Shady lady
Sir: Who is this strange Teutonic female that George Gale has conjured up, called LiIli Burlero (10 October)? The song is properly known as Lilliburlero', the title coming from a line of doggerel that has no more specific meaning than, say, wah-wah, dodo wah, or whatever it is pop singers mouth. It is certainly not Hanoverian, unless you count William III a member of the House of Hanover, a connection I do not think he ever claimed for himself. It is true that it helped finish off the Stuarts, and the Catholic cause with them.
For that reason the song became, and remains, the anthem of Protestant Ireland. It is also symbolic of the British Army more so than any other tune except 'The British Grenadiers', and has many times helped put th fear of God across our enemies before our troops went into battle. It is still offensive to Irish Roman Catholics. It is meant to be offensive to Irish Roman Catholics. Stan Gebler Davies
4 Carmelite Street, London EC4
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