news.stv.tv/west-central/264001-irish-re...op-40-singles-chart/

An Irish rebel song banned at football matches in Scotland under antisocial behaviour laws has reached the UK Top 40 Singles chart.

Roll of Honour, a song associated with Irish Republicanism, is currently sitting at 24 in the mid-week charts and is beating superstar acts including Rihanna, Ellie Goulding, Katy Perry and DJ Avicii.

The band, the Irish Brigade, were asked by supporters group Fans Against Criminalisation to cover the song to highlight their opposition to the Scottish Government’s Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communication (Scotland) Act.

Hundreds of fans have this week downloaded the track from iTunes in an effort to get it into the charts.

A statement on the Official Charts website read: "The Irish Brigade’s Roll Of Honour is set to climb into the UK Top 40 this weekend.

"Originally released in the '80s, the Irish protest song has shot to Number 24 due to a campaign by Celtic fans who are opposed to the Scottish government’s Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 being enforced."

In September last year a Celtic supporter was convicted after singing the song at a match against Dundee United. He was banned from attending football matches for three years and fined £600.

A statement from Fans Against Criminalisation (FAC) said: "FAC contend that it is a damning indictment of the Scottish political and judicial system that legitimate expression of political opinion and cultural heritage within the context of a football match is now enough to result in a criminal conviction.

"We urge the Celtic support to download this song to embarrass those who seek to criminalise us to demonstrate that we stand by those who are being arrested at their homes and dragged through the courts and that we will not tolerate the continual harassment of our fellow fans at the hands of Police Scotland."

A statement from The Irish Brigade, said: "It was an honour and privilege to be asked by Celtic Fans against Criminalisation to permit them to promote the song ‘The Roll of Honour’ to aid the funding of their campaign against the law that affects everyone with Irish roots or a love of Irish culture.

"Ballads have been an integral part of our culture and heritage from time in memorial and the role of the Bards and Street Singers holds a unique and honoured place in our history.

"Neither is the song a sectarian song. It is an historic, social commentary about one stage in a long freedom struggle that is still continuing but that now uses democratic paths and institutions that did not exist in the early 80s."

What does Irish republicanism have to do with kicking a bag of air about anyway?

Explain the missing link.

A recent collection of renowned Irish Republicans

It has nothing to do with football

What missing link

The link is at the top of the page , came from STV headlines today

feather wrote:
Is this not libel ?

Maybe I'm wrong

Unfortunately just another bit of sectarianism

I'll type slower .......

W h y w o u l d a n I r i s h r e p u b l i c a n s o n g b e s u n g a t a f o o t b a l l m a t c h?

W h a t i s t h e c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n f o o t b a l l a n d r e p u b l i c a n i s m?

Easier?

I would describe myself as a republican, (that admission alone is still technically enough to get me charged and imprisoned btw), but I can't stand football or knuckle-dragging sectarianism.

In fact, I consider it to Scotland's lasting shame that that bullshit still goes on here and pish like the OP fans it's flames.

You know fine that link was sarcasm designed to illustrate that Celtic FC has fuck all to do with Irish republicanism today.

this is the only football song that counts

feather wrote:
Saying that you are a republican is not enough to be imprisoned , don't be silly

I don't know what runs through your head , maybe you should adjust your post

Irish people have been oppressed for many years , so it's rather obvious that the song is sung in protest

Scotland want independence , but it is backward in the respect that there are people who are still oppressed in 2014 , I sure hope that if Salmond does get Indy that things will change for the better .

I find it funny that it has been banned at all , as it's not offensive in any way , I'm not so sure it would be in the charts if it was so offensive , strange that .

oh come on

This i not a good look for anyone

It does not matter if you are Catholic or Protestant of Athiest


Songs of an inflammatory nature are 'banned' for good reason.

Neil Lennon wasn't to keen when folk were having a go at him

feather wrote: These people care so passionately about Irish republicanism that they chose to live in Scotland. For generations. I can't see what the problem is...

scaltura wrote:

dawnbreak wrote:
I don't partake in the religon shit dawn

Neil Lennon has been attacked several times in multicultural scotland for no reason other than being Irish and affiliated with Celtic FC

My point about it being banned is the fact that it's banned for what ever reason or other , but it hasn't been banned from the charts , as in reality there is nothing that it should be banned .

I question the reason myself

I just find it sad because you, know , I know and the rest of Scotland knows these are sectarian songs sung to bring disharmony

dawnbreak wrote:
But surely , if it is fit to be played in the charts , it's fit to be played anywhere , which asks the question why was it banned , it's not offensive

scaltura wrote: Stoppit.

Being in the charts is just a reflection on how many have bought it. You don't need many nowadays to go top 40.

This doesn't mean it will be played on the radio or tv. Many songs make the charts that are not played in response..

I dunno if this one has been played or not though

dubmeup wrote:
Yup

but there have been many banned for being offensive

so.........................

scaltura wrote: So .................. as you pointed out yourself earlier poor fucks get killed, maimed and injured around Glasgow and beyond because of this moronic shite.
Don't even try to play the dumb innocent, no-one with a clue is anywhere near buying that.

Frankie cums
Things have moved on a tad since then. Most of the stuff I hear on the radio is edited now. They don't necessarily ban stuff now, they just opt to not play the track. After all, they don't have to. Unless it's playlisted by the industry.

feather wrote:
It's not an offensive song , but you can keep on banging yer drum if you wish

Yes your right there people have been killed , attacked and maimed in scotland due to their not so scottish herritage