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

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

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

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
  1. "Ibrox disaster memorial service". BBC Sport. 3 January 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  2. "Murray urges fans to curb chants". BBC News. 29 April 2001. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  3. "Acceptable Conduct". Rangers. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  4. "Follow With Pride". Rangers. Archived from the original on 4 January 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  5. "Stadium ban for 'bigoted' Rangers fanzine". The Scotsman. 31 October 2002. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  6. "STOP POPE SONGS OF HATE; Rangers fans urged to ban bigoted chants". Free Online Library. 8 June 1999. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  7. "Findlay songs inquiry launched". BBC News. 9 June 1999. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  8. "Song row lawyer fined". BBC News. 4 November 1999. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  9. "Pet parrot ruffles feathers by singing Rangers anthems". Kirkintilloch Herald. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  10. "Parrot that whistles The Sash almost lands owner with an ASBO". Daily Record. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
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