Damien Dempsey (born 1975 in Donaghmede, Dublin) is an Irish singer and son… Read Full Bio ↴Damien Dempsey (born 1975 in Donaghmede, Dublin) is an Irish singer and songwriter who mixes traditional Irish folk with contemporary lyrics to deliver social commentary on the positive and negative aspects arising from Ireland's Celtic Tiger society. He sings in English, and to a lesser extent in Irish.

Dempsey's earliest musical influences were the post-pub singsongs that his parents used to have at their home when he was a toddler. Good, bad or indifferent, everyone had to sing. Today his unique sound reflects the influence of traditional Sean-Nós as well as his musical heroes: Bob Marley and Elvis Presley.

After completing his secondary education,Dempsey went on to the Ballyfermot "Rock School" for 2 years where he studied musical performance as well as the practical side of the music industry. The school had its own small record label and star students were awarded a release on the label. Damien was chosen for that honour and the EP, "The Contender", was released in 1995.

In 1997 "Dublin Town", Dempsey's first commercial single, reached No. 18 in the Irish charts. Ireland's HOT PRESS remarked that it was "..an underground anthem for disaffected youth and closet balladeer alike". A re-recorded version of the song appeared on Dempsey's first album; "They Don't Teach This Shit In School" released in 2000.

His next release, the "Negative Vibes EP", (2002) featured Sinéad O'Connor on the title track and led to an invitation to support Sinéad on her 2002/2003 Irish, UK and European tour.

Dempsey's second album, "Seize the Day", was released May 2003 in Ireland on Clear Records via Sony and entered the charts first week of release at No. 5. It has since achieved double-platinum sales. Released in May 2004 in the UK on IRL, the album was awarded "CD of the Week" in the Sunday Times and received enthusiastic reviews in the National and music press.

Nominated in 4 categories in the 2004 Irish Meteor Awards, Dempsey walked away with two, the only 2004 double winner.

A documentary, "It's All Good: The Damien Dempsey Story" by independent filmmaker Dara McCluskey, that followed Dempsey's career progression up to the release of "Seize the Day", was broadcast on Ireland's national TV station RTE and shown at film festivals in Ireland and New York.

During 2004, Dempsey toured extensively headlining his own shows as well as supporting Bob Dylan during the Irish leg of his European tour and making his debut appearances at The Fleadh and Womad.

Dempsey has earned the passionate support of his peers, one of whom is Morrissey who invited him to support him on various UK and Irish dates as well as his autumn 2004 US tour. Morrissey went on to sign Dempsey to his Attack label, and "Seize the Day" had its U.S. release in October 2004.

His third album, "Shots", simultaneously released in Ireland and the UK in March 2005, entered the Irish album charts at Number 1 and achieved platinum status in December 2005.

In February 2006, Dempsey increased his Meteor Awards by winning in The Best Irish Male category.

Recorded in December 2005 at Dublin's Olympia Theatre and released in June 2006 in both Ireland and the UK, Dempsey's first live album, "Live at The Olympia", entered the Irish album chart at Number 10.

Happy Christmas
Damien Dempsey Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

And so this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
A new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young

And a very Merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
This world is so wrong
So this is Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

And a very very Merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

War is over
If you want it
War is over
Now
War is over
If you want it
War is over
Now

War is over
If you want it

War is over
Now

Overall Meaning

In Damien Dempsey's song "Happy Christmas," he explores the themes of hope, unity, and peace. The song starts by reflecting on the passing of another year and the beginning of a new one. Dempsey urges us to not forget to have fun and spend time with those who are near and dear to us, irrespective of their age or any other factors that may divide us. Christmas should be a time when all barriers are broken down, and people come together in harmony.

However, the song takes a somber turn as Dempsey acknowledges the inequality, injustice, and the wrongs of the world. He acknowledges that the world is not perfect, and there are differences between people, but urges everyone to put aside their differences and come together in unity. It is a call for peace and an end to all conflicts, especially those based on race and ethnicity. The final lines of the song, "War is over if you want it," serve as a reminder that it is within our power to make a change, and we have to take action if we want to see an end to war and conflict.

Overall, "Happy Christmas" is a powerful call for unity, peace, and reconciliation. It exemplifies the spirit of the holiday season and reminds us that we can make a change if we come together as a community.

Line by Line Meaning

And so this is Christmas
It's Christmas time again

And what have you done
What did you accomplish this year?

Another year over
This year has come to a close

A new one just begun
A new year has just started

And so this is Christmas
It's still Christmas time

I hope you have fun
I hope you enjoy the festivities

The near and the dear ones
Those close to your heart

The old and the young
Both the elderly and the youth

And a very Merry Christmas
Wishing you a very happy Christmas

And a happy new year
Wishing you a joyful upcoming year

Let's hope it's a good one
Let's hope this year is a good one