Why a 1960s Irish rebel song became a viral chart-topping anthem in 2020
In short: Dominic Behan’s Come Out, Ye Black and Tans is a biting satire of pro-British neighbors in 1920s Dublin. Though written decades after the Irish War of Independence, its defiant lyrics and catchy melody recently surged to the top of the charts, transforming a historical critique into a modern cultural phenomenon.
Written by songwriter Dominic Behan in the early 1960s, the song is often misunderstood as a direct account of the Black and Tans—the British forces who reinforced the Royal Irish Constabulary during the Irish War of Independence. In reality, the lyrics focus on a personal dispute between Behan’s father, Stephen Behan, and his pro-British neighbors in inner-city Dublin. The song uses the term 'Black and Tans' as a pejorative label for these local residents, who were often First World War veterans, regardless of whether they were Catholic or Protestant.
The composition draws on a complex musical lineage. Behan adapted the melody from an 18th-century air, Rosc Catha na Mumhan, which itself originated from a 17th-century Ulster loyalist song, The Boyne Water. This tune has traveled far, even becoming the primary melody for the traditional ballad Barbara Allen in the Appalachian Mountains. Behan’s lyrics serve as a broader commentary on the British Empire, drawing parallels between the Irish experience and colonial conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, such as the Anglo-Zulu War.
The song’s recent resurgence is tied to modern political tensions. In January 2020, a 1972 recording by The Wolfe Tones reached No. 1 on the iTunes charts in Ireland and the UK. This success was fueled by public backlash against the Irish government’s plans to commemorate the Royal Irish Constabulary as part of its 'Decade of Commemoration.' The song has since appeared in diverse contexts, from viral television moments featuring Steve Coogan to political campaigns, proving that its themes of identity and historical memory remain potent in contemporary Irish life.
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