My Old Man’s a Provo Lyrics
The DavittsMusic Video
My Old Man’s a Provo Lyrics
Well, my old man's a Provo with a beret and a gun,
I haven't seen him lately, he's always on the run.
He looks so really trendy, with his shades and DM boots,
Far cooler than those other dads in ties and shirts and suits.
The Brits and police harass me, each time that I go out.
They ask me if I've seen me da, and if he's been about.
I say, "Mind your own business, just leave me alone,
You sure are only jealous you've no fathers of your own!"
Well, my old man's a Provo with a beret and a gun
I haven't seen him lately, he's always on the run
He looks so really trendy with his shades and DM boots
Far cooler than those other dads in ties and shirts and suits
On our TV last Friday night, a cop came on to say:
"Please give us information about the IRA",
He showed a Provo unit on security TV,
I know one was me daddy, 'cause' he stopped and waved at me!
Well, my old man's a Provo with a beret and a gun,
I haven't seen him lately, he's always on the run.
He looks so really trendy, with his shades and DM boots,
Far cooler than those other dads in ties and shirts and suits.
My dad has got me worried, I think he's goin' soft
There's half a ton of fertiliser stored up on our loft
"Are you gonna be a farmer, dad?", I asked him just for fun
He said "Don't be an eejit, pass the coffee grinder son!"
Well, my old man's a Provo with a beret and a gun,
I haven't seen him lately, he's always on the run.
He looks so really trendy, with his shades and DM boots,
Far cooler than those other dads in ties and shirts and suits.
At Christmas time, it's lonely when daddy's not at home,
The police are watching everywhere; they've even tapped the phone.
Last Christmas Eve they staked out all our windows and our doors,
When climbing down the chimney came a Provo Santa Claus.
Well, my old man's a Provo with a beret and a gun,
I haven't seen him lately, he's always on the run.
He looks so really trendy, with his shades and DM boots,
Far cooler than those other dads in ties and shirts and suits.
Me da, he's in the Long Kesh, to me it's just not right,
I'll say a special prayer for him when I go to bed tonight.
Today, it was his birthday, I sent him in a cake;
With Semtex in the candles, he'll be out before I wake!
Well, my old man's a Provo with a beret and a gun,
I haven't seen him lately, he's always on the run.
He looks so really trendy, with his shades and DM boots,
Far cooler than those other dads in ties and shirts and suits... x2
Song Details
🎶 Songwriter: Unknown (Modern Rebel Song)
📝 Song Brief: A lively modern rebel song told from the perspective of a child whose father is involved with the IRA. Humorous, cheeky, and rooted in late‑20th‑century republican culture, the song circulated through pub singing and cassette recordings before appearing on compilation albums.
📖 Glossary:- Provo — A colloquial term for a member of the Provisional IRA, an armed republican organisation active during the Troubles. In songs, the word is often used informally or humorously rather than as a literal description.
- DM Boots — Short for Dr. Martens boots, a popular style of sturdy leather footwear. They became widely worn across Britain and Ireland from the 1970s onward, often associated with working‑class fashion and youth culture.
- Eejit — An Irish slang word meaning idiot or fool, usually said in a light‑hearted or affectionate way rather than as a harsh insult.
- Long Kesh — A large prison complex near Lisburn, Northern Ireland, officially known as HM Prison Maze. It held many republican and loyalist prisoners during the Troubles and is frequently referenced in songs and stories from that period.
- Semtex — A type of plastic explosive manufactured in Czechoslovakia. It became widely known during the Troubles due to its use in various attacks. In songs, the term often appears as part of exaggerated or humorous storytelling rather than literal commentary.
🍀 Genre: Irish rebel song
👥 Covers: The Irish Brigade, Seth Staton Watkins, The Rebel Hearts, Charlie & the Bhoys, Shan-Nos, Fenian Folk.
🎤 Featured Artist: The Davitts - an Irish ballad and rebel‑song group known for their strong vocal delivery and lively arrangements of well‑known republican songs. Their recordings often appear on compilation albums, which has helped their versions spread widely across streaming platforms. The group’s style blends traditional instrumentation with a straightforward, energetic performance that keeps these modern rebel songs accessible to new listeners.
💿 Album: Celtic Anthems
Released: 2011
Country: Worldwide
Format: CD / Digital download / Streaming
