The Broad Black Brimmer

The Broad Black Brimmer is an Irish Republican folk song written by Noel Nagle of the Wolfe Tones.

The song narrates the story of a boy whose father died before he was born, fighting in the Irish Republican Army. The narrator is asked by his mother to try on his father's old uniform and as he does so, she tells his father's story. The title refers to the wide brimmed hat worn by many IRA guerrillas in the 1920s Irish War of Independence and Irish Civil War. Also referenced are a Sam Browne belt, britches, a trench coat and a holster - items of equipment commonly associated with the IRA of that era.

The theme of the song is Republican "unfinished business" from the 1920s - the cause of the dead father is passed on to his son. This is specifically related to the Irish Civil War of 1922 and to the subsequent IRA, which refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of either the Irish Free State or Northern Ireland states created at that time. Shortly after the narrator's father marries his mother, comes the "truce and Treaty and the parting of the ways" (split in the IRA). The father is killed fighting on the anti-treaty side. Each chorus emphasises that although his holster has been, "empty for many a year"... "when men claim Ireland's freedom, the ones they'll choose to lead 'em will wear the broad black brimmer of the IRA". Moreover, at the line about holster being empty, in many versions the line "but not for long" is added.

Because it specifically takes the Republican view of the Civil War and looks forward to a resumption of armed actions and to an Ireland led by the IRA, the song is associated with militant physical force Irish republicanism. It is often sung at Republican gatherings.

Another notable aspect of the song is its reference to Roman Catholicism. When the narrator's parents are married it is in the "little church below" and "Father Mac he blessed the pair as one". The explicit reference to religion is relatively rare in republican songs.

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright property of Noel Nagle, but can be found here:

www.google.ie