In Irish culture, and often in American culture as well (due to the large emigration of Irish peoples in the late 1800s and early 1900s) "Lanigan's Ball" is often used as a metaphor to describe a situation that has gone horribly awry.
The lyrics are in fact about a party funded on the inheritance of a young man's recently passed father. There is a suggestion in the lyrics that the party is thrown specifically for the young man to show off his new dancing skills which he spent months learning in Dublin. There is reference to drinking, and an accident occurring wherein some party members are offended, at which point a large "ruckus" ensues, and even a musician and his instrument are injured.
A version of this song was recorded by the American celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys on their latest studio album, The Meanest of Times. The lyrics have been significantly altered, and the title changed to "(F)lannigan's Ball", but the chorus and general meaning of the song has been retained. Jump, Little Children performs another popular version of this song with most of the lyrics retained. The Celtic fusion band Enter the Haggis also recorded this song on their album Aerials with its traditional lyrics. New York rock band the Jim C Experience did a version of the song entitled "Glennigan's Ball".
lannigan's Ball
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Brian Flannigan battered away till his money was spent
Then he hit a big one and felt like a man again,
Bought a three decker with two floors for rent
He threw a big party for friends
And relations at a grand old place called Florian Hall
And if you'll just listen, I'll make your eyes glisten
Six long months I spent in quincy
Six long months doing nothing at all
Six long months I spent in quincy
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
I stepped out and I stepped in again
I stepped out and I stepped in again
I stepped out and I stepped in again
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
Free beer on tap and wine for the ladies
Ziti and sauce for Mark Porzio
There were faheys and bradys
Mcauliffes and daleys courtin the girls and dancing away
Brian tully sang out in his finest form
The patron's responded and I lead 'em all
I'd spent six months at Forbes Academy
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
Six long months I spent in quincy
Six long months doing nothing at all
Six long months I spent in quincy
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
I stepped out and I stepped in again
I stepped out and I stepped in again
I stepped out and I stepped in again
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
The boys were hammered the girls were hearty
Dancing around in couples and groups
An accident happened, young Dennis Flemming
Put his right leg through miss Finneran's hoops
This gal she fainted and cried bloody murder
Called for her sons and gathered them all
Christopher swore he'd go no further
Till he had revenge at Flannigan's ball
Six long months I spent in quincy
Six long months doing nothing at all
Six long months I spent in quincy
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
I stepped out and I stepped in again
I stepped out and I stepped in again
I stepped out and I stepped in again
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
In the midst of the melee
Miss Collins fainted her cheeks by now were as red as a rose
Some of the boys declared she was plastered
Had a small drop too much I suppose
Young Scotty Jenkins so big and able
Saw his fair colleen stretched by the wall
Tore the left leg from under the table
And smashed all the dishes at Flannigan's ball
Boy, oh, boy, now this was a rumble
Myself took a lick from mean Ricky Green
But I soon replied to that fine introduction
And gave him a terrible kick in the spleen
Talent the piper nearly got strangled
They squeezed on his bellows, chanters and all
The girls in the middle nearly got trampled
And that put an end to Flannigan's ball
Six long months I spent in quincy
Six long months doing nothing at all
Six long months I spent in quincy
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
I stepped out and I stepped in again
I stepped out and I stepped in again
I stepped out and I stepped in again
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
The song "Lannigan's Ball" by Dropkick Murphys tells the story of a man named Brian Flannigan who becomes wealthy after hitting it big and buys a three-decker with two floors for rent. He decides to throw a big party for his friends and family at a grand old place called Florian Hall. The party is a wild night of dancing, drinking, and merrymaking, with free beer on tap, wine for the ladies, ziti and sauce for Mark Porzio, and lots of courtship and dancing, all set to the music of the piper Talent. However, the party takes a turn for the worse when a series of mishaps and accidents occur, such as a man putting his leg through a hoop, a woman fainting, and a fight breaking out. Despite all of this, the guests keep dancing until the very end, with the song ending after Brian Flannigan declares the end of the party, putting an end to the festivities.
The song's title, "Lannigan's Ball," is actually a reference to an old Irish tune by the same name. The original song, which tells the story of a similar wild dance party, is said to have been written by a man named Tom Lannigan in the 1800s. The Dropkick Murphys version of the song adds to the story and changes some elements, but still takes inspiration from the original.
Aside from its historical roots, "Lannigan's Ball" also speaks to the universal experience of throwing a wild and unforgettable party. The lyrics describe the joy and excitement of letting loose and dancing the night away, but also acknowledge the potential for mishaps and accidents that can occur when too much alcohol is involved. Overall, the song paints a picture of a night filled with laughter, romance, and good music, and celebrates the spirit of Irish culture and community.
Line by Line Meaning
In the town of Milton one
The story takes place in the town of Milton.
Brian Flannigan battered away till his money was spent
Brian Flannigan spent all his money.
Then he hit a big one and felt like a man again,
Brian Flannigan won a large sum of money.
Bought a three decker with two floors for rent
He used the money to buy a multi-story building to rent out.
He threw a big party for friends
Brian Flannigan threw a large party.
And relations at a grand old place called Florian Hall
The party was held at a popular venue called Florian Hall.
To the rows and the ructions of Flannigan's ball
The song is about the chaos and commotion that happened at the party.
Six long months I spent in quincy
The singer spent six months in Quincy, Massachusetts.
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
During this time, the singer was learning to dance for the upcoming party.
Free beer on tap and wine for the ladies
Free drinks were available at the party for both men and women.
Ziti and sauce for Mark Porzio
Mark Porzio was specifically served ziti and sauce.
There were faheys and bradys
People named Fahey and Brady were present at the party.
Mcauliffes and daleys courtin the girls and dancing away
Men named McAuliffe and Daley were dancing with the women.
Brian tully sang out in his finest form
Brian Tully sang a song at the party very well.
I'd spent six months at Forbes Academy
The singer had attended Forbes Academy to learn how to dance.
The boys were hammered the girls were hearty
The men were drunk and the women were full of energy.
Put his right leg through miss Finneran's hoops
A man named Dennis Fleming accidentally put his leg through a woman's hula hoop.
Called for her sons and gathered them all
The woman called for her sons to help her.
Till he had revenge at Flannigan's ball
One of the sons vowed to get revenge at the party.
Miss Collins fainted her cheeks by now were as red as a rose
A woman named Miss Collins fainted and her face turned bright red.
Some of the boys declared she was plastered
Some of the men thought that Miss Collins was drunk.
Had a small drop too much I suppose
They assumed she had too much to drink.
Saw his fair colleen stretched by the wall
A man named Scotty Jenkins saw his girlfriend against a wall.
And smashed all the dishes at Flannigan's ball
In a fit of anger, Scotty Jenkins smashed all of the dishes at the party.
Myself took a lick from mean Ricky Green
The singer got into a fight with a man named Ricky Green.
But I soon replied to that fine introduction
The singer fought back against Ricky Green.
And gave him a terrible kick in the spleen
The singer kicked Ricky Green in the stomach.
The girls in the middle nearly got trampled
During the melee, the women in the middle almost got hurt.
And that put an end to Flannigan's ball
The fight and chaos that ensued brought the party to an end.
Lyrics © SPIRIT TWO SMA
Written by: AL BARR, TIM BRENNAN, KEN CASEY, MATT KELLY, JAMES LYNCH, MARC ORRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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