Do all republicans/sinn fein supporters like the Wolfe Tones

[Tiernanator]

All through my years living in the north I have absolutely detested bar room republicans, mostly Celtic supporters who went to Wolfe Tone concerts and got bladdered and rowdy.. I just cannot stand the Wolfe Tones (sorry to anyone who likes them). What do other republican people think of this type of group. I do like Christy Moore though.

[sarsfield]

Did you not know that on joining Sf we get a: hit list of local politicians, a green book, some wolfe tones cds and a celtic top! We mnust then learn all the songs before we become full members.

[Seánod]

All through my years living in the north I have absolutely detested bar room republicans, mostly Celtic supporters who went to Wolfe Tone concerts and got bladdered and rowdy.. I just cannot stand the Wolfe Tones (sorry to anyone who likes them). What do other republican people think of this type of group. I do like Christy Moore though.

A lot of republicans I know, not "bar-room republicans" but who might occasionally go to a bar, actually are not too keen on the Wolfe Tones, seeing them as having profitted in some way from the conflict, while not being there to offer real support. I have no evidence one way or the other, but I actually think the Wolfe Tones are a good band in that area of Irish republican ballads. I like the fact that they didn't change their style/content just to get onto the airwaves.

In real purist terms, it wouldn't be the most skilled and complicated music that was ever performed in Ireland though. I like Christy Moore too...

[Leopold Bloom]

The following is a profound work of artistic genius and every true Oirishman worthy of the name should know its words off be heart:

Artist: Wolfetones, The
Song: The streets of new york
Album: The Wolfetones Greatest Hits
[" The Wolfetones Greatest Hits " CD]

I was eighteen years old, when I went down to Dublin
with a fistful of money and a cartload of dreams
"Take your time", said me father "stop rushing like hell
And remember all is not what it seems to be
For there's fellows would cut you for the coat on your back
Or the watch that you got from your mother
So take care me young buck-o and mind yourself well
And will you give this wee note to me brother"

At the time Uncle Benjy was a policeman in Brooklyn
And me father the youngest looked after the farm
When a phone call from America said 'Send the lad over'
And the ould fella said sure it wouldn't do any harm
For I spoent my life working this dirty old ground
For a few pints of porter and the smell of a pound
And sure maybe there's something you'll learn or you'll see
And you can bring it back home, make it easy on me

So I landed at Kennedy and a big yellow taxi
Carried me and my bags through the streets and the rain
Well my poor heart was pumping around with excitement
And I hardly even heard what the driver was saying
We came in the short parkway to the flatlands in Brooklyn
To my uncle's apartment on East 53rd
I was feeling so happy I was humming a song
And I sang you're as "Free as a bird"

Well to shorten the story what I found out that day
Was that Benjy got shot in a downtown foray
And while I was flyng my way to New York
Poor Benjy was lying in a cold city morgue
Well I phoned up the ould fella, told him the news
I could tell he could hardly stand up in his shoes
And he wept as he told me, go ahead with the plan
And not to forget to be a proud Irishman

So I went up to Nelly's beside Fordham Road
And I started to learn about lifting the load
But the healthiest thing that I carried that year
Was the bitter sweet thoughts of my home town so dear
I went home that December 'cause the old fella died
Had to borrow the money from Phil on the side
And all the bright flowers and grass couldn't hide
The poor wasted face of my father

I sold up the old farmyard for what it was worth
And into my bag stuck a handful of earth
Then I boarded a train and I caught me a plane
And I found myself back in the U.S. again
It's been twenty-two years since I set foot in Dublin
The kids know to use the correct knife and fork
But I'll never forget the green grass and the rivers
As I keep law and order in the streets of New York

[Bogwarrior]

Saw Christy Moore in concert several times as a neurotic, sexually frustrated teenager. I was also listening to Tracy Chapman at the time ffs.
I've noticed in recent years, it's become cool to hate the Tones. Maybe they have outlived their sell by date, but their music was enjoyed by tens of thousands for decades. Their concerts were always a fairly vibrant energetic affair, especially during the armed struggle Those old enough to remember the days of
A, Section 31 and B. No internet or alternative media source will remember the joy even a simple Rebel song would bring. I saw the Tones several times, and apart from the drunken, smelly armpitted guys waving their arms beside me it was quite good. I prefer their early albums mind.

[brenners']

I dislike the Wolfe Tones not particularly for their music but for the fact that they are money grabbing ************************ers who would be playing the Sash if they thought there was a bit of cash in it for them, they have as was rightly pointed out exploited the troubles and the movement without giving a sh1te about the politics involved, for them war was a nice handy niche to get involved with.
But there are some very good republican bands out there, Shebeen and the Irish Brigade being two of my favourite, some of us can manage to be quite active and pull of being bar room republicans at the same time you know!! And I agree, some of Christie’s early stuff that is on the “Spirit of Freedom” album is excellent, one of my favourite songs of all time “No time for love” is on that particular CD.

[Bogwarrior]

I dislike the Wolfe Tones not particularly for their music but for the fact that they are money grabbing ************************ers who would be playing the Sash if they thought there was a bit of cash in it for them, they have as was rightly pointed out exploited the troubles and the movement without giving a sh1te about the politics involved, for them war was a nice handy niche to get involved with.
But there are some very good republican bands out there, Shebeen and the Irish Brigade being two of my favourite, some of us can manage to be quite active and pull of being bar room republicans at the same time you know!! And I agree, some of Christie’s early stuff that is on the “Spirit of Freedom” album is excellent, one of my favourite songs of all time “No time for love” is on that particular CD.

Singing only Rebel songs for thirty years during the Section 31 period is hardly the sign of someone looking for a quick buck. They could've just went fiddle-de-dee like the Dubliners or The Chieftains and really rake it in. Anyway can a PSFer really call someone a money grabbing ************************er without a winking smiley emotion?

[anmajornarthainig]

I can`t stand them personally, give me John Beag Ó Flatharta or Liam Clancy any day. The reason is their style I think it`s desperate, that whiny voice, ballads being played at speeds that don`t suit. I find Christy Moore hit and miss.

[Defeated Romanticist]

I detest the Wolf Tones but I hold Christ Moore in equally low regard, particularly after he charged €25 for an anti-war concert. Wonder where the profits went.
So I'm one republican who doesn't like the Wolfe Tones.

[Outside_The_Line]

Rebel music never did much for me, so here's one Republican who doesn't like 'em.