The Rumjacks
There is an old Gaelic proverb, “No wonder that the cask smells of the herr… Read Full Bio ↴There is an old Gaelic proverb, “No wonder that the cask smells of the herring that it holds,” and no truer statement could be made about the music of Sydney Gaelic-punks, The Rumjacks.

The Rumjacks are a celtic, folk, punk band incorporating banjo, tin whistle and mandolin with roaring guitars and crashing drums into their sound.

Having spent the last few years peddling their blue collar brand of folkloric 'rotgut n' roll', The Rumjacks have swept aside tired comparisons to legends such as Billy Bragg and The Pogues – sure, the guys all have great respect and love for what came before them and are more than a little fond of traditional folk music, but they are forging their own sound, over rattling bottles and twisted tales, long nights up and down the East Coast of Australia and likely as not, sprawled on the floor when the sun comes up.

They released their debut album “Gangs Of New Holland” (Laughing Outlaw / Inertia) in September 2010 to critical acclaim – quotes below.

The band tours Australia relentlessly playing support to such bands as Gogol Bordello, Dropkick Murphys, UK Subs, The Aggrolites, GBH, The Snowdroppers and many more.

"...I’ve seen Dropkick Murphy’s live and I think I may just have had a better time with these scallywags from Sydney!" Fasterlouder.com.au

“Mixing the drunken raw storytelling of the Irish with the grit and honesty of street punk, they’re frontrunners in an ever-emerging scene...The Rumjacks are a band on the move” Drum Media

“...loudly touted, and not just by me as the future of Celtic punk.” Shite N Onions

By the people, for the people, with the people, The Rumjacks aren't just coming, they've been, gone and are coming back. Lay your tables and keep your lights on, they'll be home soon.
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The Rumjacks Lyrics


a dozen good reasons to weep I′ve a dozen good reasons to weep To dog my every…
A Fistful O' Roses Oh I've loved you from afar, I've borne you like…
A Fistful O'Roses Oh I′ve loved you from afar, I've borne you like…
A Smugglers Song On the first of January, our Johnnie kissed his Mary, While…
An Irish Pub song There's a county map to go on the wall A hurling…
Bar The Door Casey Bar the door Casey, don’t let me in, My shade’ll not…
Barred for Life Nobby was a shit-for-brains, Tho everybody loved him to his …
Big Man Down They in their black battalion go, Fit to weep, dressed to…
Billy McKinley I′ve rambled down from Glasgow town My labour for to sell So…
Blows & Unkind Words Oh now come fellow traveller, bend an ear t′ward me, Come…
Bullhead The scraps lay scattered on the floor 70 days had been…
Cold London Rain You found me so young and I gave you my…
Crosses For Eyes She had crosses for eyes not diamonds, And they called her…



Down With The Ship She’s hanging round the bar ‘cause there’s beer for sale I’m…
Fact'ry Jack Old Jack Drury worked at the brewery Luggin′ them bottles &…
Green Ginger Wine Oh kiss me Maggie & take me home, For I sure…
Hestia Gone was the summer crowd with the piercing winds A cabin…
Home Rule She bore half a ton o′ sons & had to…
I'll Tell Me Ma I'll tell me ma When I go home The boys won't…
I'll Tell Me Ma! I'll tell my ma when I get home, The boys won't…
Jolly Executioner It said his blade weighed half a tonne, O’ Spanish steel,…
Kirkintilloch In Kirkintilloch there's nae pubs And I'm sure you'll wonder…
Last Orders In the event of my demise come take a spoon…
Les Darcy Tell me Father whats the craic Is Jesus really coming back A…
Marie's Wedding Step we gaily, on we go Heel for heel and toe…
McLaughlin's Rant Well I’ve come here for the gargle, not tae cop…
Motion We threw our bottles in the hollows of the trees While…
Murder Shanty Here lie the bones o' my wayward love Have mercy on…
My Time Again My Daddy he were just a boy when he walked…
No Pockets in a Shroud I′d bet you heads or tails if I could find a…
One Summers Day They married in the civic hall, avoiding all the rigmarole, …
Patron Saint O' Thieves Auld Nick patron saint o thieves, murderers & sailors Strike…
Pinchgut If I buy you a drink will you leave me…
Plenty Well I′m livin' with the mistakes I′ve made, - 'plenty more…
Roll Away Alone Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can, Come…
Sainted Millions We are the sainted millions where the howling black birds…
Saints Preserve Us I′ll be howlin' on the night your pretty lights go…
The Black Matilda By the windy shores o Canada bay I broke my…
The Bold Rumjacker Well, i am just come down through sydney town jacking…
The Foreman O'Rourke Well maybe i′m right and maybe I'm Wrong, Maybe I shouldnae…
The Jolly Executioner It said his blade weighed half a tonne, O' Spanish steel,…
The Leaky Tub Oh this Amsterdam O′ bawdy southern climes, All awash in amb…
The Pot & Kettle One smoky day in a darkened scullery Doon by the river…
The Reaper and Tam McCorty Tam he woke tae find a shadow by the bed, Blamed…
Them Fallen I know you exist, for years I have said so Though…
Uncle Tommy Early one November me Uncle Tommy joined the army, Kitted hi…
Zielona Gora Hot as hell Zielona Gora crackling smile You thief o hearts…


Dustin A.


on A Fistful O' Roses

I may be off but it seems to me, to be a song about a mans home country. A country he loved and fought for, who turned it's back on him upon his return. The chorus is in reference to him and his war buddies gathering after a funeral.

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