BILLY McMILLEN Tribute. Slan Libh, written by Peadar Kearney

Billy McMillen, O/C of the Belfast Brigade, Official IRA was shot dead in the presence of his wife on 28 April 1975 by a man, now dead, who had a violent reputation and history. On that April day Ireland lost one of it's most dedicated Republican Socialist soldiers and activists. Billy McMillen's biography reads like a history of Republicanism during the period of his lifetime, for indeed he was instrumental in most of what happened during those years. A great and tragic loss. This song, originally written by Peadar Kearney in the early 20th Century, is a fitting tribute. "Slan Libh" is often translated as "Goodbye", but a more literal translation from the Irish would be "Health until we meet again". Rest in peace, Billy.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Billy
• McMillen
• Irish
• rebel
• songs
• Official
• IRA
• Brian
• Moore

[eyeries1]

1969203- I, on the other hand am a "Stick" as you say. I would go so far as to say that it is also a great tragedy that we lost many good "Provos". As Bobby Sands said "...all have something to contribute to the struggle" (Pardon me if that is not an exact quote, but we know what Bobby meant.) The various "splits" over the decades have cost Ireland far more than h have British or Loyalist bullets. Let us learn from the past and now work together despite old wounds. Beir bua.

[eyeries1]

Well said, a chara!

[1969203]

time for all socialists and republicans to unite to take on the big business and banker criminals who destroyed our country it is a tragedy that we lost a lot of great people through inter republican feuds we need to unite the people need us

[1969203]

i am a repubilcan all my life and i think the greatest tragedy was the split in the movement in1969 although i supported the provos i did support the sticks first icould see both points of view and i think it is a tragedy that we lost men like billy and joe mccann

[humanity1798]

They will return......

Workers awake unite and arise!!!

Our mission is still on a Workers Republic!

[stickyra1000]

Belfast Comand, comrade.

[stickyra1000]

@RoyalArch1798 Well said, comrade. I was at his funeral, proudly parading in my Fianna colours. I agree with you.

[smokinvibes]

very well said ,nice!

[RoyalArch1798]

I didn't know Billy McMillen, but I am writing this message to all Republicans out there who are fed up of being separate from one another, I am a member of Sinn Fein but I still find heroic and legendary names in those of Charlie Hughes, Joe McCann, Ronnie Bunting and all other Republican dead who in death are together but in life are split. We as comrades in the Republican tradition need to leave our baggage at the door and start to talk as to how we can end both Capitalism and Imperialism.

[humanity1798]

The man was before his time, a humanitarian, a sepretist ,socialist ,republican.

Who understood the policy of the lord and masters divide and conquer!!!

He was having non of that sickness.

And God did he pay the price.

But his philosophy lives on the unification of the country!!!