The Easter Rising and Its Effect on Irish Literature and MusicFrederick C. Millett It’s the same old theme since 1916 In your head, In your head they’re still fightin’ With their tanks and their bombs And their bombs and their guns In your head they are dyin’ – The Cranberries, “Zombie” It is a date that will live forever in Irish history. A time of confusion and war – the Easter Rising of 1916 was an event that would redefine Irish nationalism in the twentieth century. Through the course of one week, the future of Ireland and their perception of independence were forever changed. Thus, it is easy to see how an event with so many historical implications could have such an impact on Irish literature. It seems to be a rite of passage for any Irish author, old or new, to write a poem, novel, or song about this tragic rebellion. From the great William Butler Yeats and the famous Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, to the contemporary poet Paul McCann, many Irish writers have written about the effects of the Easter Rising on Irish life. Even modern Irish musicians such as The Cranberries, Sinead O’Connor, and U2 have been inspired by this important piece of history. It goes without question that the Easter Rising of 1916 was an integral part of Irish history and has made a long-lasting impression on Irish literature and music. Preparations for the Easter Rising began in 1915 when rebel leaders from the IRB Military Council enlisted the aide of the Irish Volunteer Force (IVF) for the rebellion. With England busy fighting Germany in the First World War, the Irish leaders believed that “England’s difficulty is Ireland’s opportunity.” The original plans called for an insurrection in Dublin on Easter Sunday, April 23, 1916 with 11,000 Irish troops supported by German troops and munitions. Complications would later cause these plans to fail. Eoin MacNeill, one of the leaders of the IVF who opposed a wartime rising, was informed of the plans a few days before the rebellion and told his troops that the plans had been cancelled. The leaders of the IRB Military Council also found out that the ship carrying German aid to Ireland had been captured by the British. Despite these complications, the leaders were determined to go through with the insurrection and on Monday, April 24, 1916, the rising began.1 Among the more important aspects of the preparations for the Easter Rising was the writing of the “Proclamation of the Irish Republic.” This document declared to the people of Ireland that Ireland was 1 ” Another similarity is that both declarations place God above all government and assert that He will guide and protect their newly formed republic. or sniggered a little. The seven writers of the proclamation declared a free republic where they would set up and administer a Provisional Government.” a statement that meant certain death for all the signers if the rising failed. however.” The irony that this proclamation parallels that of the Declaration of Independence is in the fact that the American Revolution was a success while the Easter Rising was a failure. that all men are created equal. cherishing all of the children of the nation equally.free from foreign rule. that among these are Life. 2 . There were no wild hurrahs. the allegiance of every Irishman and Irishwoman. no scenes reminiscent of the excitement which had gripped the French mob before they stormed the Bastille. For example. and then glanced round to see if the police were coming4. This may be due to the fact that the Irish proclamation was written at a much later date (1916) than the American declaration (1776). that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. It mentions that the rising was not a sudden. The Irish simply listened and shrugged their shoulders.2 This is very similar to the following from the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident. “chilling. Its aim was to explain to the people of Dublin (and all of Ireland) the purpose of the rising and to gain support among the Irish. Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness3. spontaneous occurrence and that the Irish have fought for freedom for the past three hundred years. and oblivious of the differences carefully fostered by an alien Government. since it is very similar to the United States’ Declaration of Independence. The Irish proclamation. however. and hereby claims. The Irish proclamation is written to men and women of Ireland while the Declaration of Independence specifically mentions only men. The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty. The Declaration of Independence was an inspiration to the people of the United States to break free from English rule and wage a war of independence. in 1916 they were all considered traitors and executed by the British. It is rather ironic in the way this proclamation was written. according to the Irish poet Stephen McKenna. There are a few differences between the two documents. equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens. The response to the Irish proclamation read by Patrick Pearse was. and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts. Another difference was in the acceptance of the countrymen to each document. which have divided a minority from the majority in the past. They also mention the organizations involved in the rising and support “by gallant allies in Europe. is mentioned only in context to the Easter Rising and while the signatures on the document do represent Irish heroes today. The American declaration is one of the country’s greatest documents and its signatures represent some of America’s greatest heroes and patriots. the following is an excerpt from the Irish proclamation: The Irish Republic is entitled to. who was in Dublin at the time of the rising. he had to be strapped to a chair and shot. The idea at first among the people had been that the insurrection would be ended the morning after it had begun. the insurrection having lasted three days. and yet against the rising? It is considered now (writing a day or two afterwards) that Dublin was entirely against the Volunteers.000 Irish volunteers originally planned for. for had they been beaten the first or second day the city would have been humiliated to the soul. 1916 (less than two weeks after the insurrection was over) twelve of the Irish leaders of the rising had already been executed by the British. and they always fell. Ceannt. I said to myself. Even Stephens writes the following about his predictions for the post-Easter Rising Ireland: All this. In a letter that appeared in The 3 . Pearse. MacDiarmada. The insurrection in Dublin lasted a little over a week and cost the lives of 450 men (mostly British). the history of the Irish race is in that phrase.For being beaten does not greatly matter in Ireland.” Clarke. Connolly. Of the 11.. but on the day of which I write no such certainty could be put forward7. The Insurrection in Dublin. MacDonagh. but not fighting does matter. According to Stephens. and Plunkett. The events following the rising would soon change the face of Ireland forever. Before May 10. 8 As it turns out. 6 Stephens’ book.614 injured. and except for some newly filled graves. people are ready to conceive that it may last forever. were executed.000 British troops5 – the fact that this rising lasted as long as it did was quite astounding.. All seven writers of the “Proclamation of the Irish Republic. and they will be finished. who was so injured. Stephens’ prediction could not be more wrong. There is almost a feeling of gratitude towards the Volunteers because they are holding out for a little while. ‘They went forth always to the battle. As the poet James Stephens. life here will recommence exactly where it left off. leader of the Irish Citizen Army. all will be as it had been until they become a tradition and enter the imagination of their race. These 1500 valiant Irishmen fought close to 20.” Stephens writes about many people in Dublin who were going through life acting like nothing out of the ordinary was happening – many people felt this rising would be over in a few days and everything would go back to normal in Ireland. But today. there was much confusion in Ireland over the rising: “Was the city for or against the Volunteers? Was it for the Volunteers. Two more men were shot on May 12 including James Connolly.’ Indeed. only around 1500 showed up in Dublin. will be finished in a few days. gives a first-hand account of the Easter Rising and offers many suggestions to the attitudes of the Irish people at that time. with 2. writes: Meantime the belief grows that the Volunteers may be able to hold out much longer than had been imagined. He talks about Constance Markievicz and her “ignorant good-will” and Patrick Pearse and his friend Thomas MacDonagh. even though the day before the rising he may have been only a minor poet. However. Yeats questions the sacrifice of the Easter Week rebels. symbolizing that those who wish only for Irish independence will do whatever it takes to accomplish this goal – and will never change until that goal is complete. and wonders how much death will suffice in bringing Ireland its freedom.” Yeats begins his poem by explaining how ordinary and normal the Easter Week rebels were before the rising. While everything is changing in Ireland. and nothing in heaven or earth can prevent it. Yeats honors their courage and 4 . He later mentions that the world is changing all around him. inspired by the rising. “the stone’s in the midst of all.” which means that the perceptions of those who died will never change. He even talks about Sean MacBride. “a drunken. again opposed to Stephens’ belief. and beside the heros of Poland and Serbia and Belgium in Europe. What Yeats is doing in this third stanza is transforming the ordinary lives of the rebels he knew into the lives of myth and symbol.Daily News on May 10.” meaning that the rebels will never be forgotten.” Yeats then continues by explaining the lives of a few of the rebels before the rising. vainglorious lout” who married Yeats’ beloved Maud Gonne. In the final stanza. He compares hearts with only one purpose to a stone.” He goes on to write that Ireland had every right to fight for their freedom – and every right to accept aide from Germany. As he writes. Shaw even offers his own prediction for the future: It is absolutely impossible to slaughter a man in this position without making him a martyr and a hero. would write “Easter 1916” and further make the event unforgettable.10 Powerful words from Shaw – words that would later be proven correct. although public opinion in Ireland may have been against the rising.B. “minute by minute. He stated that. He questions whether Ireland will ever be free and if it is worth the fight. Yeats.” Yet “hearts with one purpose alone / Through summer and winter seem / Enchanted to a stone. changed utterly: / A terrible beauty is born11. The shot Irishmen will now take their places beside Emmet and the Manchester martyrs in Ireland. How he would pass them on the street and think nothing of it or exchange with them “polite meaningless words” – or even mock them behind their backs: “And thought before I had done / Of a mocking tale or a gibe / To please a companion / Around the fire at the club. who founded and ran a Gaelic school. the Easter Rising would change all these people considerably – from ordinary to extraordinary. “All changed. Although he may have disagreed with their actions. Months later the great Irish poet W. The Irish would never forget what happened after the Easter Rising and never forget those who lost their lives to fight for their freedom. “Was it needless death after all?” Yeats asks. no one accepts “the view that what happened was the execution of a gang of criminals9. Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw pleaded with the British to stop the executions. He refers to the dead as martyrs. changed utterly: / A terrible beauty is born. / Shot down in cold blood under a gray Irish sky by dark hands of the stranger. However. as can be seen by these lyrics: “Right proudly high in Dublin town / Hung they out a flag of war13.” By their deaths. proud. he finishes their transformation into Irish legend: “I write it out in a verse – / MacDonagh and MacBride / And Connolly and Pearse / Now and in time to be.12 The lyrics are very powerful and tell the story of the insurrection in Dublin. and valiant. It mentions again that “Ireland has seen the coming of a new day” which parallels Yeats’ statement that “all has changed. these men have become Irish heroes of independence – and wherever in Ireland one may be. This ballad would later become one of the most famous songs about the 1916 insurrection – later sung by Sinead O’Connor with The Chieftains. the lives of those otherwise ordinary men have been turned into lives of myth and legend. By completing the poem with the names of a few of the martyrs. The terrible events of 1916 have created a beautiful legend in Irish history – and the dreams of the Easter Week rebels will never be forgotten. see the Appendix). This is shown in the last lines of the poem: “But to and fro in my dreams I go / And I kneel and pray for you / For slavery fled.” this poem praises the men who died in the rising. who was born in Belfast. wrote the poem “The Easter Rising of 1916” in 1996 (see Appendix for poem). noble. / Wherever green is worn. The use of dreams by both Yeats and O’Neill further suggests that in death. / They claimed martyrdom14.” Similar to Shaw’s prediction and Yeats’ poem. this ballad refers to the men who died as heroes and legends. Contemporary poet Paul McCann. their names will live in history. referring to them as brave.” Similar to “The Foggy Dew. In 1919 a parish priest from Kilcoo.” However. In the version of this song sung by Sinead O’Connor (who has a very powerful. wrote the ballad “The Foggy Dew” about the Easter Rising (for lyrics. valiant men of dreams – who are an inspiration to the people of Ireland for freedom and independence. valiant. Canon Charles O’Neill. oh glorious dead / When you fell in the foggy dew. In the poem he talks about the brave men who fought and died during the rising. yet haunting. unlike Yeats’ poem. We can clearly see that the men who died during the rising have been transformed into immortal Irish heroes – even today people still remember their names and what they died for. the rising failed and we see that in the negative mood ending the poem: “And back through the glen I rode again / And my heart with grief was sore / For I parted then with valiant men / Whom I never shall see more. 5 .” The martyrs of the Easter Rising have become glorious.bravery. “The Foggy Dew” does not question the sacrifice of the Easter Week rebels. and glorious. The men who died during and after the rising are praised throughout the whole poem as fearless. / Are changed. The mood of the lyrics is very positive at the beginning of poem. as we already know. referring to the men as strong. showing that even today Shaw’s prediction about the executed leaders was accurate: “The brave few where taken and executed. and ready for war. Irish voice) we truly feel remorse for the men who died and the powerful and haunting lyrics are intensified by her performance. “How long must we sing this song?18” give the first sign that this song is 6 . The Cranberries. literature. Another definition of “zombie” is: “one who looks or behaves like an automaton. has written a song that makes references to the Easter Rising. the title “Zombie” could make a reference to the dead martyrs of the Easter Rising and other Irish rebellions. lead singer Delores O’Riordan expresses her views about the inhumanity of violence. War.” This may be a symbol of O’Riordan’s anti-war theme throughout the song. Off their third album. Northern Ireland in 1972 (for lyrics. released their second album entitled No Need To Argue.17 However. violence has been commonplace in Ireland. but as seen from the quote at the beginning of this paper.” He is referring here to the fact that the island is still split between the two countries and that fighting is still going on to this day. The lyrics. In 1994. but complete freedom is yet to be achieved.” although a better term may be legends. The martyrs of the rising may have inspired Ireland to seek freedom. and music – thereby making the rebels of the rising immortal. Zombie16” could symbolize O’Riordan expressing the mindlessness of violence. such as the lyrics “In your head they’re still fighting” suggest.” The title of O’Riordan’s song could then be a statement of how the martyrs of the Easter Rising will never be forgotten. In a way. The first single off the album. Also.” was arguably the band’s biggest hit (for lyrics. Even the most popular band from Ireland. aimlessly killing one another for no good reason.. War and violence in this world could make everyone behave like robots. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” is a song about “Bloody Sunday” in Derry.” It is interesting to see that after eighty years. The Easter Rising may have started the fight for Irish independence from England. According to the American Heritage Dictionary. however. it does make some references to the Easter Rising. The song mentions that since 1916. “Zombie. one of the leaders of the rising to die. U2. On January 30. It could be a question to Ireland asking why they are still fighting themselves and England after all these years. By transforming their lives into those of myth and legend. thirteen Irish civilians were killed by British soldiers while protesting against a new law passed in Northern Ireland. see the Appendix).changed utterly” – confirming Yeats’ belief that Ireland would never be the same after that important event. / but has not seen this nation one. can enter into and reanimate a corpse15. this song also shows signs of going back further in Irish history and talking about some of their earlier troubles. In the song. “zombie” is a term that means “a supernatural power or spell that . McCann even quotes Patrick Pearse. Ireland has reanimated those who have died for their independence through history. ends his poem on a rather dull note by saying: “the Easter rising of 1916 has entombed the spirit. when he proclaims that “Ireland unfree shall never be at peace. “What’s in your head. This is mostly an anti-war song.. the Irish alternative-rock group. but there are still many problems in Ireland that the rising did not fix. see the Appendix). McCann. The lyrics. those brave men that died in 1916 have become “zombies. the Easter Rising is still a vivid event in Irish history and much of the same principles are present in the literature. 1972. Also.000 Irish troops were supposed to meet in Dublin for the rising. they did not want an insurrection while England was at war with Germany. it could also refer to the original plans for the Easter Rising to take place on Sunday. see the Appendix for the poem entitled “Easter Rising”). From the “Proclamation of the Irish Republic.” written by Paul McCann eighty years after the rising. “I can’t believe the news today. who did not show up in Dublin because they believed the rising to be cancelled.” which was written by the Easter Week leaders for the Easter Rising.” could easily be interpreted as the news after the Easter Rising when the British executed all the leaders of the rising – although these lyrics are also referring to the news on January 30.” we see Ireland’s constant struggle with England throughout the years. It is quite obvious that without the events of 1916.” could have some connections to the Easter Rising. but only 1500 showed up. Irish literature has truly been affected by this tragic event in Irish history (to see my own contribution to the literature. so the title “Sunday Bloody Sunday” could refer to that tragic. 7 . April 23. This shows how the Easter Rising has never been forgotten – the men who died for Irish independence truly were heroes and were transformed into Irish myth and legend – and to this day it still contains the same powerful message as it did in 1916. It could also refer to some of the troops in the IVF under Eoin MacNeill. but the battle is not over yet – the real battle has yet to be fought. Even the title of the song. From modern Irish musicians as diverse as Sinead O’Connor and The Cranberries. Irish literature and music would have never been the same. Easter is usually associated with falling on Sunday. These lyrics tell the listener that Irish problems with England began much before “Bloody Sunday. “Puts my back up against the wall” could refer to the fact that although the Irishmen wanted independence. Even the lyrics beginning the song.more complex than just what is on the surface. “And the battle’s just begun” is telling the listener that Ireland has been fighting England for hundreds of years. 1972. Originally 11.” These lyrics are possibly explaining the reason why the original preparations for the insurrection failed. to the poem “The Easter Rising of 1916. bloody event that happened on Easter 1916. While the “Bloody Sunday” connection is obvious.” The largest hint of the Easter Rising in this song is in the following lyrics: “But I won’t heed the battle call / It puts my back up / Puts my back up against the wall. but tell me who has won / The trench is dug within our hearts. “Sunday Bloody Sunday. In the lyrics “And the battle’s just begun / There’s many lost. 1916. we see the same themes of the rising as we saw in the writings of Yeats and Shaw in the literature of the 1910’s. Yeats.reference. Available: http://www. 271 12.shtml 14. “Zombie. edited by David Pierce.shtml 6. 18 June 2004. 240 11.” The Insurrection in Dublin (1916).bbc.” The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language. 1916.com/proclamation.” The Daily News. 1916.” Written by Delores O’Riordan.bbc. Available: http://www. James.co. “The Background to the Rising. 238 9. Stephens.” The National Archives Experience. 8 . Shaw.” 20 June 2004. 18 June 2004.co. edited by David Pierce. From the Album War. “The Easter Week Executions. 19 June 2004.uk/history/war/easterrising/songs/rs_song06.” BBC Online.gov/national_archives_experience/declaration_transcript. Available: http://www.archives. Available: http://www. Paul. Available: http://www.uk/history/war/easterrising/insurrection/in03. Available: http://larkspirit.” The Insurrection in Dublin (1916).” BBC Online.” Written and performed by U2. 18 June 2004.” International War Veterans’ Poetry Archive.co. G. 2. From Irish Writing in the Twentieth Century (2000). p. “Wednesday. p. “The Easter Week Executions. McCann.html 5. performed by The Cranberries. “Songs of Rebellion. Fourth Edition. edited by David Pierce.html 4. Island Records. 18 June 2004. 1983. From Irish Writing in the Twentieth Century (2000). 20 June 2004. Wars & Conflict – 1916 Easter Rising – Rebel Songs.net/easterrising. Shaw. G.bbc. 1994. From Irish Writing in the Twentieth Century (2000). 10 May 1916. “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” Images of Ireland.shtml. References 1. “The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription.” The 1916 Rebellion. James. “1916 Easter Rising. Stephens. “Irish Proclamation of Independence.B.” September 25.” BBC Online. 236 8.uk/history/war/easterrising/insurrection/in01. 18 June 2004.Net.com/bloodysunday/ 18. Inc. 17. Island Recordings.1916rising. Stephens. 239 10. “The Easter Rising. Available: http://www. “Remembering Bloody Sunday. 10 May 1916.” The Insurrection in Dublin (1916).” BBC Online. “Wednesday. edited by David Pierce. From Irish Writing in the Twentieth Century (2000). From Irish Writing in the Twentieth Century (2000). Wars & Conflict – 1916 Easter Rising – Insurrection. edited by David Pierce. Avail: http://www.net/mccannp/the_east. James. “The Easter Rising of 1916. 19 June 2004. From Irish Writing in the Twentieth Century (2000). edited by David Pierce. W. p.shtml 13. From the album No Need To Argue.imagesofireland. Available: http://dictionary. 237 7.B. “Wednesday. Available: http://www. “The Foggy Dew. “Easter 1916. p.com/search?q=zombie 16. 2000.co.htm 15. p.iwvpa. 19 June 2004.” The Daily News. Wars & Conflict – 1916 Easter Rising – Insurrection.uk/history/war/easterrising/songs/rs04.bbc.B. “Zombie. Inc. p.html 3. Wars & Conflict – 1916 Easter Rising – Rebel Songs. .. brothers.. Sunday bloody sunday Sunday bloody sunday.... but tell me who has won For those who died that Easter-tide The trench is dug within our hearts In the springing of the year. And mothers.. sisters torn apart While the world did gaze with deep amaze At those fearless men but few Sunday. How long must we sing this song? No pipe did hum. 9 .. And I kneel and pray for you For slavery fled.we can be as one But to and fro in my dreams I go Tonight. bloody sunday And it’s true we are immune When fact is fiction and tv reality And today the millions cry We eat and drink while tomorrow they die The real battle yet begun To claim the victory jesus won On. bloody sunday Who bore the fight that freedom's light Sunday. Oh. Tonight. While Brittania's Huns with their long-range guns Sunday. and the requiem bell And the battle’s just begun Rang mournfully and clear There’s many lost. For I parted then with valiant men Whom I never shall see more ’Cause tonight. Did sound its loud tattoo But the Angelus' bells o'er the Liffey's swell ’Cause tonight. Right proudly high in Dublin town Broken bottles under children’s feet Hung they out a flag of war. bloody sunday Might shine through the foggy dew. Appendix The Foggy Dew Sunday Bloody Sunday Lyrics by Canon Charles O’Neill Lyrics by U2 As down the glen one Easter morn I can’t believe the news today To a city fair rode I...... oh glorious dead Sunday. bloody sunday Sailed in through the foggy dew. bloody sunday Wipe the tears from your eyes Wipe your tears away Wipe your tears away I wipe your tears away I wipe your blood shot eyes Sunday. children.. And back through the glen I rode again How long must we sing this song? And my heart with grief was sore How long? how long. I can’t close my eyes and make it go away Their armed lines of marching men How long. bloody sunday Sunday. How long. bloody sunday The bravest fell.. It puts my back up And from the plains of Royal Meath Puts my back up against the wall Strong men came hurrying through..we can be as one Rang out in the foggy dew. Sunday. Bodies strewn across the dead end street 'Twas better to die 'neath an Irish sky But I won’t heed the battle call Than at Suvla or Sud el Bar. In squadrons did pass me by.. bloody sunday When you fell in the foggy dew. Sunday.... no battle drum How long? how long. It’s a tale of brave and valiant men In your head they are cryin' Who fought many years ago. While Ireland holds these graves Ireland unfree shall Lyrics by Dolores O’Riordan never be at peace. Who are we mistaken But you see it's not me. If they should fall their glory in martyrdom would arise. Appendix Zombie From out of those graves Irish blood still flows. in your head Zombie We didn’t think too much of them What’s in your head. In your head they're still fightin' They had just 1500 strong With their tanks. And the violence caused such silence but has not seen this nation one. By Paul McCann In Dublin or in Donegal. child is slowly taken the Easter rising of 1916 has entombed the spirit. and their guns It’s amazing they lasted so long In your head. 2004) entombed themselves. Shot down in cold blood under a grey Irish sky by dark hands of the stranger. they are fighting Easter Rising With their tanks. the cause a gallant one. and their bombs But they put up a decent fight And their bombs. The brave few Irish patriots bowed down not to fear but stood up to their oppressors as they were called. It's the same old theme since 1916 But there was little celebration – In your head. In your head. They fought for freedom – to live in peace Another mother's breakin' heart is taking over That is what this rising was for. in your head “Ireland unfree will never be at peace. When the violence causes silence We must be mistaken They wrote a proclamation Declaring Ireland to be free. Jealous of the gold and silver. The brave few where taken and executed. Ireland has seen the coming of a new day. Zombie But then the British executed them – They’ll be heroes for evermore. in your head For bringing unwanted war. it's not my family In your head. and their guns In your head. We knew it’d end in misery. We now heed their valiant call The Easter Rising of 1916 In whatever place we may be. where gold lined the silver streets and shadows surrounded the post office. Millett And their bombs. Inside the post office a few men of high repute had (written on June 19. Another head hangs lowly. They claimed martyrdom. Greedy of that noble cause. and their bombs By Frederick C. a valiant heroic fight to the death. God under a pale Irish sky. 10 . In your head Freedom is all they cared for then Zombie And they died to let us know. in your head. in your head they are dyin' Considering their opponents’ might. What’s in your head. Their laws. Their names shall live in history.” Zombie In this belief they went to war. as strangers they dared to despise.