In the wake of last night’s anti internment rally some Belfast Felons Club Officials have taken to complaining about the fact that one of the marching bands stopped outside the premises to give the politics of the people behind the club a bit of Stick. What the club Officials found irascible was the playing of a tune that has great emotive resonance in republican history and folklore, Take it Down from the Mast. It seems to have been as well received as an electric shock.

There are few republican songs more potent than this for reminding those who have signed their names on the partition line that they can no longer lay claim to the mantle of republicanism. While it was initially used to goad the ‘Free State’, it was, post-1970, articulated into Provo tauntology and spat out in drinking clubs and marches as a means to rub it up the Official Republican Movement. Reworked, it ran:

Take it down form the mast Irish traitors
It is the flag we republicans claim
It shall never belong to the Stickies
They have brought on it nothing but shame

There is no doubt that on this occasion it was done purely to wind the Shinners up, to remind them that as they had, in a breach of Official copyright, taken on the Stickie crown, they could also take some of the Stick that goes with it. The late Dolours Price would have enjoyed the spectacle, appealing as she did on the Blanket, 'Take those down from the mast and save some of your dignity, Sinn Fein.'

There appears to have been no pre-planning, instead being a response to a facetious shout made by a marcher, himself a former internee, to play it. A spontaneous one off most likely, perhaps not to have a chorus at future events, it sure conjured up a risible image of people being caught out and knowing it.

Apparently some former internees were mortified that anybody could possibly treat them as they had once treated the Stickies. To make matters worse, they had their evening’s drinking disturbed by people who were wondering what any ex-internee would be doing boozing when there was an anti-internment march going by. At the very least those ex-internees among the drinkers might have been expected to come out and applaud the marchers. It is unlikely that any tune would have entered the repertoire had that happened.

I don’t want to complain too much about people doing other things while marches are going on because I didn’t go to the march myself. But spare us the crap about ex-internees being in the bar who by virtue of their one time sojourn in the internment camps are a privileged crew who must be spared from the normal political jibes and ribbing that lesser beings must endure. Paddy Devlin was an ex-internee but it didn’t stop the Provos picketing his house, accusing him of not backing the hunger strike.

While the thought of them standing there, Stick as a parrot, it was probably the most effective retort yet to Martin McGuinness’s traitors sleight which he hurled at republicans while he stood in the company of the leader of the British police in Ireland and the leader of British unionism in Ireland.

In Dublin today at a funeral the view was expressed to me that the cement holding the march together was probably anti-Sinn Fein sentiment. My response: then there is a lot of anti-Sinn Fein sentiment. The size of the march alone is evidence that the centre of republican gravity has found a new home in which to anchor itself, something that had to have penetrated even the most unremarkable of brains.

The offended boozers standing on the wrong side of the barricade can only stare and fume like their offended boozing forebearers who congregated in clubs such as Cyprus Street while republicans marched outside against injustice. What really Sticks in their craw is that one tune from the biggest republican march in years reminded them of what they had become.

Take it Down from the Mast

In the wake of last night’s anti internment rally some Belfast Felons Club Officials have taken to complaining about the fact that one of the marching bands stopped outside the premises to give the politics of the people behind the club a bit of Stick. What the club Officials found irascible was the playing of a tune that has great emotive resonance in republican history and folklore, Take it Down from the Mast. It seems to have been as well received as an electric shock.

There are few republican songs more potent than this for reminding those who have signed their names on the partition line that they can no longer lay claim to the mantle of republicanism. While it was initially used to goad the ‘Free State’, it was, post-1970, articulated into Provo tauntology and spat out in drinking clubs and marches as a means to rub it up the Official Republican Movement. Reworked, it ran:

Take it down form the mast Irish traitors
It is the flag we republicans claim
It shall never belong to the Stickies
They have brought on it nothing but shame

There is no doubt that on this occasion it was done purely to wind the Shinners up, to remind them that as they had, in a breach of Official copyright, taken on the Stickie crown, they could also take some of the Stick that goes with it. The late Dolours Price would have enjoyed the spectacle, appealing as she did on the Blanket, 'Take those down from the mast and save some of your dignity, Sinn Fein.'

There appears to have been no pre-planning, instead being a response to a facetious shout made by a marcher, himself a former internee, to play it. A spontaneous one off most likely, perhaps not to have a chorus at future events, it sure conjured up a risible image of people being caught out and knowing it.

Apparently some former internees were mortified that anybody could possibly treat them as they had once treated the Stickies. To make matters worse, they had their evening’s drinking disturbed by people who were wondering what any ex-internee would be doing boozing when there was an anti-internment march going by. At the very least those ex-internees among the drinkers might have been expected to come out and applaud the marchers. It is unlikely that any tune would have entered the repertoire had that happened.

I don’t want to complain too much about people doing other things while marches are going on because I didn’t go to the march myself. But spare us the crap about ex-internees being in the bar who by virtue of their one time sojourn in the internment camps are a privileged crew who must be spared from the normal political jibes and ribbing that lesser beings must endure. Paddy Devlin was an ex-internee but it didn’t stop the Provos picketing his house, accusing him of not backing the hunger strike.

While the thought of them standing there, Stick as a parrot, it was probably the most effective retort yet to Martin McGuinness’s traitors sleight which he hurled at republicans while he stood in the company of the leader of the British police in Ireland and the leader of British unionism in Ireland.

In Dublin today at a funeral the view was expressed to me that the cement holding the march together was probably anti-Sinn Fein sentiment. My response: then there is a lot of anti-Sinn Fein sentiment. The size of the march alone is evidence that the centre of republican gravity has found a new home in which to anchor itself, something that had to have penetrated even the most unremarkable of brains.

The offended boozers standing on the wrong side of the barricade can only stare and fume like their offended boozing forebearers who congregated in clubs such as Cyprus Street while republicans marched outside against injustice. What really Sticks in their craw is that one tune from the biggest republican march in years reminded them of what they had become.

27 comments:

  1. I was there last night in the company of Pauline Mellon and ex blanketman Sean Fitz,we were delighted this was played ,watching the beer soak clientele standing in disbelief made that long march enjoyable,our conservation went back to that dirty wet day Dolores Price was carried all the way down the Andersonstown rd to be laid to rest in Milltown,the Felons was still serving drink as the cortege passed by to their eternal shame.we speculated as you do, what we would do if we were to be in "control" we both agreed that this farce of a place would be closed with no appeal,a friend said to me on FB today that the founders would be spinning in their graves if they could see that this club had turned out to be profit before all else,I said to her they would be spinning alright but it would more than likely be the chambers of their revolvers,the felons was once an orange hall maybe giving the subservient attitude of the quisling $inn £eind leadership it may not be to long before they do take it down from the mast and hoist a norn iorn fleg.

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  2. Anthony,

    I must admit that this did raise a smile when I first read about it on Twitter. The outrage of Danny Morrison being the primary factor in initial thoughts relishing the pure mischieviousness of such an action.

    However, I'm not an ex-internee or former prisoner and have not be welcome in the Felons regardless for many a year. Though I do have many happy memories of plotting electoral/other shenanigans and celebrating their success inside. I've also enjoyed a few farcical 'selection' conventions that would make Zanu-PF rage against their anti-democratic nature.

    That said I know some republicans who would still drink within that bar. Decent men and women that despite remaining nominally within the provisional family are fine people with integrity and honour. Maybe not the majority of the patrons and holding sentiments they would not openly state inside the establishment in relation to me, yourself and many others (but who could blame them when the thought police are in the majority). There would be people that frequent it for comradeship and a sense of belonging - things that are desired by many - especially those that may almost be instituitionalised to that movement rather than active protaganists in it's current course.

    So my initial reaction of smiling at what seemed like a massive joke has since subsided. I have concluded that whilst the act was harmless and humourous, it will also have been received as an insult by some that didn't deserve ridicule.

    I'd watch all day if people were to poke Danny with metphorical sticks but think on this occasion the mockery of a broader corrupted ideal and movement will have resulted in great personal offence to a minority of patrons who didn't and don't deserve being targetted during mockery of a collective.

    The number of decent individuals who deserved more respect may be counted on the fingers of one hand. That still means some people I'm happy to call friends and who regardless of divergent paths retain their dignity and integrity were needlessly insulted during what at face value seems like a clever and spontaneous attack on a movement's failings and the most tedious and deceitful individuals involved in that movement.

    There are a few that endured this mockery who have and still hold out a hand of friendship when that is often at personal cost - the hilarity factor may be blinding some to the fact that they did wrong by a smaller group of creditable patrons during the shaming of the collective?

    Just a few thoughts. And it really is hard to criticise any action that raises the blood pressure of Morrison.

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  3. while i understand where you are coming from what i don't understand is this . what made you collaborate with the most anti republican journalist /writer that outside of Ruth Dudley Edwards and the operations of mi5/6 on the boston papers !!! so as a long standing republican who would have no truck with adams and the west Belfast bregrade or any of the maskeys with whom i went to school and when my brothers where in the crumlin road in the 50,/60,they would make a laugh of it etc, so lets be sure of this adams and his crew were stickies in the 60/70 and have remained so that is why sean mcstephon would not allow him into the army and treated him with distrust and by the way that also applied to cahill in conclusion mcguinness adams etall took it down from the mast a long time ago

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  4. Philip,

    thanks for commenting here. We will probably not agree on the BC project and I don't have the energy to try and dissuade you from whatever opinion you might hold: which of course you are entitled to hold regardless of what I might think of it.

    I guess it will be a matter of debate as to when they took it down from the mast. But there would seem there is little room to dispute that it is well and truly down now.

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  5. Kev,
    Reflective post. I take your point but I don’t think the tune was a protest against the drinkers per se but the power behind the club.
    I guess if people are caught up in it there might be resentment but I doubt if it was directed at them. So in that sense I don’t think they were being targeted nor should they see it as such. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time and if they weren’t outside they would hardly notice the insult or would have no strong reason to pay any real heed to it.

    But the marchers might wonder at how the patrons managed to sit in the club and did not even bother coming out to applaud an anti-internment march. I know with the thought police it is difficult.

    But I guess we will not see it repeated.

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  6. Anyone in that club last night should indeed feel insulted ,well I for one hope they did because they clearly would have been aware that the march was taking place, they would have been clearly aware what the purpose of that march was about ie internment and state abuse, or are they really that arrogant or stupid enough to think that it wont happen to them ,so fuck the rest of you , seems to me unlike any of the bars on the road the Felons needs to remember its history and a dose of reality will do it and those who patronise it a power of good, lots more decent ex pows have turned their back on this den than now frequent it Kev so to the few "decent republicans "who were in there last night maybe you should ask them why they felt that it was up to others to highlight human rights abuse by the bosses of their quisling friends.any insult felt by those inside that place may be a case of guilty conscience .. p.s I played football in that building when it was St Lawerences Hall.

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  7. I would say without a doubt , The tune was more than appropriate.

    Those within the Felons club should have come out and showed there support to this very Important March , lest they forget , they could be next to be lifted and Interned.

    I am an auld Republican, we were taught never go to Bars/clubs were Irish Rebel Music is played , "spies within", I just sit at home , put my headphones on and listen to The great and beautiful Voice of the late Kathleen Largey, This one would be appropriate to the Fellons Club clientele , "Were are the men who stood with me when history was made" , Sadly , any tune from the past , even "Men behind The Wire" , would fall on deaf ears in that Brainwashed place.

    If those within that club, just sat back and thought, WTF , A legal Republican Parade, and The UVF/LOL order thousands onto the streets to BLOCK it,UVF DRUG BARONS UNITE! and attack there own British Police Force!, those who state they are British,(Sorry to disappoint them) , they were born on an Island, Its Called , "IRELAND" , and there's nine counties in Ulster, Not Six.
    I don't forget being a sticky , I don't forget the threats and the hassle, The thumpings by a minimum of six so called men etc. I put that all behind me because I know better things are to come.
    Sadly , I will not be on this earth when the time comes for a complete and Unified United Ireland, Because, Tomorrows freedom fighters are still being educated.

    I clicked on the two links on this piece, "Twitter", MI5s dream machine, everything is recorded. I stay well clear of sites like that.

    I congratulate the organisers of the Anti Internment Rally, It was needed , Sadly Brain Washed SF Staters just sit back and complain and Laugh at it, Over what , A TUNE.

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  8. I don't understand how anyone who calls him/herself a republican was not participating in the march (well, I guess I do, as I can see why you were not a part of this, Anthony, the risk being far worse than the reward). I myself feel guilty not being there to support my friends who were interned and torturedd, and I live in the US, so it would have required a great investment of money and time, neither of which I posess at this moment, to participate. How is it that those already in Belfast chose to eat, drink and be merry, rather than commemorate this horrific time in Irish history?

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  9. Lauretta,

    I guess somebody from the Felons could have run out and thrown bottles at me while screaming 'traitor - support the Baton Men'. Back in the day, It was 'support the blanket men' not those who wielded the baton. But things have truly changed. We can see that much.

    Not going was totally unrelated to the issue of reward or risk. Had I lived in Belfast I would have gone. Down here, I had other things to do and as I get older I get lazier and less inclined to stretch myself. I don't recommend it but it's how it is with me. There are numerous events and protests I do not attend. I just hope I have not been found wanting when asked to highlight state abuses or attempts to erode the rights of prisoners.

    That's why I still hold a regard for those people who were in the jail with me, are about the same age and who seem to have boundless energy to immerse thsemselves in these type of events. These days I might not agree with their overarching perspective but they have stuck to their opposition to British injustice and they give of their time and energy, facing a lot of state harassment and villification in the course of doing so.

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  10. That was the perfect tune to be played. For Morrison to be miffed just highlights what it's like for a judas to have a mirror placed before him. Brilliant! As for Kev's comments about a few decent people guzzling pints in the fellons club and not deserving the tune, get real ffs.

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  11. Larry,

    while allowing for it I would not emphasize the point to the extent that Kev does. I have sympathy for any boozer wanting a pint and having the right to choose what they do on a Friday evening regardless of what I think they should be doing. as for these people who tried to bamboozle us with their peace process and sought to beat or shoot the dissent out of us when we were unpersuaded, they have been caught out. They can't abide by anti-internment marches because the fact that people have to march against internment is a serious indictment of the peace process. What change has the peace process brought? It has not changed the ability of the Brit state to intern. It has changed the behaviour of people who used to go to anti-internment marches and who now do not.

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  12. The song choice was appropriate, after all Gerry Adams used the occasion to tweet those marching were masquerading as republicans and we're the mirror reflection of loyalist sectarianism while he skulled pints at the festival. View his twitter page for the comments.

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  13. Mackers

    SF are parading today in Tyrone in honour of 'murderers' and 'traitors to IRELAND'. I'd love to see their RUC baton the heads off every one of them. However that would be a physical impossibility seeing how their heads are firmly up the RUC's arses.

    Honestly! How confused and pathetic are these SF gob-shites?

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  14. Marty,

    I can fully appreciate you being delighted at the tune being played. The tune Joe O'Connor got was from Handel's Death March: then the follow up lies, bullying and intimidation in a bid to stop people criticising the killing. They have a brass neck to complain. What hurt them most was not so much the singing but the cold harsh realisation that people will tell them what they are and they no longer control the streets with the authority to shout 'shut up.' The 'do you know who I am gang?' prompts the answer 'we do and we don't give a fuck.'

    When Joe was killed most people were understandably reluctant. Republicanism was being beaten into a corner by the greenshirts. And when the worm turns and the brute is forced to take its own oil, the whine of outrage rings shrill but shallow.

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  15. Marty,

    absolutely right. More than any other bar on the road it should have been to the fore of an anti-internment demo. But as Bowyer Bell observed, none more vindictive than a reformed gunman.

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  16. the felons club ignored brendan lillis in his hour of need.

    it's a money making venture for s.f.plc, not a shrine to republicanism nor a welfare asset to republican prisoners nor their relatives.

    true it's called "the felons", but "the tories" are still technically irish rebels in the literal sense and we know what they are like.

    brilliant march, the stewarding prevented it descending into a sectarian riot and to see so many people on the streets for a just cause done this 54 year old heart good. up the rebels.

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  17. Those people whom felt offended were likely guided by a conscience which is far from at peace. When a person is right, they no they are right and no amount of goading or abuse would shake the persons resolve or belief in what they support or the position their politics reflect.

    There are many march`s I wouldn`t attend but this one highlighting the continued use of internment by whatever name, was a march I had to attend. I left Ardoyne on the March with sense of pride and contentment. My Friday night would have been much different on a personal level, had I not attended. Wrestling with oneself can be a bugger, when all you need is a good sleep. I slept well and totally at peace with myself on Friday.

    The March itself gave me the chance to meet up with some former commrades and P.O.W`s. It was great to see so many of them but that was mixed with a sprinkling of dissappointment when there could have been many more in attendance. I made the journey in the company of a former cellmate, We had almost spent a year doubled up together, so conversation and laughs were not in short supply. It certainly helped distract from the disruptions in the town.

    At the bottom of the Newlodge we were greeted by large crowds clapping and cheering, it was the same recption at the bottom of the Falls, only a much larger welcome. There were all sorts of people there, SDLP members, members of SF, republicans who have been throught many more calendar years than me and I am sure there were those that were just curious.

    When Andytown was reached Dee got on the mike and asured us the next time the march would be bigger and better. I hope it will be,more bands, more people and no loyalist disruptions.

    I dont know Martin Corey or some of the others but I remember many of those that suffered this injustice throughout the troubles. We were all led to believe those bad old days were gone and a bright new start was to come with the GFA. Alas the picture being painted at that time has become weathered and unrecognisable. Just like Gerry Kelly when he stood on the police jeep at Ardoyne and appealed for calm and the good folks of Ardoyne to return to thier area. Croppie lay down.

    All said and done, the march made its point and done so in a peaceful and dinified way. Thanks to Dee Fennel, all those involved in its organisation and the stewards who done a great job in the face of much provocation.

    On a totally different subject. Does the rumour that Peter Robinson is stepping down as leader of the DUP and first minister have any merit?.


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  18. Reading the posts...those inside the club should have felt insulted??? Another adjective comes to mind...embarrassed. The tune played was probably the only thing to get them off the stool. They should board the place up, it has outlived it's usefullness

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  19. Well. I must have hit post before I intended. What I wanted to add was that Gerry and Danny have no business calling those who participated in the march "Stupidity masquerading as Republicans," who "demonise ex-internees" when they themselves have given up the republican mantle and daily demonise those who don't agree with them. While I am sure that there were those participants in last night's march who support a return to war, there were many others, like me, who do not espouse a return to physical force republicanism, but who are deeply hurt by the betrayal they feel from men who were supposed to be their leaders, but who have now turned their backs on the people they fought alongside, the men and women who gave up their lived for a United Ireland. Danny, Gerry and the like should have been there applauding those who were brave enough to call attention to Britain's ongoing human rights abuses.

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  20. The tide is turning slowly but surely and the likes of Morrison should dwell on the fact that one day Republicans will be reading about what he, Adams, McGuinness and the rest of the Kitchen Cabinet did behind the backs of dying men.

    Fuck them if they felt aggrieved, sure all this is happening while McGuinness is Deputy First Minister, and while Raymond McCartney is Deputy Chair on the so called Committee for Justice, which is meant to be overseeing how Justice is meted out here in the North.

    Sorry I didn't make it I should have tried harder to do so. Hopefully again soon as I believe this could inspire others to attend.

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  21. This is the 2nd time this year that Republicans by casting aside their differences have come together to send shock waves through the system and right up it's arse-hole to where the shinners reside.

    The first time was this years Bloody Sunday March when SF got mouthpieces, it has shackled to jobs, to ask people not to attend.

    Thousands turned out mostly under Republican banners.

    I firmly believe that Republicans should soon get together and organise a joint Hunger Strike Commemoration.
    Left in the hands of PSF it has become a yearly pantomime with various acts trying to link the shinners to struggles of the past.

    A point was made at a recent meeting held by the Bloody Sunday families who still seek justice...

    One of the family members said 'that the Brits couldn't split the families in over 40 years of campaigning yet PSF managed to split them in recent years.

    We need to be unified to achieve unity.

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  22. Lauretta,

    as Dixie alludes to, after what they did to the six hunger strikers it is clear they do not give one toss about internees or state abuse. When Adams sent Judas Goat into the jail on July 5 1981, the Ballyseedy of our republican era took place. Small wonder Take it Down from the Mast was so fitting. The change in consciousness has been long and slow but it is forever on the move. As their narrative on the hunger strike has been destroyed so too will their narrative on the peace process.

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  23. A very apt song played at the right place at the right time, and as Thomas so correctly put it embarrassed would be a more fitting word.

    Irrespective of anything would it have killed them to put their pints down for 2 minutes to come outside and show support for the prisoners?

    It pains me how many of those who went through the British penal system here in the occupied six counties and beyond are happy to now turn a blind eye and ignore what is happening, but then again their response to the plight of Brendan Lillis shows what you are dealing with.

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  24. Dixie

    You are of course correct, when you add. "We need to be unified to achieve unity". Not many years ago, republicans were unified. yes there were different factions but they did manage to push in the same direction. Back then injustice in whatever clothes it came in was opposed. Now however it appears that injustice on Irish soil by a BrUtish occupier is not enough to unify. Sometimes Dixie it takes a person/s to unify. I believe republicans are crying out for person/s to bring about the unity needed. I dont doubt that the people who could achieve this coming together, are out there. Why they are not stepping up is a ? for them. Any way Dixie, whenever I heard that Fennel lad speaking with zip to the crowd at the setting of point, I knew there was hope.

    Snowtorch

    The sound of the tune played outside the Felons, has been heard loud and clear by more than those within earshot.

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  25. Sinn Féin, the new free-staters.

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  26. “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
    ― George Orwell, Animal Farm

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  27. from Marty

    My spy,( which is different to tout I must say) inside Thatcher house on the Anytout rd was telling me that big Gerry Itwasntntme paid a visit the other day (must have been dole day) anyway after standing to attention to a rousing chorus of take it down from the mast he was tell all assembled ie., Bod doh Brains, Spike, and a rat named Dannybroy,about his recent anal examination,he said "when the doctor left the room the nurse came in and whispered those five words everyone fears".....she said "Who the fuck was that ?

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