A little-known Rebel Song from Co. Cork. It is sung here by the great singer and bouzouki player Tim Browne
(Tadhg de Brun) from Kanturk, Co. Cork.
The song tells of events that occurred in Millstreet, Co. Cork, probably in November of 1920, when the Black and Tans were attacked in the town centre by the Irish Republican Army.
In July 1920 Col. Gerald Bryce Ferguson Smyth addressed the Black and Tans in Listowel, Co. Kerry instructing them to shoot suspects on sight and not to mind the consequences should innocent people be killed, as he assured them no Black and Tan or RIC man would be charged or named. This prompted a change in IRA policy meaning that from then on Black and Tans would be shot on sight without warning or call to surrender. As for Col. Smyth, he was shot dead by an IRA unit lead by Dan O’Donovan in a prestigious Private Club in Cork City late in 1920. O’Donovan said to him: “Smyth, you gave the orders to shoot on sight. Well, you are in our sight now, so prepare to die!”
