One of my many favourite songs is "The Fighting Men of Crossmaglen".
Have searched for the background of this song, but haven�t found anything specific. Is it referring to the unrests in the 1969-94 or is it of an earlier date?

Is it a general tribute to the people of this border area considered to be a particurlarly bold breed of Armaghians?

As far as i know it's a tribute to the South Armagh Brigade, one of the most effective and successful IRA brigades in the last 30 years.

Read about them anywhere and you'll find words like "notorious" to describe them.

Gangsters, bandits, criminals...who gives a shit what they call us.

The term "Bandit Country" actually backfired on the Brits just as you say. The rebels took the name gladly and wore is as a badge, whereas it only served to unnerve the Brit troops who were already nervous by the Brigade's score.

Thanks Fianna and you other rebels.

"In Crossmaglen,
The fire burns true.
The patriotic flame will never die."

Are you all from Crossmaglen or are those lines valid for other places too?

Anyway, it is good to know more about the background of the songs - it adds alot to them.

Can�t think of any example when oppressors and occupants have shown respect to those opposing them so that�s what you can expect.
It�s not a bad move to transform their invectives into something positive.

Republicans have always turned bad situations around into our favour. But no, I'm not from Crossmaglen, I'm from Dublin.

Yeah, I suppose that line is valid for other places, though there's many places where the flame has almost gone out for good. Specially down here in the South.

Sl�n tamaill