Follow Follow
"Follow Follow" is a song sung by supporters of Rangers, a football club in Glasgow, Scotland. It is based upon the revivalist hymn "Follow On".[1]
Club usage
[edit]The song has been adopted by Rangers as their club anthem.[2] In 2007 Rangers used the song as an inspiration for the title of their initiative against unacceptable behaviour at football matches, Follow With Pride,[3] to replace their Pride Over Prejudice campaign.[4] There is also a Rangers fanzine named after the song. It is also called Follow Follow and was banned from being sold outside Ibrox Stadium due to having printed articles with a sectarian related content. It moved to an online message board which is now the leading Rangers fansite.[5]
Controversy
[edit]The song has gathered an amount of controversy after some fans started to sing alternative lyrics about the Pope and the Vatican City that are considered sectarian.[6]
In 1999 Rangers' vice-chairman Donald Findlay had to stand down from his position and resign from the club's board after being filmed singing "Follow Follow" (with these alternative lyrics) and "The Sash".[7] The Faculty of Advocates (the professional body to which Findlay belonged) found his actions were "likely to bring the faculty into disrepute" and fined him £3,500.[8]
In 2009, Linda Gillies was investigated by police after West Lothian Council received a complaint after her parrot was heard whistling "Follow Follow", to the chagrin of some of her neighbours.[9] The complaint was eventually dismissed by the council and no charges were brought against Gillies.[10]
Lyrics
[edit]The lyrics are:
- Though the straits be broad or narrow, follow we will,
- Follow we will, follow we will,
- If the straits be broad or narrow, follow we will,
- We will follow in the footsteps of our team. [God bless them]
- Follow follow, we will follow Rangers,
- Everywhere, anywhere,
- We will follow on,
- Follow follow, we will follow Rangers,
- If they go to Dublin we will follow on.
- For there's not a team like the Glasgow Rangers,
- No not one, and there never shall be one,
- Celtic know all about their troubles,
- We will fight till the day is done.
- For there's not a team like the Glasgow Rangers,
- No not one, and there never shall be one!
Notes
[edit]- ^ "Ibrox disaster memorial service". BBC Sport. 3 January 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ "Murray urges fans to curb chants". BBC News. 29 April 2001. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ "Acceptable Conduct". Rangers. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ "Follow With Pride". Rangers. Archived from the original on 4 January 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ "Stadium ban for 'bigoted' Rangers fanzine". The Scotsman. 31 October 2002. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
- ^ "STOP POPE SONGS OF HATE; Rangers fans urged to ban bigoted chants". Free Online Library. 8 June 1999. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ "Findlay songs inquiry launched". BBC News. 9 June 1999. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ "Song row lawyer fined". BBC News. 4 November 1999. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ "Pet parrot ruffles feathers by singing Rangers anthems". Kirkintilloch Herald. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ^ "Parrot that whistles The Sash almost lands owner with an ASBO". Daily Record. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2011.