Bright Orange Stars of Coleraine, The

DESCRIPTION: Marching song. The singer describes the celebrations on the twelfth of July. The marchers celebrate to the memory of William (of Orange). The singer praises Coleraine, and intends never to forget William's triumph
AUTHOR: Robert Thompson ?
EARLIEST DATE: 1925 (Sam Henry collection)
KEYWORDS: political Ireland nonballad
HISTORICAL REFERENCES:
July 1, 1690 - Battle of the Boyne. William III crushes the Irish army of James II, at once securing his throne and the rule of Ireland. Irish resistance continues for about another year, but Ireland east of the Shannon is William's, and the opposition is doomed.
July 12, 1691 - Battle of Aughrim. Decisive defeat of Irish Catholic forces
FOUND IN: Ireland
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Henry/Huntingdon/Herrmann-SamHenrysSongsOfThePeople H87a, pp. 181-182, "The Bright Orange Stars of Coleraine" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #8006
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Battle of the Boyne (I)" (subject: The Battle of the Boyne) and references there
NOTES [61 words]: This is probably the most political song in the Henry collection, and gives little evidence of being traditional. The Northern Constitution was published in Ulster, of course, so such sentiments were permissible -- but I'm still surprised it was published. Other Irish songs may allude to William of Orange's triumph, but this is one of the few to gloat over it. - RBW
File: HHH087a

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