Joe McCann, performed by The Davitts

Joe McCann, Staff Captain Official I.R.A., was born in Belfast in 1947. He was active in Republican political and military activities from the age of 14. In the mid 1960s he was arrested and served a year in prison for Republican military activities. When violence broke out in 1969 against Civil Rights artivists in the north of Ireland Joe was in the forefront in thier defence, and in offece against the British Army. Joe was a true Socialist Rebel. He had no interest in preserving the artificial divide among the Irish Working Class that had been instituted and maintained by British Imperialism. His exploits in action were legendary. This song was written by Eamonn O'Doherty, well known Republican Socialist activist, author, artist, educator, architecht and sculptor. There is one error made by the singer in this recording of the song. The line should go "...he carried NO gun..." as even the British military admit that Big Joe was unarmed when he was shot down in Joy Street on 15 April 1972. He had been identified by Belfast Special Branch detectives who passed this information on to the Parachute Regiment of the British Army who shot him down. After he had been incapacitated he was shot ten times at close range while he lay helpless on the pavement. In his brutal murder the British Army paid him the highest compliment...he was too dangerous to be allowed to live.
I have just learned that this version of the song was recorded by a group called The Davitts. My thanks to them!
Also, I was proud to receive the other day a wee note of thanks from the children of Joe McCann for putting up this little video tribute. "A song can't bring them back again, a song can only keep alive the names..." All honour to his memory. We will never forget you Joe!

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[SONGUN007]

a naive question maybe but is this available on CD anywhere.Also is chief of staff

Cathal Goulding's oration at Joe McCanns funeral on the intenet anywhere ? These days the WPI dont say much about British imperialism in northern Ireland though they do talk about US imperialism unlike some others

[eyeries1]

@SONGUN007 Will send ye a message

[mackerstl08]

rip joe. lenged of the official ira. up the stickie!

[TheGreenandgold]

OIRA LEADER AND HERO TO IRELAND

[ira32upthera]

what a fucking song, rip joe up the fucking ra, we,ll meet one day,il sing you your song, ira

[BAZSLAVENovBRADFORD2]

@SONGUN007 it is on a 3 cd album called "50 greatest rebel songs" by "The Davitts" It's a fine collection of rebel songs and well worth a listen.

[sburns1997]

I Have no great love for the sticks but Joe was a good brave strong man and deserves his place among the gallant band of plunkett pearce and tone

[humanity1798]

Joe well done on your vision and insight into the 69 R C republicans psf. If you only new the lies they are spinning now they are looking for absolution!!!

[thegingermoma]

amazing and powerful.what more can be said.my mams from tipperrey.bless the irish

[Aristo94]

May God Bless Joe McCann!

For each Soldier we can write songs about,

hundreds of heroes die alone in the darkness, unseen, unremembered...

[08Hellboy]

R.I.P Joe McCann.