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Despite a busy schedule Ray kindly took the time to tell Kerrydalestreet.com more about his work in this exclusive Q and A.
Can you tell us a little about how the book came about?
I was inspired to compile a Celtic supporters songbook after many journeys to Glasgow with the Mid Leinster Celtic Supporters Club (which is based in my home town of Tullamore in County Offaly) to support Celtic. Prior to the games there was a tremendous atmosphere in Celtic bars around The Gallowgate, The Gorbals and other parts of Glasgow. These premises would reverberate to the sounds of; The Celtic Song, Willie Maley, The Fields of Athenry, Sean South from Garryowen, The Soldier’s Song and many more famous Celtic and Irish anthems. The same atmosphere carried on to Celtic Park with great singing amongst the supporters. While listening to these songs and the atmosphere they created, my initial concept to compile a songbook was awakened. I began work on this project around 1997/8 and in 2001 I came in contact with Derek Warfield who was working on a similar project. We decided to work together and compile one songbook with two volumes.
My inspiration to compile a songbook also came from my friendship and contact with the Irish Diaspora living in Scotland, notably Glasgow. Their stories, songs and ballads greatly intrigued and entertained me. It was my experience over the coming years that I found the Glasgow Irish (Celtic Supporters) very proud and passionate about their Irish heritage and culture. As part of the Irish Diaspora living in Scotland their Irishness was first and foremost and their knowledge of Irish history and passion for Irish music in song and verse impressed me greatly, and still does.
The book is absolutely packed with information and detail. How difficult was it to research?
When I was researching the stories behind each song and ballad it was always a labour of love for me so I would never say it was difficult. Many trips were taken to the National Library in Dublin which was a great source to help with our research. I made many contacts with Celtic supporters around the world who also helped greatly. Tom McQuade (Blantyre) and Kate Currie Forbes (Toronto) stand out in particular. My co-author Derek has a library with a vast collection of historical books on Irish history which was a wonderful resource for us both. Browsing through such books was never a chore but a great pleasure. Finding some of the images which are included throughout the book was a tough task at times but thankfully it worked out in the end.
Did anything you and Derek uncover during your research come as a major surprise?
There was no real major surprise as both of us were familiar with the subject which we were researching although our work on The Great Hunger aka The Famine in Ireland was a real eye opener for me. Some of the stories relating to the conditions suffered by the Irish immigrants on the coffin ships going to America were heartbreaking. I must compliment Derek on his writing relating to The Great Hunger. Each song or ballad relates to a different story in Irish history or the story of Celtic FC so I was greatly intrigued by what I was learning along the way. Although not a major surprise it was not long before the Celtic & Irish connection became very clear to me and how club and county are inextricably linked.
What has been the general feedback to the book from the Celtic support?
To date we have received a very positive response from the Celtic support and Irish Diaspora worldwide. The book has provoked a lot of debate on the Celtic forums which is always a good sign. We are very grateful for the positive reviews which have been included in Celtic fanzines and websites. Celtic supporters around the world have also written reviews of our book which can be found on my website www.celticsongbook.com
How much do you think the average Celtic supporter really knows about some of the players, games and wider historical figures they sing about?
I found the Celtic supporters who I have met over the years very knowledgeable and passionate about the club, team, players and historical figures which they proudly sing about. Their knowledge of Irish heritage and culture continues to impress me. I must admit though that there are sections of the Celtic support that do show ignorance towards the songs and ballads which they sing about.
Both Derek and I would hope that the songs included in our book would help to inform, educate and bring knowledge and truth regarding the song culture amongst Celtic supporters. Both of us stand by every song and ballad included in our book. There are no sectarian, bigoted or racist songs included in our work and we would never stand by such songs.
There are few – if any – supports which have such a historical and vast repertoire of songs as the Celtic fans. Why do you feel this tradition is so strong among the Bhoys support?
The reason the tradition is so strong amongst the support is because the music, songs and ballads have been passed down from generation to generation by oral tradition. Over the years The Irish Diaspora living in Scotland have been very aware of the social and political issues of Ireland. Many of those social and political issues have been recorded in song and ballad and have been sung by Celtic supporters going right back to the foundation of the club.
How important do you feel these songs are in terms of the whole culture of being a Celtic supporter?
The songs and ballads are very important to the overall Celtic support as they keep our culture and heritage alive in its oldest tradition.
A lot of songs seem to have a limited time span as a favourite of the fans with the possible exceptions of ‘Hail! Hail!’, ‘The Celtic Song’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone". Even the ‘Fields of Athenry’ is now only rarely heard. Which once popular Celtic or Irish song would you like to hear more of?
I would love to hear The Soldiers Song sung at Celtic Park again. When I first went to Celtic games around 1990 The Soldiers Song was sung with great gusto and passion from The Jungle and throughout the ground. For me it’s the song which ultimately connects Celtic & Ireland and those in authority at Celtic Park should encourage the singing of Peader Kearney Irish National Anthem. I love to hear the chorus of Willie Maley especially during the magical European nights at Celtic Park and away in Europe. The Celtic Symphony in full voice is always something special while This Land is Your Land and Let the People Sing are two classics amongst the supporters.
Most supporters believe that the atmosphere at Celtic Park, with the exception of European nights, is a far cry from what it once was. Given the huge number of Celtic songs, why do you think that is?
I was recently at the Celtic V Aberdeen game on Sept 27 and I thought the atmosphere was very poor. I thought the singing section in the stadium was very good and they done their best to get the crowd going but unfortunately not. It was only at the latter stages of the match that the supporters got behind the team. This is not good enough.
I strongly feel that education is the key to inform those at Celtic Park regarding their policy of stopping the singing of some songs at home matches. This policy has certainly created an anxious and subdued atmosphere amongst the supporters. Many of the songs which the stewards stop the supporters from singing simply tell the story of true events in Irish history. I understand why the supporters don’t sing some of the songs as they fear they will be thrown out of the ground and banned from the stadium.
Now that sections of Scottish society and media are trying to create a parody between The Fields of Athenry (a historical ballad relating to true events during The Great Hunger aka The Famine in Ireland) and The Famine Song (an overtly racist, sectarian and bigoted song sung by Rangers supporters) more than ever we must educate and inform the lack of knowledge and ignorance of sections of Scotland’s society that racist songs and historical songs are poles apart.
I personally believe that the future of Celtic FC belongs in the English Premiership which in turn would create a wonderful atmosphere at Celtic Park at each home game. Celtic V Liverpool, Utd, Spurs, Chelsea is the way forward. I believe this move will happen one day and once again the atmosphere at Celtic Park will be like what it once was. If Celtic increases the capacity of Celtic Park it will have the biggest stadium in Britain. As the biggest club in Britain we would need to play in the English Premiership where with TV money and sponsorship we could then compete with the top clubs in England. Only then will Celtic ever have a realistic chance of winning The European Cup once again. If we want to be the biggest club in the world we have to think and act big. As I say this is my personal view.
Many of the songs you hear from the Celtic support these days are often generic throughout football. Do you fear the tradition of the unique Celtic terrace anthem is dying out?
I don’t think so as their will always be another Celtic hero or legend or event to sing about. The Celtic Story is constantly evolving and this in turn inspires the songs, ballads and anthems from the support. On a related issue the overall success of the Glasgow Irish bands and quality of the songs and ballads recorded in recent years is a compliment to all involved.
If you could only have one Celtic song on your I-pod what would it be and why?
When Saturday Comes Around by The Pilgrims is my favourite and a true classic. The song has a lovely melody and lyrics to match. It was written by the very talented Charlie Fealy and can be found on the bands album Granda Was a Celtic Man. Without doubt it is one of the finest songs ever written relating to Celtic FC and I highly recommend it.
While there are obviously many fantastic and rousing Celtic songs there has also got to be some stinkers. Are there any in the book which you thought "God, that’s awful!"?
To be honest I genuinely stand by every song in the book. Both Derek and I spent time on the list of songs to be included so quality came first. Over the years though I have collected many songs and yes some of them are dreadful.
Which current member of the Celtic squad do you feel deserves to be the subject of a song and why?
Aidan McGeady without doubt, because he is a Celtic legend all ready and a class act. When Aidan chose to play for Ireland instead of Scotland and the subsequent abuse which he receives at away games shows up the small mindedness of Scotland’s shame. The fact that the Scottish media in print and TV turns a blind eye to this racist abuse shows up sections of a society which is comfortable with its relationship with the cancerous shame of racism. Neil Lennon experienced the same racist abuse during his seven years at Celtic Park as a player. May there be many songs and ballads written about Aidan and Neil for years to come.
Have you any plans for a follow up book?
I am currently working on volume two of Celtic & Ireland in Song and Story with a lot of work completed to date. To help me with this project I would be very grateful for your assistance with the followng.
- Any old or new Celtic and Irish songs, ballads or poems
- Any stories or facts relating to each song or ballad
- Any stories relating to the song culture and tradition of Celtic Football Club and its supporters
- Archive images or photos relating to Celtic Football Club such as players, teams, fans etc
I am very open to suggestions regarding the content to be used in volume two so all input is well received. If you have any relevant information please send to songs1967@gmail.com
Hail Hail and God Bless.
Raymond Daly.