I was working this morning, listening to spotify for company since as we have to work alone during these times. The Celtic/Irish playlist was on shuffle and Charlie and the Bhoys’ song, Celtic Overall, came on. As I listened to the words it came to me that it is quite possibly the most educational song in terms of covering Celtic’s history.
If you have kids, who you want to teach the story of Celtic then look no further.
Verse 1&2:
It may not give an in-depth history of the formation of Celtic, but it tells of Brother Walfrid as the leading founding father, establishing the club in St Mary’s Church Hall, before describing Celtic’s first ever match, a 5-2 victory over Rangers in May 1888. Neil McCallum, who was Celtic’s first ever goalscorer is even given a mention, alongside early Celtic icon – James Kelly – who is the subject of that famous quote: ‘No Kelly, No Celtic’.
In 1888 me boys a group of Irish men
Had formed a brand new Football team in Glasgow’s dark East End
And Brother Walfrid then addressed them in St. Mary’s hall
He said Celtic first and Celtic last and Celtic Over All.
The Rangers club the came to open dear old Paradise
And Neil McCallum scored the first and then they realised
The game was o’er and then James Kelly handed him the ball
He said Celtic first and Celtic last and Celtic Over All.
Verse 3&4:
The third verse relives Celtic’s first ever major trophy – the Scottish Cup in 1892. The Hoops thumped Queen’s Park 5-1 in the final, with the legendary Dan Doyle playing in the match. From there, the song tells of Celtic’s first great team. Every era has a special side, whether its the Lisbon Lions, Quality Street Gang or the Seville team. The first was the one which won six league titles in a row and were awarded a special shield to mark the achievement. The song pays tribute to that accomplishment and gives the names of early greats such as Sommers, Loney, Hays and Quinn. It even mentions the nicknames Napoleon (Jimmy McMenemy) and the Icicle (Alec McNair).
In 1892 the cup was won on Ibrox soil
The Queens Park team had no reply, they met with big Dan Doyle
We celebrated all night long the Irish one and all
We sang Celtic first and Celtic last and Celtic Over All.
The early 20th century saw Glasgow Celtic win
Six flags in a row, with Sommers, Loney, Hays and Quinn
Napoleon and the Icicle with Adams big and tall
Sang Celtic first and Celtic last and Celtic Over All .
Verse 5,6&7:
The next three verses cover WW1, the 20s and 30s. More greats of the time are listed, whilst the iconic 1925 Scottish Cup final is mentioned, when Patsy Gallacher somersaulted into the net with the ball between his feet. The song then goes on to talk about Celtic’s greatest accomplishment of the time, winning the Empire Exhibition Cup, which made the Hoops the champions of Britain.
The war to end all wars was on but Celtic did not sigh
The Easter rising of 16 had kept our spirits high
With Sonny Jim and Charlie Shaw and sniper Jim McColl
Singing Celtic first and Celtic last and Celtic Over All .
All through the 20’s we produced some men of great amaze
McGrory, Wilson and McLean the Thomson’s and McStay’s
When Patsy did somersault his feet around the ball
He sang Celtic first and Celtic last and Celtic Over All.
The Empire Exhibition came to Glasgow on the Clyde
As had they tried the Sunderland and Hearts were swept aside
The Everton their hearts were broke as Divers, Crum and all
Sang Celtic first and Celtic last and Celtic Over All.
Verse 8&9:
The next two verses are dedicated the 1950s. The infamous flag controversy is covered, as is Bob Kelly’s refusal to remove the Irish tri-colour from Celtic Park. Thereafter, the famous 7-1 demolition of Rangers is mentioned, alongside another huge trophy in Celtic history, as the club became champions of Britain once more, by securing the Coronation Cup in 1953.
Those bigots from the SFA were plain to be seen
They tried to take away our flag of orange white and green
The banner stays Sir Robert says in answer to our call
He said Celtic first and Celtic last and Celtic Over All.
In 1953 the Coronation Cup was won
Then Celtic 7 Rangers 1 was Hampden in the sun
When Bertie Peacock held aloft the cup we heard him call
He said Celtic first and Celtic last and Celtic Over All.
Verse 10&11:
Verses 10 and 11 are dedicated to the 60s and 70s. Verse 10 is all about Celtic’s European Cup triumph. The 9 in a row is the subject of verse 11, as well as a nod being given to the club’s inclusive credentials.
Bill Shankly said to Stein one afternoon in Lisbon town
Hey Jock now your immortal with your European crown
All Glasgow was a sea of green that night as I recall
We sang Celtic first and Celtic last and Celtic Over All.
We’ve Protestants and Catholics here together once again
Just like the days yore with the United Irish men
9 in a row it goes to show the greatest team of all
It’s Celtic first and Celtic last and Celtic Over All.
Verse 12:
The song concludes by talking about the new stadium being constructed and Celtic entering the modern era. Many achievements have since been won and the 80s and 90s were mostly missed out, but this song is still a superb listen, which educates on most historic Celtic events.
Now in a new millennium we’re yearning for a team
To match our brand new stadium, I hope it’s not a dream
Oh Gradh mo Croidhe, I long to see the writing on the wall
Saying Celtic first and Celtic last and Celtic Over All.
