Warfield was commissioned to write the song to celebrate the centenary of the Glaswegian football team's foundation in 1984.
According to Warfield, he took the lyrics from graffiti he saw on the streets of Glasgow, including"Up the Celts, we're magic", and the point of controversy,"Ooh Ah Up The Ra"."Remember, there was mass discrimination against the Catholics, gerrymandering of the states, we had no opportunity of getting any sort of power in the six counties," Warfield added.
"Now, they're giving hell to these young girls for singing a song that tells that story. So I think that's all wrong, and I think everybody should go out there and sing the song wherever they can.Related links.
Brian Warfield has had a long career setting a certain kind of Republicanism to music. The explanation that he was just referring to graffiti when he included 'up the ra' in the words of Celtic Symphony is disingenuous to say the least.
Brian Waffler.