The Night We Burned Ardoyne
Encyclopedia
The Night We Burned Ardoyne is an Ulster loyalist
song.
It refers to the events of August 1969 when there were large-scale attacks on Ardoyne
, a Catholic/nationalist area in north Belfast
, and many houses were burned out.
It is sung to the tune of "Forty Shades of Green
".
It has been recorded on CD by "The Blue Notes" and "The Thornlie Boys".
If the army hadn't came in to protect those men in green
Well they shouted all their insults they threw their petrol bombs and shots
But on the 16th night of August we should have shot the lot.
Do you remember Derry Auhgrim Enniskillen and the Boyne?
But still fresh in my memory was the night we burned Ardoyne
We chased those fenian
gunmen down Hooker Street they tore
And the song we sang and loved so well was "The Sash my Father Wore".
So remember all you fenians you rebels to the core
The next time you start trouble Ardoyne will be no more.
Now loyalists I beg you, please come and take a stand
Against this force of evil, against this papist band
For we will be victorious, we never shall be down
With Ulster's flag
still flying, the red hand and the crown.
Ulster loyalism
Ulster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom , support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries...
song.
It refers to the events of August 1969 when there were large-scale attacks on Ardoyne
Ardoyne
Ardoyne is an Irish nationalist, working class and mainly Catholic district in north Belfast, Northern Ireland. It gained notoriety due to the large number of incidents during "The Troubles". It is home to approximately 20,000 inhabitants...
, a Catholic/nationalist area in north Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, and many houses were burned out.
It is sung to the tune of "Forty Shades of Green
Forty Shades of Green
"Forty Shades of Green" is a well known song about Ireland. It was written by Johnny Cash back in 1961 while on a trip to Ireland. Contrary to popular believe, Cash did not invent the term 'forty shades of green', it had been used in Ireland many years before he wrote the song.He released it as a...
".
It has been recorded on CD by "The Blue Notes" and "The Thornlie Boys".
Lyrics
I have often thought and wondered what the outcome might have beenIf the army hadn't came in to protect those men in green
Well they shouted all their insults they threw their petrol bombs and shots
But on the 16th night of August we should have shot the lot.
Do you remember Derry Auhgrim Enniskillen and the Boyne?
But still fresh in my memory was the night we burned Ardoyne
We chased those fenian
Fenian
The Fenians , both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood , were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The name "Fenians" was first applied by John O'Mahony to the members of the Irish republican...
gunmen down Hooker Street they tore
And the song we sang and loved so well was "The Sash my Father Wore".
So remember all you fenians you rebels to the core
The next time you start trouble Ardoyne will be no more.
Now loyalists I beg you, please come and take a stand
Against this force of evil, against this papist band
For we will be victorious, we never shall be down
With Ulster's flag
Ulster Banner
The Ulster Banner, more commonly known as the Ulster flag, Northern Ireland flag or the Red Hand of Ulster flag, was the flag of the Government of Northern Ireland between 1953 and 1972. Since that government was abolished in 1972, the flag has become a symbol of Ulster loyalism and is not...
still flying, the red hand and the crown.