Follow Follow
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
"Follow Follow" is a song sung by supporters of Rangers, a football club in Glasgow, Scotland. It is based upon the revivalist hymn "Follow On".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/9335235.stm |title=Ibrox disaster memorial service |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 January 2011 |accessdate=5 April 2011}}
Club usage
The song has been adopted by Rangers as their club anthem.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/1303295.stm |title=Murray urges fans to curb chants |publisher=BBC News |date=29 April 2001 |accessdate=25 March 2011}} In 2007 Rangers used the song as an inspiration for the title of their initiative against unacceptable behaviour at football matches, Follow With Pride,{{cite web |url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/articles/20090714/acceptable-conduct_2254524_1722055 |title=Acceptable Conduct |publisher=Rangers |accessdate=25 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928234516/http://www.rangers.co.uk/articles/20090714/acceptable-conduct_2254524_1722055 |archivedate=28 September 2011}} to replace their Pride Over Prejudice campaign.{{cite web |url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/page/followwithpride/0,,5,00.html |title=Follow With Pride |publisher=Rangers |accessdate=25 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104133123/http://www.rangers.co.uk/page/followwithpride/0,,5,00.html |archive-date=4 January 2011 |url-status=dead }} There is also a Rangers fanzine named after the song. It is also called Follow Follow and was banned from being sold outside Ibrox Stadium due to having printed articles with a sectarian related content. It moved to an online message board which is now the leading Rangers fansite.{{cite web|url=http://sport.scotsman.com/theoldfirm/Stadium-ban-for-bigoted-Rangers.2374026.jp|title=Stadium ban for 'bigoted' Rangers fanzine|publisher=The Scotsman |date=31 October 2002 |accessdate=26 March 2011}}
Controversy
The song has gathered an amount of controversy after some fans started to sing alternative lyrics about the Pope and the Vatican City that are considered sectarian.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STOP+POPE+SONGS+OF+HATE%3B+Rangers+fans+urged+to+ban+bigoted+chants.-a060452045 |title=STOP POPE SONGS OF HATE; Rangers fans urged to ban bigoted chants. |publisher=Free Online Library |date=8 June 1999 |accessdate=25 March 2011}}
In 1999 Rangers' vice-chairman Donald Findlay had to stand down from his position and resign from the club's board after being filmed singing "Follow Follow" (with these alternative lyrics) and "The Sash".{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/scottish_premier/357392.stm |title=Findlay songs inquiry launched |publisher=BBC News |date=9 June 1999 |accessdate=25 March 2011}} The Faculty of Advocates (the professional body to which Findlay belonged) found his actions were "likely to bring the faculty into disrepute" and fined him £3,500.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/505098.stm |title=Song row lawyer fined |publisher=BBC News |date=4 November 1999 |accessdate=25 March 2011}}
In 2009, Linda Gillies was investigated by police after West Lothian Council received a complaint after her parrot was heard whistling "Follow Follow", to the chagrin of some of her neighbours.{{cite news|url=http://www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/pet_parrot_ruffles_feathers_by_singing_rangers_anthems_1_1213651 |title=Pet parrot ruffles feathers by singing Rangers anthems |work=Kirkintilloch Herald|date=22 July 2009 |accessdate=25 March 2011}} The complaint was eventually dismissed by the council and no charges were brought against Gillies.{{cite web|url= http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2009/07/23/parrot-that-whistles-the-sash-almost-lands-owner-with-an-asbo-86908-21541311/ |title=Parrot that whistles The Sash almost lands owner with an ASBO
|publisher=Daily Record |date=23 July 2009 |accessdate=26 March 2011}}
Lyrics
The lyrics are:
:Though the straits be broad or narrow, follow we will,
:Follow we will, follow we will,
:If the straits be broad or narrow, follow we will,
:We will follow in the footsteps of our team. [God bless them]
:Follow follow, we will follow Rangers,
:Everywhere, anywhere,
:We will follow on,
:Follow follow, we will follow Rangers,
:If they go to Dublin we will follow on.
:For there's not a team like the Glasgow Rangers,
:No not one, and there never shall be one,
:Celtic know all about their troubles,
:We will fight till the day is done.
:For there's not a team like the Glasgow Rangers,
:No not one, and there never shall be one!