Take it Down from the Mast is an Irish Republican song written by Dominic Behan during the 1950s.[1] Although it officially refers to the period of the Irish Civil War (1922-23), it was written as a direct attack on those who acknowledged the Government of Ireland at the time of its writing.
The flag in question is the Irish tricolour, which the song tells supporters of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the Irish Free State to take down, as it is the flag of the Irish Republic, which they claim the "Free Staters" betrayed. The third verse references specific execution by firing squad during the Civil War. Among those named directly are Rory O'Connor, Liam Mellows, Richard Barrett and Joe McKelvey. (See Executions during the Irish Civil War).
At the time, the Anti-Treaty IRA regarded their Civil War opponents as traitors and therefore unworthy to use the Irish tricolor. Many hardline Irish nationalists, such as the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA, continue to hold these views toward the modern Irish Government. Even today, it is not unheard to hear it being referred to as, "a British-imposed Dail." The Provisional Sinn Féin Party and the Provisional IRA are far more discreet about expressing such views, however.
Take It Down From The Mast is still popular among Irish Republicans, particularly those who believe that the Anglo-Irish Treaty was a betrayal of the republican cause.