The band traces its roots some 19 years ago, when they played their first concert at the Squirrel Bar near the Gallowgate, Glasgow in 1989. They band brand themselves as the "Number 1 Celtic Band in the World" and have enjoyed a reasonable degree of success in this role, having played to audiences across the world including Glasgow, New York, Dubai and other cities in North America, Australia, Europe and all across the UK and Ireland.
The band's name is derived from the nickname for Celtic Football Club, which most of their music celebrates.The Celtic Legend, Billy McNeill gave the band the name. The biggest turn-out the band ever had was in Seville, Prado De San Sebastian. The only time the band appear in Glasgow these days is at the famous Glasgow Barrowlands venue twice per year, Good Friday and September weekend.
Bhoys past and present:
* Grease" - Jimmy is the front man of Charlie and the Bhoys and the writer of all the group's original material. Playing guitar, banjo and mandolin, he is supported by a guitarist and bassist.
* Frankie - Frankie joined the band in the first year they were formed. He played bass up until 2003 when he then moved on to guitar. Rarely travels due to work commitments.
* Kebab" - Rab (son of Jimmy Grease) joined the band in the year 2000 playing the bass on keyboards.
* Wardie - Wardie (Mick the Flute) plays flutes and whistles and has been in the band from the beginning when he joined as a 17 year old after moving to Glasgow from his home land in Ireland, Donegal. Now living in Benidorm, Spain and only flys in for The Glasgow Barrowlands concerts or big venues.
* Quinnigan - Tam Quinnigan plays guitar and is stand in for Frankie who can't travel too much due to work commiitments. Quinnigan is also the newest member of the band.
* Charlie - Now retired and living back in his homeland in Donegal, Ireland. Now and again makes an appearance.
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Charlie and the Bhoys Lyrics
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Don't make them have to take it away
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Make Ireland Irish today
Great Britian you are tremendous
And nobody knows like me
But really what are you doin'
Tell me how would you like it
If on your way to work
You were stopped by Irish soliders
Would you lie down do nothing
Would you give it to?
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Don't make them have to take it away
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Make Ireland Irish today
Great Britian and all the people
Say that all people must be free
Meanwhile back in Ireland
There's a man who looks like me
And he dreams of God and country
And he's feeling really bad
And he's sitting in a prison
Should he lie down do nothing
Should give in or go mad
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Don't make them have to take it away
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Make Ireland Irish today
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Don't make them have to take it away
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Make Ireland Irish today
The song "Give Ireland Back To The Irish" by Charlie and the Bhoys is a passionate call to end British rule of Ireland and return the country to its rightful owners. The opening verses speak directly to the British government, imploring them to relinquish their hold on Ireland and avoid a violent struggle for independence. The lyric "Don't make them have to take it away" suggests that, should the British refuse to comply with the Irish demand for freedom, the Irish may have to resort to forceful measures to achieve their goals.
The song also makes a point of highlighting the hypocrisy of the British government's stance on freedom and self-determination. The line "Great Britain and all the people say that all people must be free" is a clear indication of the double standards at play. The song's protagonist also compares the situation in Ireland to that of the British, asking how they would feel if they were stopped and oppressed by soldiers from another country. The implication is that the British should be able to see the injustice of their actions and do the right thing by returning power to the Irish people.
Overall, "Give Ireland Back To The Irish" is a powerful political statement that captures the struggle for Irish independence and the desire for self-determination. It is a call to establish a new Ireland that is truly Irish, free from the influence of foreign powers.
Line by Line Meaning
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Return control of Ireland to the Irish people
Don't make them have to take it away
Do not force the Irish people to resort to violence to reclaim their land
Make Ireland Irish today
Restore the sovereignty of Ireland and allow the Irish to control their own destiny
Great Britain you are tremendous
Acknowledging Great Britain's power and influence in the world
And nobody knows like me
Asserting personal insight and knowledge of the issue at hand
But really what are you doin'
Expressing confusion and concern over Great Britain's presence in Ireland
In the land across the sea
Referring to Ireland as a distinct and separate entity from Great Britain
Tell me how would you like it
Posing a rhetorical question to draw attention to the unfairness of the situation
If on your way to work
Using a hypothetical scenario to illustrate the reality of Irish life under British rule
You were stopped by Irish soldiers
Referencing the British army's presence in Northern Ireland during The Troubles
Would you lie down do nothing
Making a point about how the Irish people should not accept their situation passively
Would you give it to?
Challenging Great Britain to consider how they would react if they were in the Irish people's position
Great Britain and all the people
Referencing the UK's history of supporting human rights and national autonomy
Say that all people must be free
Asserting that freedom and self-determination are fundamental values
Meanwhile back in Ireland
Highlighting the discrepancy between rhetoric and reality in regards to Irish independence
There's a man who looks like me
Emphasizing the shared identity of the Irish people and their sympathizers
And he dreams of God and country
Describing the cultural and political aspirations of the Irish
And he's feeling really bad
Conveying the emotional toll of the ongoing conflict in Ireland
And he's sitting in a prison
Alluding to political prisoners and those who were interned without trial
Should he lie down do nothing
Posing a rhetorical question and encouraging resistance against oppression
Should give in or go mad
Highlighting the difficult choices faced by those fighting for Irish freedom
Contributed by Nathaniel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.