Chart music is, by its very definition, a transient thing and is meant to reflect popular tastes of the nation.

Songs go up, songs go down, and some songs that were released years ago can sometimes make a comeback for any number of reasons. Take, for example, the current state of the Irish iTunes chart. The top two positions in the singles' chart are currently held by the same song - 'Come Out Ye Black and Tans' - while the album chart's No.2 position is also held by a live album of the Wolfe Tones, which features that very same song.

Just in case you think this is a joke or something, here's a screenshot taken from iTunes today of both the Singles Chart and the Albums Chart.

So, what is the reason for this? Did the people of Ireland suddenly develop a grá for traditional music, perhaps? Or is it something else? Well, it's both. The most likely cause of the song's sudden surge in the pop charts is down to a now-cancelled commemoration planned for the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police.

The commemoration was due to take place later this month at Dublin Castle, but was met with widespread criticism by both the public and elected officials, many of whom were planning to boycott the commemoration. The reason for the criticism is down to the fact that the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police fought Irish revolutionaries and rebels during the War of Independence between 1919 and 1921. Indeed, the RIC and DMP were eventually supplemented with the Royal Irish Constabulary Special Reserve, popularly known as the Black and Tans due to their mixed uniform consisting of the black-green RIC uniform and the tan khaki trousers they wore.

The Black and Tans were infamous for their brutality, regularly conducting extrajudicial killings, arson, rape, looting and indiscriminate violence on Irish people, all of which was done with the knowledge and acceptance of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police. As a result of their viciousness and cruelty, the Black and Tans were a galvanising force for Irish republicanism, and inspired the song, 'Come Out Ye Black and Tans', originally written by playwright-songwriter Dominic Behan, brother of Brendan Behan.

And just for posterity, here's the song itself.