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A number of songs were written in response to the hunger strike by artists and groups such as Christy Moore and the Wolfe Tones, including some songs based on the poetry Sands wrote. A few songs were written by Sands such as McIlhatton, a song about a moonshiner, and Back Home in Derry, a ballad about deportees. The British government has at times banned some of these songs. The H-Block Song had become an anthem of the Irish Republicans following the hunger strike.
Many Irish rebel songs focus on a person or persons viewed as a martyr, with themes of endurance, daring, loyalty, and the artistic, moral and intellectual qualities of the subjects. The notion of endurance has been associated with the belief that sufferers, rather than those at whose hand they suffer, will ultimately triumph in seen in the songs about the ten hunger strikers. In Bobby Sands, MP, Sands is portrayed as an artist and poet. The theme of sacrifice also plays a role. As Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones "A lot of our songs deal with Ireland's history, the many revolutions, the many heroes, its misty romanticism and its people, as well as the brutality of England's involvement in our struggle for freedom."
The Grateful Dead played the Nassau Coliseum the following night after Sands died and guitarist Bob Weir dedicated the song "He's Gone" to Sands. The concert was later released as Dick's Picks Volume 13.
The music video for the The Cranberries song Zombie shows a clip of a mural commemorating Sands (mins 2:05; 2:43; .
Songs written in response to the hunger strikes and Sands' death include songs by Black 47, Nicky Wire, The Undertones, Bik McFarlane and Eric Bogle.
Christy Moore's song, "The People's Own MP", has been described as an example of a rebel song of the "hero-martyr" genre in which Sands' "intellectual, artistic and moral qualities" are eulogised.
American rock band Rage Against the Machine have listed Sands as an inspiration in the sleeve notes of their self titled debut album and as a "political hero" in media interviews.
A list of the songs include:
Many Irish rebel songs focus on a person or persons viewed as a martyr, with themes of endurance, daring, loyalty, and the artistic, moral and intellectual qualities of the subjects. The notion of endurance has been associated with the belief that sufferers, rather than those at whose hand they suffer, will ultimately triumph in seen in the songs about the ten hunger strikers. In Bobby Sands, MP, Sands is portrayed as an artist and poet. The theme of sacrifice also plays a role. As Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones "A lot of our songs deal with Ireland's history, the many revolutions, the many heroes, its misty romanticism and its people, as well as the brutality of England's involvement in our struggle for freedom."
The Grateful Dead played the Nassau Coliseum the following night after Sands died and guitarist Bob Weir dedicated the song "He's Gone" to Sands. The concert was later released as Dick's Picks Volume 13.
The music video for the The Cranberries song Zombie shows a clip of a mural commemorating Sands (mins 2:05; 2:43; .
Songs written in response to the hunger strikes and Sands' death include songs by Black 47, Nicky Wire, The Undertones, Bik McFarlane and Eric Bogle.
Christy Moore's song, "The People's Own MP", has been described as an example of a rebel song of the "hero-martyr" genre in which Sands' "intellectual, artistic and moral qualities" are eulogised.
American rock band Rage Against the Machine have listed Sands as an inspiration in the sleeve notes of their self titled debut album and as a "political hero" in media interviews.
A list of the songs include:
- Back Home in Derry, by Bobby Sands, performed by Christy Moore
- McIlhatton, written by Bobby Sands performed by Christy Moore
- On the Blanket, written and performed by Mick Hanly and Christy Moore
- The Roll of Honour - Gerry O'Glacain (The Irish Brigade)
- Death Before Revenge - Pangur Ban
- The H-block Song, written by Francie Brolly
- The People's Own MP - Christy Moore
- Song For Marcella - Bik McFarlane
- 10 Years On - Blaggers I.T.A.
- Bobby Sands - Soldat Louis
- Bobby Sands - Meic Stevens
- Inspiration - Easterhouse: Written in honour of the hunger strikers, the sleeve for the release bore an image of Bobby Sands.
- Bobby Untitled - Nicky Wire on his album "I Killed The Zeitgeist"
- It's Going To Happen! - The Undertones: This song contains a "vague" appeal to Margaret Thatcher to reverse her position in the face of the hunger strike. Although the Undertones were reluctant to engage in politics, after the death of Sands in 1982, guitarist Damian O'Neill wore a black armband honouring Bobby Sands when the band performed on Top of the Pops.
- He's Gone - Jerry Garcia