The Political Divide

Political song in Ireland provides a means of contesting local politics, forging social unity, maintaining ethnic division and fighting social injustice. Many traditional songs provide an alternative account of Ireland’s political history written by its people. Within a modern context, politics on the island of Ireland have become divided between ‘Green’ and ‘Orange’ ideologies. ¹ The division of Ireland (1921) has heightened this situation in Northern Ireland. Within this context competing ethnic, religious and political identities are often projected through song into the global arena for validation. The global movements of socialism, the Civil Rights Movement, and the American and British Folk Movements have also impacted on political song in Ireland. Consequently, many contemporary performers use protest song as a means of advocating social change, and as a tool of mediation between opposing communities.