Today's tune is from a fine night at The Barrowlands, Glasgow; a performance by Christy Moore of 'Vive La Quinta Brigade'.
1930's Ireland was split into sides resulting from the Irish Civil war and settlement. As you'll hear from the song, O'Duffy formed the 'Blueshirts', Ireland's fascist party, backed by the church and the rich and powerful. This group were to merge with others to form 'Fine Gael' in 1933, now currently part of Ireland's ruling coalition.
On the other side were a variety of left and Republican groups and Frank Ryan who would become commander of the Irish Battalion of the International Brigades.
In 1936, despite international condemnation, the Olympics were to be held in Nazi Berlin - a propaganda gift to Hitler and the International bankers who were supporting him.
In opposition, workers and left groups held an alternative, workers Olympiad in Republican Spain. Many thousands of workers from sports associations from across the world gathered in Spain. At that point, Franco, the Army, the landowners and the church organised a coup against the Spanish government, starting the Spanish Civil war.
The German and Italian sportsmen and women, in exile from their Fascist countries now had nowhere to go and formed the beginnings of The International Brigades, volunteers who assembled to fight Fascism in Spain. They were to be joined by The Abraham Lincoln Brigade from America, the Clement Atlee Battalion from Britain and many others from around the world.
During the 1970's and 1980's the banner of the British Battalion was always to be seen, prominently displayed at demonstrations as elderly Jewish Tailors, Irish Dockers, British Miners and Engineers assembled to celebrate their sacrifice in Spain.
This song commemorates the Irish Brigade and it's sacrifice;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQbXO828Vio
No Pasaran - They shall not pass.
Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment