Dropkick Murphys is a punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts, Unite… Read Full Bio ↴Dropkick Murphys is a punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts, United States in 1996. First playing together in the basement of a friend's barbershop, the band made a name for itself because of its relentless touring and for its annual St. Patrick's Day weekend shows in Boston. The band's songs often deal with Celtic influences, and the working-class environment in which the band members grew up.

The band put out a series of EPs and was signed by Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong's label Hellcat Records. In 1998, the Dropkick Murphys released their first full-length album, Do Or Die. Lead singer Mike McColgan, who left the band later that year, was replaced by The Bruisers lead singer Al Barr. In 1999, they released their followup album, The Gang's All Here. In 2001, they released their third album, Sing Loud, Sing Proud. The album showcased the group’s developing sound and included collaborations with The Pogues' frontman Shane MacGowan and Cock Sparrer's Colin McFaull. It also marked a significant lineup change for the band. Original guitarist Rick Barton was replaced by former The Ducky Boys' guitarists James Lynch and Marc Orrell; instruments were added and played by new members Ryan Foltz and Spicy McHaggis.

The Dropkick Murphys' next album, Blackout, was released in 2003. The new album included the radio hit "Walk Away," as well as the songs "Fields of Athenry" and "The Dirty Glass." The latter features female vocals by Stephanie Dougherty (Deadly Sins). Around the same time, the band released a re-working of the Boston Red Sox anthem "Tessie," which then became the official song of the team's 2004 World Series run. "Tessie" was also used throughout the major motion picture Fever Pitch and was included on the EA Sports MVP Baseball 2005 soundtrack. In 2005, the Dropkick Murphys released Singles Collection Volume 2, featuring covers, B-sides, and other material that didn't make it onto previous albums, and the band contributed a recording of "We Got the Power" to Rock Against Bush, Volume 2.

The Dropkick Murphys' fifth studio album, The Warrior's Code, was released on June 21, 2005. It features the singles "Sunshine Highway," "The Walking Dead," "The Warrior's Code," as well as the bonus track "Tessie." It also includes a song that was inspired by a Woody Guthrie poem, which the group named "I'm Shipping Up to Boston." The song was featured in Martin Scorsese's 2006 film The Departed. Scorsese mentioned the band in an interview after winning his first Oscar.

The Dropkick Murphys released their sixth studio album, The Meanest of Times, on September 18, 2007. It was their first release not on the Hellcat Records label but instead on the label Born & Bred.

In early 2008, Marc Orrell left the band. Thereupon Tim Brennan, who had been playing mandolin, accordion, banjo, tin whistle, and guitar for the band since 2004, replaced Orrell on lead guitar. Tim's previous musical duties were taken over by Jeff DaRosa, former member of The Vigilante and Pinkerton Thugs.

In September of 2022, This Machine Still Kills Fascists was released. It's an acoustic album with unused words and lyrics written by Woody Guthrie, selected and given to the band to use by Guthrie's daughter Nora. It did not feature Al Barr, who was on hiatus for family matters.

The band will release their twelfth album, Okemah Rising, on May 12, 2023. The album was recorded during the same sessions for This Machine Still Kills Facists and like that album will feature songs using the unused lyrics by Woody Guthrie. The album was preceded by the singles "I Know How it Feels" on March 1, 2023, and "Gotta Get to Peekskill" (featuring Violent Femmes) on March 30, 2023.

Studio albums
Do or Die (1998)
The Gang's All Here (1999)
Sing Loud, Sing Proud! (2001)
Blackout (2003)
The Warrior's Code (2005)
The Meanest of Times (2007)
Going Out in Style (2011)
Signed and Sealed in Blood (2013)
11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory (2017)
Turn Up That Dial (2021)
This Machine Still Kills Fascists (2022)
Okemah Rising (2023)

As One
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I had a hat when I came in and I hung it on the rack
And I'll have a hat when I go out
Or I'll break somebody's back

Casey wore his brand new hat to Murphy's wake last night
Someone stole my hat boys, it started up a fight
Casey smashed the furniture, the radio as well
He nearly woke the corpse up when he began to yell

I had a hat when I came in and I hung it on the rack
And I'll have a hat when I go out or I'll break somebody's back
I'm a peaceful loving man, I am, and I don't want to shout
But I had a hat when I came in
I'll have a hat when I go out

Casey kept on shouting, boys, they couldn't keep him quiet
Someone phoned up for the cops to come and stop the riot
Two cops rushed into the room, but Casey laid them out
He fired them through the window, they both heard Casey shout

I had a hat when I came in and I hung it on the rack
And I'll have a hat when I go out or I'll break somebody's back
I'm a peaceful loving man, I am, and I don't want to shout
But I had a hat when I came in
I'll have a hat when I go out

I'm a peaceful loving man, I am, and I don't want to shout
But I had a hat when I came in I'll have a hat when I go out

Casey kept on shouting, boys, till one-eyed Paddy Flynn
Socked him on the whiskers with a great big rolling pin
He knocked poor Casey senseless, it was an awful clout
As he lay there unconscious Casey kept on shouting out

I had a hat when I came in and I hung it on the rack
And I'll have a hat when I go out or I'll break somebody's back
I'm a peaceful loving man, I am, and I don't want to shout
But I had a hat when I came in I'll have a hat when I go out

I'm a peaceful loving man, I am
I'm a peaceful loving man, I am
I'm a peaceful loving man, I am
(I had a hat when I came in and I hung it on the rack, I'll have a hat when I go out)
I'm a peaceful loving man, I am

(I had a hat when I came in and I hung it on the rack, I'll have a hat when I go out)
Oh break somebody's back

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dropkick Murphys's song “As One” tells a story of a man who came to a wake wearing a new hat and someone stole it. The man, Casey, becomes angry and starts a fight, destroying furniture and almost waking the dead corpse. As the chaos continues, two cops show up but Casey knocks them out and they flee. Eventually, the one-eyed Paddy Flynn knocks Casey unconscious with a rolling pin but even as he is laying there, Casey keeps shouting that he had a hat when he came in and he’ll have a hat when he goes out. The repeated phrase of “I’m a peaceful loving man, I am, and I don't want to shout” contrasts with the violent actions in the story, creating an ironic and humorous tone to the song.

The song “As One” is a tribute to Irish folk singer Finbar Furey and is featured on their 2003 album “Blackout”. Interestingly, the song was originally written by Finbar Furey and appeared on his 1977 album “The Farewell Album”. The song has also been covered by other artists such as Shane MacGowan and The Dubliners. The Dropkick Murphys often incorporate Irish folk music elements into their punk rock sound and this song is a great example of their blend of genres. Some other interesting facts about the song are:

Line by Line Meaning

I had a hat when I came in and I hung it on the rack
Casey wore his brand new hat to Murphy's wake last night

And I'll have a hat when I go out or I'll break somebody's back
Someone stole my hat boys, it started up a fight

I'm a peaceful loving man, I am, and I don't want to shout
Casey kept on shouting, boys, they couldn't keep him quiet

But I had a hat when I came in
He nearly woke the corpse up when he began to yell

I'll have a hat when I go out
Casey smashed the furniture, the radio as well

Casey kept on shouting, boys, till one-eyed Paddy Flynn
Socked him on the whiskers with a great big rolling pin

Socked him on the whiskers with a great big rolling pin
He knocked poor Casey senseless, it was an awful clout

As he lay there unconscious Casey kept on shouting out
I had a hat when I came in and I hung it on the rack

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Matthew E. Kelly, James P. Lynch, Kenneth W. Casey, Alexander Barr, Timothy John Brennan, Jeff DaRosa

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Caco Iglesias

7y↑8

Tonight my son I'll heed the call. If you're to live, then I must fall.

Just give me one more moment, another walk out in the sun
one more day to find some justice with your shadow by my side
Cuff me, tie me, lock me down, cause I'll be back to go another round

As one- my blood runs red beneath the knife,
I'll give my soul to you tonight

From early on I was on my own with no light to guide my way,
then the hand of destiny called me only now I understand
Interwoven our lives became, bonded by blood, no need to be repayed

As one... [twice]

Just give me one more moment with your shadow by my side
and we will always be together as one

All comments from YouTube:

Stergios Steven Argyrakos

14y↑2

My favourite Dropkick Murphy songs are "The Dirty Glass", "Worker's Song" and "As One"

SithianHawk

14y↑3

This is the theme song for one of my films. Currently in pre-production. "As one!"

JJ Gyzmo

12y

i watching the whole playlist right now (2012!) for the first time. at the first few songs i was like "oh hey this band is good!" and now i cant freaking stop this band is awesome!!!