22nd Aug 2008
What’s a song?
The question of whether the Northern Irish soccer squad should change their anthem from God Save the Queen has reignited after the team’s fans were booed during last weekend’s this weeks friendly in Glasgow. One UUP MLA, Basil McCrea, has called today for a debate on the issue.
At so many levels one would think the case for a local anthem is a no brainer. The IFA has spent the past five years genuinely trying to grow participation and support from across the community. Significant steps have been taken to remove single identity flags and songs from the terraces. Good work and deserving of support.
The anthem has always been the elephant in the room. It needs to go if the NI squad genuinely wish to attract support from the nationalist community. We live in a place with one of the richest musical heritages in the world. Finding an existing song, or creating a new one like the IRFU did, should be a relatively easy thing to do if the will exists to move on.
My text from Barack Obama on his chosen running mate will arrive later. From the very first day his campaign has been revolutionising political communications. It’s cutting edge stuff built around an advocacy model and has to date allowed the voice of the many to compete with the vested interest of the few. That is something in a country where no money means no voice for candidates for public office.
The game was on Wednesday night. I was particularly proud of the NI supporters because rather than reciprocating by booing the Scots anthem, the majority actually sang along. I would support a unique anthem, although I do object to the disrespect accorded to GSTQ by Scottish supporters.