What folk songs in Northern Ireland are accepted by both Catholics and Protestants?
December 42009
I’ve heard that ‘Fenian Record Player’ and ‘Auld Orange Flute’ are both loved by both communities, but what other songs are loved by both sides of the divide?
It does depend on your definition of folk songs I suppose as that can make a difference. There are many republican and loyalist songs which could be classed under the folk genre but neither would be acceptable to the other side.
Then take an artist like Mary Black who would sit under the folk genre and all her songs would be listened to by many people irrespective of their religion. The same would go for many other artists so really all comes down to what you mean by folk songs.
The Green Fields of France is a classic folk song sung by The Fureys and is about the first World War and would be very popular. The Band played Waltzin Matilda done by the Dubliners would be similar.
So hundreds of folk songs are popular depending on what is meant by folk songs.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
I think lots of songs are liked by both sides of the divide – and you know something, it’s not that much of divide anymore.
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December 4th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Something tells me the Loyalists would not like any song with "Fenian" in the name and the Nationalists wouldn’t like a song with "Orange flute" in the name :S I don’t know myself but that sounds very bizarre
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December 4th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Haha, I think whoever told you that wants you to go there and get beaten. Depends where you go really but its still a seriously touchy subject. I would’t get offended over it but I probably know of over 100 people who would take offence to sectarian songs.
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December 4th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Any folk song that is associated with one side will be detested by the other. There are many songs that are liked by both communities but that’s more because of the fact it’s good music than for political identities.
Not that much of a divide anymore? Hmmm… Peace lines are there for decoration are they?
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December 4th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
‘Danny Boy’ is a popular unofficial anthem in the north, its seen to be bipartisan.
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December 4th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Well there is a difference between Irish folk songs and sectarian songs.
I’ve never heard tell of ‘Fenian Record Player’ or ‘Auld Orange Flute’
An artist such as Christy Moore, would be popular with people here regardless of who they are or where they come from. Practically everyone would know ‘In the City of Chicago’ and ‘Ride On’ etc.
Belle of Belfast City is also something that would be well liked among everyone.
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December 4th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
It does depend on your definition of folk songs I suppose as that can make a difference. There are many republican and loyalist songs which could be classed under the folk genre but neither would be acceptable to the other side.
Then take an artist like Mary Black who would sit under the folk genre and all her songs would be listened to by many people irrespective of their religion. The same would go for many other artists so really all comes down to what you mean by folk songs.
The Green Fields of France is a classic folk song sung by The Fureys and is about the first World War and would be very popular. The Band played Waltzin Matilda done by the Dubliners would be similar.
So hundreds of folk songs are popular depending on what is meant by folk songs.
References :