A chara, - In her piece on Seán O'Casey (February 28th), Violet O'Valle seems to be under the impression that his song The Grand Oul' Dame Britannia was pro-British and contributed to dislike and indifference to O'Casey in Ireland. The opposite is the case.
It is a satirical anti-recruiting song which was first published in James Connolly's paper, Workers' Republic.
Its lines include: "Ah Scholars, Hurlers, Saints and Bards!/Ses the Grand Oul' Dame Britannia/Come along and join the Irish Guards/Ses the Grand Oul' Dame Britannia./Each man that treads on a German's foot/Will be given a parcel tied up neat/A Home Rule badge and a winding sheet/Says the Grand Oul' Dame Britannia".
The air of this song was used by Seán Ó Riada for his Mise Éire film score. - Is mise,
MÍCHEÁL MAC DONNCHA,
Cill Bharróg,
Baile Átha Cliath.