The Helicopter Song

"The Helicopter Song" was a number one single in the Republic of Ireland for the Irish traditional folk band the Wolfe Tones.

Background

Originally written by Sean(Jobby)Mc Ginley from Castlefinn, Co. Donegal the song tells the story of the 1973 escape of three Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoners from Dublin's Mountjoy Prison. On Hallowe'en an IRA member hijacked a helicopter and forced the pilot to fly to Mountjoy where the three prisoners, JB O'Hagan, Seamus Twomey and Kevin Mallon, were lifted by helicopter from the exercise yard of Mountjoy Jail's D Wing at 3.40pm. The incident was a major embarrassment for the government.

Lyrics and Style

As with some other Wolfe Tone's songs, the lyrics use a certain comical tone to show sympathy with the Republican cause and narrate events linked to the Troubles in Ireland, rather than an overly aggressive or ultra sectarian language, an attribute which contributed to its popularity.

Example:

Over in the Dáil they were drinking gin and brandy

The Minister for Justice was soaking up the sun

when came this little message that some prisoners have escaped 'em

I think its three of the Provos" says the warder in the 'Joy

Chart success

The song was number one for four weeks despite being immediately banned by the Irish government, the song peaked in the Irish charts on November 22, 1973 and held that position for four weeks until it was replaced by Slade's "Merry Christmas Everybody".