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After 800 years, it's now time for peace with the 'Saxon foe' |
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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 21 February 2007 |
THE national anthem debate appears to have brought the country to its feet. Yesterday, leading GAA commentator Micheal O Muircheartaigh added his own few bars to the cacophony over the playing of 'God Save the Queen' at Croke Park.
Mr O Muircheartaigh said he would not object to the British anthem being played at GAA headquarters before Saturday's Ireland v England clash.
He agreed that the wording could be more palatable to other nations but the wording of 'A Soldier's Song' was similarly militaristic. "If we object to the words of the English national anthem, we should have a look at our own just as well, and encourage all nations to do the same," he said.
"We're at peace with England, and anthems should reflect that."
The translation of Amhran na bhFiann contains references to the 'Saxon foe', among other militaristic phrasings. 'We're children of a fighting race/that never yet has known disgrace/ And as we march the foe to face/we chant A Soldier's Song.'
Mr O Muircheartaigh told Pat Kenny on RTE Radio: "Too much manifestation of blood thirst in some anthems. People are not aware of it, they say 'this is our anthem, this is based on what our past was'.
"It's time to have the present and the future."
Jason O'Brien
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