The trio is currently ranked as the highest-selling female musical group in the USA, according to RIAA Gold & Platinum album certifications. As of 2012, The Chicks had won 13 Grammy Awards. While The Chicks continues, Maguire and Robison are writing and recording as Court Yard Hounds as of Feb 2010. The Dixie Chicks renamed the band in 2020 to The Chicks dropping Dixie from the official name as the name had the word 'Dixie' referencing the American Mason–Dixon line, which separated the free and slave-owning southern states.
Robin Lynn Macy was an original bandmember, as was Laura Lynch. Macy left the group in 1992, while Lynch was replaced by Natalie Maines in 1995.
The group aroused considerable controversy for publicly denouncing President George W. Bush and the imminent invasion of Iraq during the European leg of their Top of the World tour supporting Home. Many country music stations immediately pulled their music from the air, and the band received criticism from many corners of the media.
Irish Medley
Dixie Chicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd set my foot on a steamboat and sail the ocean 'round
Sailing 'round the ocean, sailing 'round the sea
I think of handsome Molly wherever she may be
I am a beggarman and a beggin' I have been
For three score or more on this lil' isle of green
I'm known from the Liffy on down to Segu
Of all the trades a-goin' sure a-beggin' is the best
When a man gets tired he can lay his head to rest
He can beg for his supper when there's nothing else to do
Or go sit 'round the corner in his ol' rigadoo
We slept one night in a barn in Clairebon
We went naked all night and slept until the dawn
Holes in the roof and the rain a-pourin' through
And the cats and the rats they were a-playin peek-a-boo
Who should awaken but the woman of the house
In a white spotted apron and a calico blouse
She began to frighten and I said "Boo!"
"Don't be afraid ma'am, it's only Johnny Doo!"
Over the fields with a pack on my back
Over the hills with a creak in me sack
Holes in my shoes and my toes peekin' through
Singing "Shinkle and a wrinkle it's only Johnny Doo!"
Well, it's getting late at night and it's time to go to bed
And the fire's all out and whoops goes the light
Now you know the story of the old rigadoo
So good night and God be with you says Little Johnny Doo
The Dixie Chicks' rendition of Irish Medley is a beautiful and upbeat combination of different traditional Irish folk songs. The lyrics reflect the life of a beggarman in Ireland relying on the kindness of strangers and wandering from place to place with nothing but a sack on his back. The first verse talks about the wanderlust of the beggarman, wishing to set sail from a seaport and see the world, while also thinking about his beloved, Molly.
The second verse speaks more directly to the beggarman's life, describing it as the best trade, where a man can lay his head down to rest when he's tired, and beg for his supper when there's nothing else to do, or sit around the corner in his "ol' rigadoo", which is likely a term for a makeshift shelter. The third verse has a humorous and playful tone, describing a night spent in a barn where the beggarman and his companions slept naked while it rained, and the cats and the rats played peek-a-boo. They are then awakened by a woman of the house who is initially frightened but is then reassured by the beggarman. The last verse speaks of the beggarman's travels over hills and fields, with his shoes in tatters and his toes peeking through, but always singing "Shinkle and a wrinkle it's only Johnny Doo!"
Overall, the song captures the spirit of traditional Irish folk music, with its lively beats, storytelling, and playful lyrics. The Dixie Chicks' harmonies and instrumentation make it a beautiful tribute to the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I were in Dublin or some other seaport town
I desire to be in Dublin or another seaport town.
I'd set my foot on a steamboat and sail the ocean 'round
I would board a steamboat and circumnavigate the sea.
Sailing 'round the ocean, sailing 'round the sea
Navigating the ocean and the sea.
I think of handsome Molly wherever she may be
I think of my beautiful Molly, whoever knows where she is.
I am a beggarman and a beggin' I have been
I am a beggar and have begged for sixty or more years in this little green island.
For three score or more on this lil' isle of green
I have begged for sixty or more years on this small island.
I'm known from the Liffy on down to Segu
I am acknowledged throughout the Liffey to Segu region.
And I'm known by the name of Little Johnny Doo
I am recognized as Little Johnny Doo.
Of all the trades a-goin' sure a-beggin' is the best
Begging is regarded to be the best of all trades.
When a man gets tired he can lay his head to rest
A man can rest if he gets exhausted.
He can beg for his supper when there's nothing else to do
If there is nothing else to do, he may plead for his supper.
Or go sit 'round the corner in his ol' rigadoo
Alternatively he can just sit around the corner in his old realm.
We slept one night in a barn in Clairebon
We passed one night in a Clairebon barn.
We went naked all night and slept until the dawn
We were undressed during the night and remained asleep until daybreak.
Holes in the roof and the rain a-pourin' through
The roof has gaps, and the rain is coming through.
And the cats and the rats they were a-playin peek-a-boo
The cats and rats were playing peek-a-boo.
Who should awaken but the woman of the house
The woman of the house was awakened.
In a white spotted apron and a calico blouse
She was dressed in a spotted white apron and a calico blouse.
She began to frighten and I said 'Boo!'
She became frightened, and I shouted 'Boo!'
Don't be afraid ma'am, it's only Johnny Doo!
Do not be frightened, madam, it is only Johnny Doo!
Over the fields with a pack on my back
I carry my package over the fields.
Over the hills with a creak in me sack
I have a groan in my bag as I walk up hilly areas.
Holes in my shoes and my toes peekin' through
There are gaps in my shoes, and my toes are visible through them.
Singing 'Shinkle and a wrinkle it's only Johnny Doo!'
Singing 'Shinkle and a wrinkle, it is just me, Johnny Doo!'
Well, it's getting late at night and it's time to go to bed
It is late at night and time to retire.
And the fire's all out and whoops goes the light
The fire is extinguished, and the light goes out.
Now you know the story of the old rigadoo
Now you are aware of the narrative of the old rigadoo.
So good night and God be with you says Little Johnny Doo
Good night, and God bless says Little Johnny Doo.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RONALD HAZLEHURST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yisraelforeman904
I love this song because it brings Country Music back to its Irish Folk Music roots. A beautiful song beautifully performed.
@Britishdude9
Thank you:)