I HAVE to say congratulations to the News Letter for kicking the ball into touch (to raise a pun) on the suggestion to the Norn lreland sporting fans, be it football, rugby or whatever, to consider the issue of having a new sporting, identifiable, Ulster anthem that can be sung with gusto and shared by all.
Without a question of doubt, anthems that have a political/historical reflection of one's country, for example, God Save the Queen/Soldier's Song to name just a couple in the world, are long past their sell-by date.
Anthems such as these are divi
sive, and definitely do not encourage support from the bona fide international citizens living in Ireland/Great Britain, their adopted homeland.
One has only to look at the football players of any country as they line up before the start of a game (England included), how many are singing in tune with their respective anthem being played? I can say without a doubt less than 50 per cent sing.
People can be satisfied with the country they live in, the standard of living they experience and the hospitality they get from its indigineous people, however that does not necessarily change (nor should it) them to be blind, worshippers of allegiance to some figurehead of state, or some anthem akin to a war chant.
Let us keep this topic alive.
Can I start the ball rolling with the suggestion of Danny Boy or the Bard of Armagh, a couple of tunes that I have identified myself with and Ulster, that have been accepted in foreign lands by every breed of humanity on this earth that I had the pleasure to meet.
Harry Stephenson
Kircubbin
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