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)
Boys on the Docks
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone,
We came to this country, you made it our home.
This man so humble, this man so brave.
A legend to many, he fought to his grave.
Saved family and friends from the hardship and horror,
Say Johnny me boy, this ones for you.
With the strength of many and the courage of few.
To what do we owe this man who's fight
was for the masses, he gave his life.
Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone,
We came to this country, you made it our home.
A friend to the locals who dabbled in crime.
He'd give you a job and he'd give you his time.
He wasn't a crook, but he couldn't be conned.
John knew the difference between right and wrong.
Say Johnny me boy, you live no longer,
Others forgotten, your memory's stronger.
Lets drink to the causes in your life:
Your family, your friends, the union, your wife.
Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone.
We came to this country, you made it our home.
Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone.
We came to this country, you made it our home.
And the boys on the docks needed John for sure.
When they came to this country he opened the door.
He said "Man I'll tell ya, they don't like our kind.
Though it starts with a fist it must end with your mind."
Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone.
We came to this country you made it our home.
The lyrics to “Boys on the Docks” by Dropkick Murphys salute one Johnny, who is praised for his heroic deeds and his contributions to the community. The first verse declares “Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call. United we stand, divided we fall. Together we are what we can't be alone, We came to this country, you made it our home.” This suggests that Johnny is a leader and a unifying figure who has brought many people together despite their differences. The second verse presents Johnny as a savior of sorts in a time of great hardship and gloom. “This man so humble, this man so brave. A legend to many, he fought to his grave. Saved family and friends from the hardship and horror, in a land of depression he gave hope for tomorrow.” Johnny here is depicted as an ordinary man who had the courage and strength to fight for the people who needed him most.
The song continues to pay homage to Johnny, who is praised for his good deeds and his steadfast moral compass. He is presented as a friend to the locals who was always there for those who needed him. “A friend to the locals who dabbled in crime. He'd give you a job and he'd give you his time. He wasn't a crook, but he couldn't be conned. John knew the difference between right and wrong.” The chorus echoes Johnny’s call to arms, uniting the people and giving them a sense of strength and purpose. It celebrates the sense of community and belonging that Johnny helped create: “Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call. United we stand, divided we fall. Together we are what we can't be alone. We came to this country, you made it our home.”
Line by Line Meaning
Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call.
Calling on Johnny as a symbol of strength and courage for the cause.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we must stand in order to succeed, as division leads to failure.
Together we are what we can't be alone,
Our collective strength and unity is more powerful than any individual effort.
We came to this country, you made it our home.
Gratitude towards John for welcoming and providing a home to those who immigrated to America.
This man so humble, this man so brave.
John was a modest and courageous man.
A legend to many, he fought to his grave.
John's legacy lives on as a hero who fought passionately for his cause until his death.
Saved family and friends from the hardship and horror,
John helped those close to him through difficult times.
in a land of depression he gave hope for tomorrow.
John's actions gave hope to those struggling during the Great Depression.
With the strength of many and the courage of few.
John's courage was unmatched and inspired those around him to fight for their cause together.
To what do we owe this man who's fight
Reflecting on the immense debt owed to John for his tireless efforts.
was for the masses, he gave his life.
John's fight was for the greater good, even if it cost him his life.
A friend to the locals who dabbled in crime.
John had relationships with members of the community who had involvement with criminal activity.
He'd give you a job and he'd give you his time.
John was generous with his time and resources to help those around him.
He wasn't a crook, but he couldn't be conned.
John was an honest man who couldn't be deceived or taken advantage of.
John knew the difference between right and wrong.
John had a strong moral compass and always did what he believed was right.
Others forgotten, your memory's stronger.
John's memory has endured despite the loss of others along the way.
Lets drink to the causes in your life:
Celebrating the various causes that John fought for during his life.
Your family, your friends, the union, your wife.
The causes that John fought for specifically include his loved ones and labor rights.
And the boys on the docks needed John for sure.
John was essential in helping the dock workers and their cause.
When they came to this country he opened the door.
John played a significant role in welcoming and providing opportunity for immigrants.
He said "Man I'll tell ya, they don't like our kind.
John recognized and spoke truthfully about the systemic discrimination against certain groups.
Though it starts with a fist it must end with your mind."
John believed that while fighting may be necessary at times, true change only comes through changing hearts and minds.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEN CASEY, MATTHEW EDWARD KELLY, RICK BARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ravenenjoyer7255
Lyrics:
Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone,
We came to this country, you made it our home.
This man so humble, this man so brave.
A legend to many, he fought to his grave.
Saved family and friends from the hardship and horror,
in a land of depression he gave hope for tomorrow.
Say Johnny me boy, this ones for you.
With the strength of many and the courage of few.
To what do we owe this man who's fight
was for the masses, he gave his life.
Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone,
We came to this country, you made it our home.
A friend to the locals who dabbled in crime.
He'd give you a job and he'd give you his time.
He wasn't a crook, but he couldn't be conned.
John knew the difference between right and wrong.
Say Johnny me boy, you live no longer,
Others forgotten, your memory's stronger.
Lets drink to the causes in your life:
Your family, your friends, the union, your wife.
Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone.
We came to this country, you made it our home.
[x2]
And the boys on the docks needed John for sure.
When they came to this country he opened the door.
He said "Man I'll tell ya, they don't like our kind.
Though it starts with a fist it must end with your mind."
Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone.
We came to this country you made it our home.
@mikedee9667
One of the greatest punk albums Ever the first one I bought the music makes me proud to be Irish... As if I needed another reason
@Killjoyfiend
🍀
@adriandowney4394
☘️
@MrCola122695
10/10 one of my favorite songs from them
@MisatoMonday
That line though. " Lets drink to the causes in your life: Your family, your friends, the union, your wife."
@angelamarienajera3430
3
@sunnyvaledrunk6688
Drink to my friends and family...fuck off to my enemies!
@amberfinnbogason1039
🥰
@sk8_josh707
One of the best lines ever being that I’m a happily married family man that’s in a union and have a few friends I may be a little bias lol
@Filosofem2008
best murphys ever...great memories back in late 90´s and early 2000´s