Our fine land in the possession of thieves

There's a long tradition of Irish protest songs. There are literally thousands of songs, and they all were on the theme of resisting injustice.
~Mick Moloney

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everybody!

Below is a song written by an Englishman in support of the Irish and an Irish song for two English children. People reaching across a divide to one another. Plus a "rebel song" (which the post title comes from).

Kate Beaudoin:

In 1981, English band the Police released this song, a tribute to the Irish. Lead singer Sting wrote the song while he was living in Ireland, when there were hunger strikes in Belfast. During the strikes, Irish Republican Army leader Bobby Sands died of starvation in a British prison. "I wanted to write about that, but I wanted to show some light at the end of the tunnel," Sting told Revolver. "I do think there has to be an 'invisible sun.' You can't always see it, but there has to be something radiating light into our lives."

The Cranberries with Zombie:



Óró, sé do bheatha abhaile (or Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile) is a traditional Irish song that came to be known as a rebel song in the early twentieth century. Óró is a cheer, whilst sé do bheatha 'bhaile means "you are welcome home". (Wikipedia)