Shoreham Boys- offensive?

[Tezza1889]

Anyone know where I can get the Shoreham Boys song ringtone?

No but I have got a link for the gcb ringtone for a Nokia 2110

 

[AnotherBlade]

It's a threat

Are you really trying to tell me that the song means 'look out fans from other football clubs, we're going to arrive in your towns or cities, frequent your best ale establishments and then charm women with our charisma'?

Or does it mean 'we're taking your beer and your women'

If you think the song implies no consensual sex with women you are an absolute fucking cabbage!

 

[Nickydblade]

Unlike many I think this is a good thread. It is useful to discuss this kind of issue and get the opinions out there. It is part of a wider cultural conversation but is particularly relevant for us as twenty odd thousand Blades roar the chant together (on a good day ). The world is changing and obviously football changes with it. The Stoke ‘Delilah’ debate appeared on here recently, for example.

For those who say ‘it is just a song’ or a ‘joke’ you are clearly right and I’m sure most do not actively intend offence or see an issue. However, for those who have used this line they would have to logically extend it to defending a racist chant. People used to defend racist chants as ‘just a song’. Perhaps a racist chant meant no real harm, but I imagine very few now would support this. How about a homophobic chant? If someone wants to return and defend the ‘it’s just a song’ or a ‘joke’ position extended to these other issues then fair enough, but, without this, that particular argument does not stand up.

Similarly the discussion is not about singing about ‘beer’ and this is another unconvincing defence. A poll about this would not split the fan base (small sample but the best we have). It could conceivably be a debate about beer in the future (or Woodbines etc.) but we are not there yet and no one to my knowledge has found an issue with it. Anyone commenting on here is clearly aware there is an issue with the last line, whatever your opinion. That is the question here, and deflecting from this by making it about other words in this or other chants is another weak defence. There has been more interesting debate about is the chant ‘sexist or misogynist’ or the use of the possessive pronoun ‘your’, and I can genuinely see the different sides of the argument here. I would personally go with misogyny (unintended, but it usually is), but I understand that is more of an opinion than ‘proven’ by the words themselves.

The majority who don’t like this thread seem less likely to be bothered by the words or perhaps don’t like their behaviour being questioned (but I could be wrong). If you think it is not worth talking about then fair enough, but I’m reading this sort of comment as it is supporting the chant. I get the argument that there are more important issues, but that is true of almost anything we talk about on here.

We are a family of four ST holders including my youngest son and, like most, sing the first bit then not the last line as it is both outdated and inappropriate for children. We used to sing ‘we all like a drink of beer’ loudly instead of the last line to drown it out for the young un, but now just mumble our version as we don’t really hear the ‘shag’ bit around us, even away it is usually mumbled and so reduces the chant. We are not personally ‘triggered’ or ‘offended’ by it, but it is embarrassing. I have three daughters who have seen us play home and away and obviously heard the chant, and it is unpleasant and a barrier. They do not attend regularly. I am not saying it is this specific song that has done this, but it is part of the wider culture. It is no different to some blokes singing those words to your mothers / daughters / whoever in the street, and just being in a footy crowd is not a convincing defence. Of course some girls or women may not have an issue with this, that is their prerogative. I would understand it is likely to be ‘just a song’ or a ‘joke’ but If I was asked if we should tolerate this sort of language in that context I would say no.

No one wants to ‘ban’ the chant, it is simply that the world is changing, the majority of the fans are themselves already changing this chant by not belting out the last bit, and this thread is another bit of the process. I am not expecting everyone to agree or think it is important, but perhaps they can at least see how others might feel.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Unlike many I think this is a good thread. It is useful to discuss this kind of issue and get the opinions out there. It is part of a wider cultural conversation but is particularly relevant for us as twenty odd thousand Blades roar the chant together (on a good day ). The world is changing and obviously football changes with it. The Stoke ‘Delilah’ debate appeared on here recently, for example.

For those who say ‘it is just a song’ or a ‘joke’ you are clearly right and I’m sure most do not actively intend offence or see an issue. However, for those who have used this line they would have to logically extend it to defending a racist chant. People used to defend racist chants as ‘just a song’. Perhaps a racist chant meant no real harm, but I imagine very few now would support this. How about a homophobic chant? If someone wants to return and defend the ‘it’s just a song’ or a ‘joke’ position extended to these other issues then fair enough, but, without this, that particular argument does not stand up.

Similarly the discussion is not about singing about ‘beer’ and this is another unconvincing defence. A poll about this would not split the fan base (small sample but the best we have). It could conceivably be a debate about beer in the future (or Woodbines etc.) but we are not there yet and no one to my knowledge has found an issue with it. Anyone commenting on here is clearly aware there is an issue with the last line, whatever your opinion. That is the question here, and deflecting from this by making it about other words in this or other chants is another weak defence. There has been more interesting debate about is the chant ‘sexist or misogynist’ or the use of the possessive pronoun ‘your’, and I can genuinely see the different sides of the argument here. I would personally go with misogyny (unintended, but it usually is), but I understand that is more of an opinion than ‘proven’ by the words themselves.

The majority who don’t like this thread seem less likely to be bothered by the words or perhaps don’t like their behaviour being questioned (but I could be wrong). If you think it is not worth talking about then fair enough, but I’m reading this sort of comment as it is supporting the chant. I get the argument that there are more important issues, but that is true of almost anything we talk about on here.

We are a family of four ST holders including my youngest son and, like most, sing the first bit then not the last line as it is both outdated and inappropriate for children. We used to sing ‘we all like a drink of beer’ loudly instead of the last line to drown it out for the young un, but now just mumble our version as we don’t really hear the ‘shag’ bit around us, even away it is usually mumbled and so reduces the chant. We are not personally ‘triggered’ or ‘offended’ by it, but it is embarrassing. I have three daughters who have seen us play home and away and obviously heard the chant, and it is unpleasant and a barrier. They do not attend regularly. I am not saying it is this specific song that has done this, but it is part of the wider culture. It is no different to some blokes singing those words to your mothers / daughters / whoever in the street, and just being in a footy crowd is not a convincing defence. Of course some girls or women may not have an issue with this, that is their prerogative. I would understand it is likely to be ‘just a song’ or a ‘joke’ but If I was asked if we should tolerate this sort of language in that context I would say no.

No one wants to ‘ban’ the chant, it is simply that the world is changing, the majority of the fans are themselves already changing this chant by not belting out the last bit, and this thread is another bit of the process. I am not expecting everyone to agree or think it is important, but perhaps they can at least see how others might feel.

I agree with what you saying, and the link to racism is valid. It does however all pivot on your interpretation of what the lyrics mean. People have spoke about rape, ownership etc which are clearly hugely offensive. But is sex with another person offensive? Going to another town and having sex with a local woman isn't sexist in any way, in itself.
My point is, the words mean different things to different people, such that often, people are arguing or discussing at cross purposes.

 

[mancunianblade]

People are exerting way to much energy on this thread defending a song that is in all honestly a bit shit.

 

[Nickydblade]

EDIT: reply to Greasy Chap Butty

I agree, but it does not mean that (as with most things) that one side of the debate is simply ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, and just dismissing the opposite opinion stops critical thinking and only reinforces our own prejudices.

Rightly or wrongly this sort of chant is up for debate, and whether people defending it like it or not, the last line is seriously out of step with the wider culture.

 

[robbiez666]

No one wants to ‘ban’ the chant, it is simply that the world is changing, the majority of the fans are themselves already changing this chant by not belting out the last bit, and this thread is another bit of the process. I am not expecting everyone to agree or think it is important, but perhaps they can at least see how others might feel.

I think most people would simply want to see the last line changed to something more appropriate for today.

 

[Nickydblade]

I think most people would simply want to see the last line changed to something more appropriate for today.

Well we have used ‘we all like a drink of beer’ for years. I’ll get mi coat

 

[biggiesablade]

I hope we have a Rules Brittania sort of backlash and belt it out for a full 90, higlighliting the SHAG part #istandwiththeshorehamshaggers

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

It was from the 70s yes happy days ,when football had a edge to it .

I mean. I don't want to be seen to disagree with you, in case you go all deranged at me...

But, I had it as...

With hatchets and hammers, CARVING KNIVES and spanners....

 

[Brewster Cost £70 million]

Was that the SRA song in the 1970s?

I thought it was carving knives and spanners

 

[Brewster Cost £70 million]

some top tracks on there

 

[Netsix_and_chill]

I thought it was that too.

No wonder I got thrown out of Spoons……

I wondered why you ordered two halves, a patented crab industries three way

 

[shorehamview]

some top tracks on there

Loses points for the incorrect punctuation.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

I also dislike so called woke culture with a passion. But grown men singing publicity about “shagging other people’s women’ just doesn’t sound right to me…Sorry, but it doesn’t. If you’ve ever sat on a packed train and witnessed well oiled Blades fans singing it in front of bemused (families) passengers…It just sounds moronic.
As a kid in the 70s I saw and heard lot worse at football matches, but I’d like to think we’ve moved on hell of a lot since then.
Shoreham Boys is a Blades classic, but would just prefer it to have less juvenile lyrics.

 

[Brewster Cost £70 million]

Songs sung about the Munich air disaster and the 2 Leeds fans killed in Turkey are songs that are beyond offensive and anyone singing them should be banned for life shoreham boys is sung by the full stadium so obviously women don't see it as offensive or they wouldn't sing It.

 

[Bladeloyal]

I mean. I don't want to be seen to disagree with you, in case you go all deranged at me...

But, I had it as...

With hatchets and hammers, CARVING KNIVES and spanners....

As I went deranged I forgot the words .it's been a long time

 

[Ginger Gnome]

If you think the song implies no consensual sex with women you are an absolute fucking cabbage!

He's not allowed to fuck cabbage as it implies the cabbage is a possession.

 

[100% part time blade]

I think most people would simply want to see the last line changed to something more appropriate for today.

Someone on another thread sings “show no mercy. Show no fear” for the last line.

 

[Ginger Gnome]

I think most people would simply want to see the last line changed to something more appropriate for today.

It was already inappropriate when it started, not sure why some people are acting like it's some ancient chant from a time when chanting about shagging in front of kids was totally normal. You choose to interpret the words as some form of promoting rape culture, which also would never have been fine.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

End of the day it's words. Just words. Whatever happened to 'sticks and stones may break my bones'? Now it's 'shag your women defines possession of a female as your is a possessive term'

How's about so what? It's a song.

I hope they one day ban Gary pucketts song (think it's him) "young girl get out of my mind. My love for you is way out of line, you're a young girl, you're much too young girl"

Maybe direct your anger at that nonce cunt rather than some words, regarded widely as banter.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

I think most people would simply want to see the last line changed to something more appropriate for today.

Think of summat then. You're the one with the problem. You solve it.

 

[ZLB]

Someone on another thread sings “show no mercy. Show no fear” for the last line.

“Show no mercy”. That’s offensive. Sounds very very non consensual.

 

[Nade]

Unlike many I think this is a good thread. It is useful to discuss this kind of issue and get the opinions out there. It is part of a wider cultural conversation but is particularly relevant for us as twenty odd thousand Blades roar the chant together (on a good day ). The world is changing and obviously football changes with it. The Stoke ‘Delilah’ debate appeared on here recently, for example.

For those who say ‘it is just a song’ or a ‘joke’ you are clearly right and I’m sure most do not actively intend offence or see an issue. However, for those who have used this line they would have to logically extend it to defending a racist chant. People used to defend racist chants as ‘just a song’. Perhaps a racist chant meant no real harm, but I imagine very few now would support this. How about a homophobic chant? If someone wants to return and defend the ‘it’s just a song’ or a ‘joke’ position extended to these other issues then fair enough, but, without this, that particular argument does not stand up.

Similarly the discussion is not about singing about ‘beer’ and this is another unconvincing defence. A poll about this would not split the fan base (small sample but the best we have). It could conceivably be a debate about beer in the future (or Woodbines etc.) but we are not there yet and no one to my knowledge has found an issue with it. Anyone commenting on here is clearly aware there is an issue with the last line, whatever your opinion. That is the question here, and deflecting from this by making it about other words in this or other chants is another weak defence. There has been more interesting debate about is the chant ‘sexist or misogynist’ or the use of the possessive pronoun ‘your’, and I can genuinely see the different sides of the argument here. I would personally go with misogyny (unintended, but it usually is), but I understand that is more of an opinion than ‘proven’ by the words themselves.

The majority who don’t like this thread seem less likely to be bothered by the words or perhaps don’t like their behaviour being questioned (but I could be wrong). If you think it is not worth talking about then fair enough, but I’m reading this sort of comment as it is supporting the chant. I get the argument that there are more important issues, but that is true of almost anything we talk about on here.

We are a family of four ST holders including my youngest son and, like most, sing the first bit then not the last line as it is both outdated and inappropriate for children. We used to sing ‘we all like a drink of beer’ loudly instead of the last line to drown it out for the young un, but now just mumble our version as we don’t really hear the ‘shag’ bit around us, even away it is usually mumbled and so reduces the chant. We are not personally ‘triggered’ or ‘offended’ by it, but it is embarrassing. I have three daughters who have seen us play home and away and obviously heard the chant, and it is unpleasant and a barrier. They do not attend regularly. I am not saying it is this specific song that has done this, but it is part of the wider culture. It is no different to some blokes singing those words to your mothers / daughters / whoever in the street, and just being in a footy crowd is not a convincing defence. Of course some girls or women may not have an issue with this, that is their prerogative. I would understand it is likely to be ‘just a song’ or a ‘joke’ but If I was asked if we should tolerate this sort of language in that context I would say no.

No one wants to ‘ban’ the chant, it is simply that the world is changing, the majority of the fans are themselves already changing this chant by not belting out the last bit, and this thread is another bit of the process. I am not expecting everyone to agree or think it is important, but perhaps they can at least see how others might feel.

That is genuinely one of the best reasoned and well thought out posts I've read on this forum. Have a like.

 

[robbiez666]

Think of summat then. You're the one with the problem. You solve it.

"let us win or we'll leave Fallowfield here"?

 

[JJ Sefton]

I think most people would simply want to see the last line changed to something more appropriate for today.

Shoreham boys,
We are here,
Bi, Panflux, and genderqueer…

 

[YES Blade]

End of the day it's words. Just words. Whatever happened to 'sticks and stones may break my bones'? Now it's 'shag your women defines possession of a female as your is a possessive term'

How's about so what? It's a song.

If that’s the case and it’s just words, why not allow racist, homophobic and any other offensive songs which someone wants to sing?

 

[Bladeloyal]

If that’s the case and it’s just words, why not allow racist, homophobic and any other offensive songs which someone wants to sing?

Which songs would they be ?

 

[YES Blade]

Which songs would they be ?

Any that are racist or homophobic, which are rightly no longer sang by United fans?

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

If that’s the case and it’s just words, why not allow racist, homophobic and any other offensive songs which someone wants to sing?

Because we all know there are lines we do not cross