Birmingham six

**Sun Jan 18, 2004 6:48 pm**

Birmingham six was banned for a while right ?

hmmm, heard that some where

**Sun Jan 18, 2004 11:43 pm**

A quick googling confirms a 'Yes'. Banned from commercial radio in Britain because 'The song alleges some convicted terrorists are not guilty and goes on to suggest that Irish people are at a disadvantage in the British Courts.' Or so said The Independent Broadcasting Authority.

Incidently, the page I found this on details a number of things censored or banned in Britain. The Pogues are in some interesting company here including Desmond Dekker, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Quentin Tarantino, Duncan Campbell, and (my personal favorite) Lulu. Indeed. That "To Sir With Love" of hers never fooled me...smut from start to finish!

**Tue Jan 20, 2004 11:47 am**

A few years ago the BBC did a programme on the top ten censored songs. "Birmingham Six" was on it, with some comment, and as far as I can remember the only other song banned for its politics was "God Save The Queen", the rest only for too much swearing or sex.

I don't know when or why the ban on Birmingham Six was removed, must have been when they decided to let Gerry Adams have his own voice.

**Fri Sep 03, 2004 8:53 pm**

The ban on Birmingham Six was removed when the court of appeal judgement released the Birmingham 6 from prison. As they were no longer "convicted terrorists" there was no longer a reason for a song about them to be banned. One of the English music papers quoted then Pogues manager Frank Murray as saying that the band were taking legal advice with a view to suing the IBA (Independent Broadcasting Authority) but I don't think anything ever came of it.

**Thu Dec 16, 2004 2:59 am**

Have anyone from Pogues ever made a comment on the song “Birmingham Six” before or after they where released?

**Thu Dec 16, 2004 10:42 am**

NME
19 November 1988
The Pogues fall from grace with government
"Pogues manager Frank Murray said he found the IBA (Independent Broadcasting Authority) decision "hilarious" and added: "I'm glad to see we're that important, that we're a threat to the State:" Murray said he never dreamed that the broadcast ban would stretch to the words of a pop song, but said that it would not affect the lyrical content of The Pogues' music in future. "We stand by everything we say in our songs, there is enough proof, particularly in the case of the Guildford bombers, that Irish people are disadvantaged in British courts of law. The Pogues will continue to write about what they want and we hope every other artist does the same."

The Lost Decade (by Ann Scanlon)
"It's about people getting framed up by the British system of justice, or whatever you want to call it," says Shane. "It specifically mentions the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four but there's also a verse about the eight guys who were recently done by the SAS. Basically, it's about anybody who's been locked up without any real evidence against them."

As far as I know Shane is acquainted with Gerry Conlon and Patrick Armstrong (both of "Guildford Four")

**Sun Jan 29, 2006 4:43 pm**

At the Manchester International gig in 88(?) ther were loads of nerds outside the venue dishing out flyers about the Birm 6 snd Guildford 4. It was the first piece of political literature I read.

The song is one of the heroes of IISFFGWG and the lyrics profoundly moving to an extent where I feel ashamed to be British.

Young Ned of the Hill has the same effect.

And Kitty.

**Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:31 pm**

Michaelo wrote:The ban on Birmingham Six was removed when the court of appeal judgement released the Birmingham 6 from prison. As they were no longer "convicted terrorists" there was no longer a reason for a song about them to be banned. One of the English music papers quoted then Pogues manager Frank Murray as saying that the band were taking legal advice with a view to suing the IBA (Independent Broadcasting Authority) but I don't think anything ever came of it.

Gareth Peirce, the counsel for some of the G4/B6, contacted us offering to take up our case, but our feeling was that any press attention that came our way as a result of a legal action against the IBA would necessarily remove focus from the 4/6 who were still, after their release, seeking justice for the lost years they spent in jail. Indeed, they still are.

However worthy or righteous our personal case was, we were, ultimately, a pop group who were silenced on one issue for a few years. It's not in the same league as spending 15 years in prison for something you didn't do, but the media attention would not necessarily reflect that proportionately.

By the way, I still, to this day, meet tossers who "know" someone who "knows" someone who "knows" that the Six and the Four "really were" guilty all along. If I have bought them a drink by this point in the conversation, it instantly becomes a valedictory draught, and they are lucky it hasn't ended up poured over their miserable, lying heads.

Ms Peirce is now representing several prisoners at Guantanamo and Belmarsh. She's a good lady.

**Sun Jan 29, 2006 8:34 pm**

Hmmm-youre on the right lines there inmy.... ! No need to be ashamed over something you have no intrinsic control.But if you are British why do you call yourself plastic paddy? Growing up in london I first heard this term in the late seventies(from cockneys or Irish born people)and have never understood it.The only plastic paddy I can think of is Dustin .

**Sun Jan 29, 2006 9:18 pm**

Well, I have a different take on it. Sorry, I'm not British, but I'm going to boldly step into your conversation and welcome Plastic Paddy to the club. I was welcomed to the club by a South African friend upon hearing the news that an American warship accidentally blew an Iranian airliner out of the sky, killing everyone on board. There I was surrounded by people from all over the world, and we all heard the news together (a youth hostel in Jerusalem, 1988), and all eyes turned to me. My friend turned to me and gave me a big hug and welcomed me to the club of thinking people who cannot help what their country does/did, but have to live with the stigma.

**Sun Jan 29, 2006 9:26 pm**

Stigma?Firstly ,you said it was an accident.Secondly,hugging YOU was no help to anyone involved.And you missed the point I was making.

**Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:01 pm**

St.Peter wrote:Stigma?Firstly ,you said it was an accident.Secondly,hugging YOU was no help to anyone involved.And you missed the point I was making.

I think the hug made him feel better (years of guilt from being South African -- he was there trying to escape military service). And, I think you missed Plastic's point. He has a right to feel what he wants.

As for the Plastic Paddy term, you all might be interested in this...

Philip Chevron said:

"No such thing as a Plastic Paddy. It is a racist concept dreamt up by some of those Irish people who could not be arsed to leave the island in search of a better life in America, Canada, Britain or Australia and supported by a British Imperial Establishment which thrives on the principle of Divide and Rule".

http://www.pogues.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1896&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=345

Also, I think that now some have adopted the term as a badge of honor.

**Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:44 pm**

HUGUENOT

Philip Chevron July 2005 Dublin and Westmeath
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome here, you dark-skinned stranger
and share these streets with me -
Leave behind the shadow of danger
Telling you that you ain't free.
That's fighting talk where I come from
Where ev'ry tyrant was defied
And ev'ry Coombe will have its Pride.

I can weave a coat
I can wind your clock
I can mend your boots
I can print your books
I can write your songs
I can make you well
I can weave your dreams
Bienvenue, bientot
I am a Huguenot.

It is as old as history,
This flight from poverty and hate,
And heaven help the refugee
Who's cast out from his Mother state.
But when the Cardinal's bonfires raged
and turned our village to an earthly hell
We were called here by the Christchurch bell.

I can weave a coat
I can wind your clock
I can mend your boots
I can print your books
I can write your songs
I can make you well
I can weave your dreams
Bienvenue, bientot
I am a Huguenot.

Ancient city on cobblestones
Songs and stories of worldly fame
From Weaver's Square to Mount Jerome
And skipping rhymes from Golden Lane.
But now these streets have new tales to tell
from George's Dock to Temple Bar
Stand up and tell them who you are:

I can weave a coat
I can wind your clock
I can mend your boots
I can print your books
I can write your songs
I can make you well
I can weave your dreams
The name's La Grue, you know
I am a Huguenot.
I can weave a coat
I can wind your clock
I can mend your boots
I can print your books
I can write your songs
I can make you well
I can weave your dreams
Bienvenue, bientot
I am a Huguenot.

**Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:46 pm**

My Huguenot ancestry makes me.......what?.......a Plastic Frog?? :shock:

**Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:54 pm**

Thank you Philip!!!

Dublin is quite an amazing place, isn't it? Quite a few people trying to cross the streets against the lights now (and nearly getting hit), and the fish and chips at Abrakababra wasn't the same with the Eastern Europeans cooking as it was by the Asians the previous year... our first day there, we got an earful of the new immigrant situation from Pete, the paper peddler at the Ha' Penny pub. Something about someone swimming in the Liffey, apparently trying to make his way back home.

I love the place. Tiger or no tiger.

Birmingham six

Birmingham six

from the upcoming Radiators 3rd album

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