IRISH FREE STATE: Patriots v. Housepainter

Patriots v. Housepainter

Most Free State theatres suddenly stopped playing "The Soldiers' Song" last week. Patriotic audiences, accustomed to stand and sing it as the Free State's national anthem, demanded explanations. They were told that one Peter Kearney, by profession a housepainter but acknowledged to have composed "The Soldiers' Song" in his spare time, has hired lawyers. The lawyers are demanding a royalty fee for every time the national anthem is played. Last week Dublin's larger theatres defied Housepainter Kearney, continued to play "The Soldiers' Song," dared his lawyers to sue.

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