Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history
3 August 2026
On 3 August 1971, today 55 years ago, a year after The Beatles split, PAUL McCARTNEY told the world that he had a new band calledWINGS, which featured his wifeLinda (1965-1998) and former Moody Blues guitarist Denny Laine (1943-2013)
They recorded/released 7 LPs before breaking up in 1981.
Wings debut single, named Give Ireland Back To The Irish, was a very surprising
one, as it was the first political song Macca ever wrote (co-credited to his wife).
It was in response to the events of Bloody Sunday, on 30 January 1972, when British troops in Northern Ireland shot dead thirteen civil rights protestors. Keen to voice their outrage at the killings, Wings recorded the track two days later at EMI Studios in London.
It was, as expected, banned by the BBC.
BLOODY SUNDAY, also known as the BOGSIDE MASSACRE (Bogside is a neighborhood outside the city walls of Derry) occurred on 30 January 1972. British soldiers (paratroopers) shot 26 unarmed North-Irish civilians during a protest march.
13 people died on the spot. Thirteen were killed outright, while the death of another
man four months later was attributed to his injuries. Many of the victims were shot while
fleeing from the soldiers, and some were shot while trying to help the wounded.
Other protesters were injured by shrapnel, rubber bullets, or batons, and two
were run down by British Army vehicles. All of those shot were Catholics. The march
had been organised by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) to protest against internment without trial.
Paul McCartney and his wife Linda wrote and recorded a protest
song titled GIVE IRELAND BACK TO THE IRISH within 24 hours of
the dramatic event. It was actually the debut single of his band Wings.
The song was banned on all British radios/TV.
Listen here.
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Don’t make them have to take it away
Give Ireland back to the Irish
Make Ireland Irish today
Great Britain, you are tremendous And nobody knows like me But really, what are you doin’ In the land across the sea?
Tell me, how would you like it If on your way to work You were stopped by Irish soldiers? Would you lie down, do nothing Would you give in or go berserk?
Give Ireland back to the Irish Don’t make them have to take it away Give Ireland back to the Irish Make Ireland Irish today
Great Britain and all the people Say that all people must be free And meanwhile back in Ireland There’s a man who looks like me
And he dreams of god and country And he’s feeling really bad And he’s sitting in a prison Say, should he lie down, do nothing Should give in or go mad?
Give Ireland back to the Irish Don’t make them have to take it away Give Ireland back to the Irish Make Ireland Irish today
