Take It Down from the Mast
Encyclopedia
Take it Down from the Mast is an Irish Republican song written by Dominic Behan
during the 1950s. Although it officially refers to the period of the Irish Civil War
(1922-23), it was written as a direct attack on those who acknowledged the Government of Ireland at the time of its writing.
The flag in question is the Irish tricolour, which the song tells supporters of the Anglo-Irish Treaty
and the Irish Free State
to take down, as it is the flag of the Irish Republic
, which they claim the "Free Staters" betrayed. The third verse references specific execution by firing squad during the Civil War. Among those named directly are Rory O'Connor
, Liam Mellows
, Richard Barrett
and Joe McKelvey
. (See Executions during the Irish Civil War
).
At the time, the Anti-Treaty IRA regarded their Civil War opponents as traitors and therefore unworthy to use the Irish tricolor. Many hardline Irish nationalists, such as the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA, continue to hold these views toward the modern Irish Government. Even today, it is not unheard to hear it being referred to as, "a British-imposed Dail." The Provisional Sinn Féin
Party and the Provisional IRA are far more discreet about expressing such views, however.
Take It Down From The Mast is still popular among Irish Republicans, particularly those who believe that the Anglo-Irish Treaty was a betrayal of the republican cause.
Dominic Behan
Dominic Behan was an Irish songwriter, short story writer, novelist and playwright who wrote in both Irish and English. He was also a committed socialist and Irish Republican...
during the 1950s. Although it officially refers to the period of the Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
(1922-23), it was written as a direct attack on those who acknowledged the Government of Ireland at the time of its writing.
The flag in question is the Irish tricolour, which the song tells supporters of the Anglo-Irish Treaty
Anglo-Irish Treaty
The Anglo-Irish Treaty , officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and representatives of the secessionist Irish Republic that concluded the Irish War of...
and the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
to take down, as it is the flag of the Irish Republic
Irish Republic
The Irish Republic was a revolutionary state that declared its independence from Great Britain in January 1919. It established a legislature , a government , a court system and a police force...
, which they claim the "Free Staters" betrayed. The third verse references specific execution by firing squad during the Civil War. Among those named directly are Rory O'Connor
Rory O'Connor (Irish republican)
Rory O'Connor was an Irish republican activist. He is best remembered for his role in the Irish Civil War 1922-1923, which led to his execution.-Background:...
, Liam Mellows
Liam Mellows
Liam Mellows was an Irish Republican and Sinn Féin politician. Born in England, Mellows grew up in County Wexford in Ireland. He was active with the Irish Republican Brotherhood and Irish Volunteers, and participated in the Easter Rising in County Galway, and the War of Independence...
, Richard Barrett
Richard Barrett (Irish Republican)
Richard Barrett was a prominent Irish Republican Army volunteer who was executed during the Irish Civil War in 1922.-War of Independence:...
and Joe McKelvey
Joe McKelvey
Joe McKelvey was an Irish Republican Army officer who was executed during the Irish Civil War. He participated in the anti-Treaty IRA's repudiation of the authority of the Dáil in March 1922 and was elected to the IRA Army Executive...
. (See Executions during the Irish Civil War
Executions during the Irish Civil War
The executions during the Irish Civil War took place during the guerrilla phase of the Irish Civil War . This phase of the war was bitter, and both sides, the government forces of the Irish Free State and the anti-Treaty Irish Republican Army insurgents, used executions and terror in what...
).
At the time, the Anti-Treaty IRA regarded their Civil War opponents as traitors and therefore unworthy to use the Irish tricolor. Many hardline Irish nationalists, such as the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA, continue to hold these views toward the modern Irish Government. Even today, it is not unheard to hear it being referred to as, "a British-imposed Dail." The Provisional Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
Party and the Provisional IRA are far more discreet about expressing such views, however.
Take It Down From The Mast is still popular among Irish Republicans, particularly those who believe that the Anglo-Irish Treaty was a betrayal of the republican cause.
Lyrics
- Take it down from the mast, Irish traitors,
- The flag we Republicans claim.
- It can never belong to Free Staters.
- You brought on it nothing but shame.
- Then leave it to those who are willing
- To uphold it in war or in peace.
- The men who intend to do killing,
- Until England's tyranny cease.
- You've taken our brave Liam and Rory,
- You've murdered young Richard and Joe.
- Your hands with their blood are still gory,
- From fulfilling the work of the foe.
- For we stand with Enright and Larkin,
- With Daley and Sullivan bold.
- We'll break down the English connection,
- And bring back the nation you sold.
- Take it down from the mast, Irish traitors,
- The flag we Republicans claim.
- It can never belong to Free Staters,
- You brought on in nothing but shame.