fans.

 

Don't worry Mystic, I'm staying well out of this one.

 

If it gets to the stage where it costs the club thousands of pounds or worse, Euro places, I think it's just childish to continue with banned songs.

There are so many fun songs which were pointed out to me earlier in this discussion plus, they make us look the better half

 

Sorry but I couldn't resist.
Does that include the other teams in Scotland ? If not then that means not a * on the british mainland.

Oops, I have never asked any Welsh ?

 

Seem to remember they tried a couple of times, and trying to think where most of the men who laid down their lives stopping them came from ?
Doesn't Britain try and have some wee silly tribute in their honour every year ?
That's right, the one that * some of our political diehard supporters off also.
Durty murdering * killed all those poor Germans.
Sorry, that's getting off topic.

 

I have utmost respect for all British soldiers who fought to prevent the spread of nazism, true bravery and they were heroes. I honour them with a 2 minute silence every 11th November. In this thread all I have done is defend the right to sing songs such as BOTOB, it isn't sectarian. The add-ons are daft and pointless, particularly seeing as most add-ons are ill-educated such as mentioning the 'provisional division' when singing BOTOB, a song about the Easter Rising. The angle you're getting at here is that you think I'm just a daft wee lad who thinks everything ever done by British troops is scummy. I have friends in the army, Celtic fans, but it doesn't mean I can't think that a lot of history about said organisation is disgusting. Thanks for insulting my intelligence though, much appreciated.

 

As an ex-soldier i have no problem with rebel songs (i have even been to see Wolfe Tones at the Barras with my dad and uncles!) and i have no problem with the IRA. They fought a war to free their land, maybe they made some dubious choices in that war, but then everyone did.
Mistake were made and things happened that were/are terrible.
This is not the place to debate the ins and outs of the IRA/PIRA.

I have family and family friends who were IRA and i have partaken to the odd 'sing-song' whilst blotto in pubs in Scotland and Ireland.

I couldn't give a * what people sing (although Up the 'Ra is a tad cringeworthy tbf) unless it's downright racist.
But that's the other mobs songbook, not ours.

We will always be lumped in with 'Them' - always. Even in Scotland it's the usual 'as bad as each other' pish.
In England (and no Penguin we are not universally hated down here neither are the Huns unfortunatly!) we are both labelled 'sectarian' by alot of people, and called the 'club with IRA connections' or the 'club who supports the IRA'.
That is damaging to our reputation in a way.
Not so much now as it was in the 80's when the mainland bombing campaigns were at their worst in England.
But then the Poppy 'protest' was also very damaging to our rep down here too.

There is plenty of support from neutrals for us down here - in fact those who are asked which team from the SPL they are most likely to look out for will answer Celtic.
We are such a brand and recognisable club it's easy. And that is great.
But we must be sensible not ruin things.

But yeah, sing BOTB and the likes, but 'ooh ah up the 'RA'? Nahhhhh :icon_mrgreen:

 

Excellent post, sums it up for me.