Seventeen century
English satirical
ballad. With an infectious
tune that sounds like a mix between a military
march and a
merry go round, the song has survived the ages, and can be heard on the
BBC World Service every hour, on the hour. An instrumental of a verse is played after the announcer says
This is London, and is followed by the
BBC time pips.
The music was written in 1686 by Henry Purcell with lyrics by Lord Thomas Wharton, and became a popular rallying tune during the Orange Revolution of 1688. For a song that represents a very British institution, it has a rather bloodthirsty background.
Background
The song is a somewhat unkind parody of a generic Irish ballad, is fictiously sung by Irish nationalists who are celebrating the appointment of Richard Talbot, First Earl of Tyrconnell, to the position of Lord Deputy of Ireland by fellow Catholic King James II. His appointment concerned protestant part of Ireland, comprising of Scottish and English settlers, who fear that it is one step usurping the English army in Ireland and ultimately leading towards Irish independence. The tune at least was effective enough to rile the protestants into deposing King James II in the Orange Revolution.
The Original Lyrics
Yo brother Teague, dost hear the decree?
Lillibullero bullen a la
We are to have a new deputy
Lillibullero bullen a la
Refrain:
Lero Lero Lillibullero
Lillibullero bullen a la
Lero Lero Lero Lero
Lillibullero bullen a la
Oh by my soul it is a Talbot
Lillibullero bullen a la
And he will cut every Englishman's throat
Lillibullero bullen a la
Refrain
Now Tyrconnell is come ashore
Lillibullero bullen a la
And we shall have commissions galore
Lillibullero bullen a la
Refrain
And everyone that won't go to Mass
Lillibullero bullen a la
He will be turned out to look like an ass
Lillibullero bullen a la
Refrain
Now the heretics all go down
Lillibullero bullen a la
By Christ and St Patrick's the nation's our own
Lillibullero bullen a la
Refrain
There was an old prophecy found in a bog
Lillibullero bullen a la
The country'd be ruled by an ass and a dog
Lillibullero bullen a la
Refrain
Now this prophesy is all come to pass
Lillibullero bullen a la
For Talbot's the dog and Tyrconnell's the ass
Lillibullero bullen a la
The Orangeman Lyrics
This song, called the Protestant Boys, uses the same tune, and can be heard on Marching Day.
The Protestant Boys are loyal and true
Stout hearted in battle and stout-handed too
The Protestant Boys are true to the last
And faithful and peaceful when danger has passed
And Oh! they bear and proudly wear
The colours that floated o'er many a fray
Where cannons were flashing
And sabers were clashing
The Protestant Boys still carried the day.
What to hum if you don't know the lyrics
Nan-na na nah
Na nan-nan na nah
Nana na nah na nan-nan na nah
Nan-na na nah
Na nan-nan na nah
Nana na nah na nan-nan na nah
Nah nah nah na nan-nan na nah
Nah nan-nan na nan-nan na nan-nan na nah
Na nan-nan na nah na nan-nan na nah
Nan-na na nah
Na nan-nan na nah
Meanings
The origins of the nonsensical title are unclear, but it could possibly be Gaelic hammed up. The closest transliteration An lile ba léir é, ba linn an lá is the lily was clear and ours was the day, which could be a reference to the fleur de lis. The French had helped King James in his attempt to reclaim the crown.
A teague is a derogatory term for a native-born Catholic Irishman, coming from the now uncommon first name Tadhg.
Other Uses
Lillibullero is used by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as a regimental march. It was first used by the BBC for its World War Two era radio programme Into Battle.
Sample
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/learning/william/flash/lillibullero/lillibullero.shtml