24 OCTOBER 1981, Page 17

Inoffensive tune

Sir: Origins of `Lillibullero', as Robert Neill in his novel of that name has indicated, are mixed. The words were written by Thomas Wharton, in 1687, a year before the Revolution; and the music to that gay and swaggering tune is generally attributed to Purcell, but doubt remains.

Stan Gebler Davies (Letters, 17 October), reckons, 'It is meant to be offensive to Irish Roman Catholics.' Surely not? The song is used as a leitmotif in Sean O'Casey's final full-length play, The Drums of Father Ned, presaging a united Ireland. So, why does he imagine the tune 'is still offensive to Irish Roman Catholics'? Bigoted ones, perhaps!

John O'Riordan

The Mall, Southgate, London N14