The history and politics of the English protest song

1972

Give Ireland Back to the Irish

Tune: Original
Lyrics: Paul McCartney
Composer: Paul McCartney

Banned by the BBC and ITA (yet reaching No.16 in the charts) this was an immediate response to ‘Bloody Sunday’, the murder of fourteen civilians (and wounding of twelve) by British soldiers in Derry/Londonderry. The British audience is told that their nation’s actions contrast with its otherwise ‘tremendous’ nature, reminded that if stopped on their way home by Irish soldiers they too would retaliate, and informed that it is hypocritical for Britain to proclaim freedom while Ireland remains unfree.

Cause: Nationalist | Republican
Theme: War and Peace | Freedoms | Rights
Addressed to: General Public | Political Elite
Target of Protest: Armed Forces
Proposal/Solution: Emancipation