Now that the British chancellor of the exchequer has said Britain stands ready to participate in rescuing the state-owned Irish banks, it is appropriate that we should recall the words of an old song. Peadar Kearney, who wrote the words of Amhrán na bhFiann, left us another ditty whose words can now be understood literally. The following two stanzas are particularly apt. Perhaps they could be sung at Fianna Fáil ardfheiseanna.

"When we were savage fierce and wild

Whack fol the diddle fol the di dol day

She came like a mother to her child

Whack fol the diddle fol the di dol day

Gently raised us from the slime

Kept our hands from hellish crime

And sent us to Heaven in her own good time

Whack fol the diddle fol the di dol day

Our fathers oft were naughty boys

Whack fol the diddle fol the di dol day

For pikes and guns are dangerous toys

Whack fol the diddle fol the di dol day

From Bearna Baol to Peter's Hill

We made poor England weep her fill

Ah, but ould Britannia she loves us still Whack fol the diddle fol the di dol day"

Paddy Healy

88 Griffith Court

Fairview

Dublin 3