Celtic Symphony (Wolfe Tones song)

Celtic Symphony is a song by The Wolfe Tones,[3][4] written to celebrate the centenary of Celtic Football Club.[5] It has become a staple song for Irish nationalism and Irish sports teams which has led to controversy due to its lyrics.[6][7][8][9]

For other works titled "Celtic Symphony", see Celtic Symphony (disambiguation).

"Celtic Symphony"
Song by The Wolfe Tones
from the album Celtic Symphony
GenreIrish folk/rebel song
Length4:41
LabelHarmac Records
Songwriter(s)Brian Warfield and Derek Warfield[1][2]
Music video
"Celtic Symphony - The Wolfe Tones" on YouTube

Composition

The song was composed to celebrate the centenary of Celtic Football Club.[10]

"Ooh, ahh, up the RA"

The songs chorus features a reference to some graffiti with the words "Ooh, ahh, up the RA" - a reference to the Irish Republican Army.[11][12][13][14] Warfield said that those who are offended by the song are misguided about its intentions, and that it is a direct quote from graffiti he'd seen in Glasgow.[12][15]

Glasgow Celtic no longer associate with the band.[5]

Fans of the Republic of Ireland national football team sing an alternate version of the phrase - "Ooh ah, Paul McGrath".[16]

Popularity and use
The Wolfe Tones playing at Molly Malone's in Bayshore, NY

The song is popular among Celtic supporters.[17][18] Boxer Michael Conlan used the song as his entrance music,[19] and Sinn Féin politician Pauline Tully has used the song during campaigning.[20]

A band hired to perform at a Fine Gael party function in December 2002 played the song, and party leadership later denied involvement in the choice of band or set list.[14]

In March 2018, boxer Michael Conlan entered for his bout in Madison Square Garden with the song playing, and some of the crowd chanted "Ooh ahh, up the 'RA".[21] Some, including Northern Irish former world champion Dave McAuley, called for action from boxing regulatory bodies.[22][23][24] Conlan subsequently apologised for his "misjudgement" in using Celtic Symphony as his ring-walk music.[25]

In 2023 the Republic of Ireland women's national football team's sang the song in the dressing room following their play-off win over Scotland in Glasgow on 11 October 2022 to qualify for the 2023 World Cup. Subsequently the Football Association of Ireland, manager Vera Pauw and players Chloe Mustaki and Áine O'Gorman apologised.[26][27][28] Former international players Kevin Kilbane and James McClean defended the women's team.[29] McClean had previously played the song for his West Brom teammates.[30] Despite the apology the song reached the top of the iTunes chart in Ireland that week.[31][32][33]

Leinster played the song after a United Rugby Championship against Connacht on New Year's Day in 2023.[34]

References
  1. McGreevy, Ronan (12 October 2022). "Irish team being 'persecuted and bullied' for singing 'ooh ah up the 'RA', songwriter says". The Irish Times.
  2. Mallon, Sandra (6 March 2023). "Wolfe Tones Derek Warfield goes on rant after Irish soccer team forced to apologise for Up the Ra chant". The Irish Mirror.
  3. "Setting the Tone; What's Happening On The Country & Irish Music Scene". Irish Mirror. 24 August 2006. p. 5. Gale A149951571 – via Gale OneFile: News.
  4. Lannert, John (19 March 1990). "Musical Revelry". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Millar, Stephen R. (October 2016). "Let the people sing? Irish rebel songs, sectarianism, and Scotland's Offensive Behaviour Act" (PDF). Popular Music. Cambridge University Press. 35 (3): 302–305. doi:10.1017/S0261143016000519. S2CID 163254900. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 April 2019.
  6. "Nationalism's cultural sentiments in song or verse haven't gone away". The Irish News. 1 November 2022.
  7. Morrison, Samuel (15 December 2022). "Samuel Morrison: Troubling conclusions over how 'Up the RA' became acceptable".
  8. "Ireland grapples with singing of pro-IRA chant". The Guardian. 21 October 2022.
  9. "Joe Brolly: One song, two reactions – why is it different when the rugby boys sing Celtic Symphony?". independent.
  10. Doherty, Oisin (13 October 2022). "Wolfe Tones 'Celtic symphony' reaches number one after Ireland WNT controversy". Irish Mirror.
  11. Hughes, Ian (29 October 2015). "X Factor flop Wagner says he was 'tricked' into singing pro-IRA song in YouTube video; The Brazilian singer covered the Wolfe Tones' Celtic Symphony on his online account, complete with the controversial ending - 'oo-ahh up the ra'". Daily Mirror. Gale A433086440 – via Gale General OneFile.
  12. Hand, John (17 August 2022). "DUP crankies Tone deaf says singer". Irish Daily Mirror. p. 11. Gale A714092828 – via Gale OneFile: News.
  13. Barry, Dan (13 March 1996). "For Irish, a Mix of Pride and Discomfort Over the I.R.A.". The New York Times. Gale A150538510 – via Gale General OneFile.
  14. "Ballads cause surprise at FG party". The Irish Times. 21 December 2002. p. 12. Gale A95723893 – via Gale OneFile: News.
  15. "Wolfe Tones singer says those who criticise pro-IRA chant are 'cranks and unionists' following football video controversy" – via Belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  16. McGarry, Patsy. "'Up the 'Ra' rings out at Wolfe Tones gig trumpeting a version of Irish history". The Irish Times.
  17. "The best Celtic Symphony ever at Ibrox (18/09/2011) HD" – via www.youtube.com.
  18. "Celtic Symphony | Celtic vs Barcelona" – via YouTube.
  19. Dempsey, Andrew (5 March 2022). "Michael Conlan hits back at 'bigot' claims".
  20. "Shinner plays IRA song on election trail". Irish Mirror. 7 February 2020. p. 11. Gale A613337345 – via Gale OneFile: News.
  21. "Boxer Conlan criticised after pro-IRA chants". 18 March 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  22. "Call for boxer Michael Conlan suspension over ring walk song 'glorifying terrorism'". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  23. "Boxing chiefs must take a stand over ring walk songs after Michael Conlan controversy: McAuley". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  24. "'Up the Ra' chants at Michael Conlan's New York fight anger viewers". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  25. "Michael Conlan: Belfast fighter apologises over pro-IRA song at New York fight but he did it again with the song Grace". BBC. 10 May 2019.
  26. Reid, Kurtis (12 October 2022). "Watch: Republic of Ireland players apologise as video emerges of pro-IRA chant". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  27. "Republic of Ireland women: FAI and manager Pauw apologise for players' IRA chant after play-off win". BBC Sport. 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  28. Cuddihy, Kieran (12 October 2022). "Did the 'up the RA' chant tarnish the Irish Women's National Team's achievement?". Newstalk – via YouTube.
  29. Costello, Lee (11 October 2022). "Kevin Kilbane and James McClean among leading figures to speak out over rebel song controversy". SportsJOE.ie.
  30. Traynor, Mikey. "Celtic Fans Are Loving James McClean Blaring 'The Wolfe Tones' In WBA Training". Balls.ie.
  31. Reid, Kurtis (13 October 2022). "Wolfe Tones tune Celtic Symphony hits number one on Irish music charts following FAI video controversy" – via Belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  32. Carroll, Ryan (12 October 2022). "Scots cops launch probe after Ireland women's team filmed chanting 'Up the RA'". Daily Record.
  33. "Ireland iTunes Top Songs". kworb.net. October 2022. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022 – via Wayback Machine.
  34. "Leinster set to avoid any fine for playing 'Up the Ra' song at the RDS". Belfast Telegraph. 4 January 2023.
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