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)
My Hero
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that's what dear old Dad would say
Remember, you're a man when you finally have your moment
See fate and fortune come your way
I wouldn't take you wisdom, Dad, and thank you for your time
You said, some keep on working 'til the stars, one day, align
But maybe luck'll see them shine on stubborn fools like me and you
To yourself you must be true
I don't wanna live to fight another day
If things don't always go our way
I don't wanna live to fight another day
That's what my old man would say
May the spirits all be with you, when the devil turns his back
When the day is at its darkest, and anxiety attacks
Call on me to see you through it, call on me to be your guide
I'll be there, so when you need me I'll be standing by your side
I'll be standing by your side
I don't wanna live to fight another day
If things don't always go our way
I don't wanna live to fight another day
That's what my old man would say
My hero, Maharr!
My hero, Maharr!
My hero, Maharr!
My hero, Maharr!
To yourself you must be true!
To yourself you must be true!
I don't wanna live to fight another day
If things don't always go our way
I don't wanna live to fight another day
That's what my old man would say
My hero
My hero
The Dropkick Murphys' song My Hero pays tribute to a father figure who has imparted valuable advice to the singer. The track starts with a blessing to the listener that he may have good fortune on his life's journey. The father's words of wisdom are then recounted, advising the listener to stay true to himself by making the most of what he was given while waiting for his moment to arrive. The singer acknowledges that, at times, luck might favor stubborn people like him or his father, but ultimately, he must be accountable for his decisions and live true to his own beliefs.
The second verse speaks of being there for the person when they need it the most, serving as a loyal companion and ally who will always be by their side through the good and bad times.
The chorus repeats four times, underlining the phrase "My hero" and emphasizing the importance of listening to other people's advice.
Line by Line Meaning
May the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back
May fortune and good luck be on your side, and may things go smoothly for you in all your endeavors.
And that's what dear old Dad would say
A common saying from the singer's father, indicating his belief in the importance of good luck and well-wishes.
Remember, you're a man when you finally have your moment
When the time comes for you to shine and make your mark on the world, that will be the moment when you truly become a man.
See fate and fortune come your way
If you work hard and stay true to yourself, good things will eventually come your way through luck and fate.
I wouldn't take your wisdom, Dad, and thank you for your time
The artist is grateful for his father's advice, but ultimately believes in his own stubbornness and ability to forge his own path in life.
You said, some keep on working 'til the stars, one day, align
The father suggested that hard work and perseverance could eventually result in good fortune and success, even if it takes a long time to arrive.
But maybe luck'll see them shine on stubborn fools like me and you
The singer acknowledges that he and his father are both stubborn and perhaps unlucky, but still believes they can find success through sheer determination and hard work.
Make the most of what they give ya, to yourself you must be true
The key to success is making the most of what you have and staying true to yourself and your values.
I don't wanna live to fight another day
The artist wants to find success and happiness in life, rather than constantly struggling and fighting against adversity.
If things don't always go our way
Even if things don't work out perfectly or according to plan, the artist still wants to maintain hope and positivity.
May the spirits all be with you, when the devil turns his back
When life is at its most challenging and overwhelming, the singer hopes that spiritual forces will be on his side to help him overcome adversity and keep moving forward.
When the day is at its darkest, and anxiety attacks
During times of extreme stress and anxiety, the artist hopes to find the strength and resilience to keep going.
Call on me to see you through it, call on me to be your guide
The singer is willing to offer support and guidance to anyone who needs it, in order to help them overcome life's challenges and find their way forward.
I'll be there, so when you need me I'll be standing by your side
The singer is committed to being there for others in their times of need, offering a guiding hand and unwavering support.
My hero, Maharr!
The singer expresses their admiration and gratitude for someone named Maharr, perhaps a mentor or role model.
To yourself you must be true!
Above all else, the artist believes in the importance of being true to oneself and one's own values and beliefs.
My hero
The artist reiterates their admiration for their hero figure, and suggests that they will continue to look up to them for inspiration and guidance.
Lyrics © SPIRIT TWO SMA
Written by: ALEXANDER BARR, JAMES P. LYNCH, JEFF DAROSA, KENNETH W. CASEY, MATHEW E. KELLY, TIMOTHY JOHN BRENNAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexbrito1977
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be at your back
Yeah, that's what dear old Dad would say
Remember your old man
When you've finally had your moment
Should fame and fortune come your way
I wouldn't trade your wisdom, Dad
I thank you for your time
You said “son, keep on working 'til the stars one day align”
But maybe luck don't seem to shine
On stubborn fools like me and you
Make the most of what they give you
To yourself you must be true
To yourself you must be true
And we'll live
To fight another day
Things don't always go our way
And we'll live
To fight another day
Yeah, that's what my old man would say
May the spirits all be with you
May the Devil turn his back
When the day is at its darkest and anxiety attacks
Call on me to see you through it
Call on me to be your guide
I'll be there, son, when you need me
I'll be standing by your side
I'll be standing by your side
And we'll live
To fight another day
Things don't always go our way
And we'll live
To fight another day
Yea, that's what my old man would say
My hero, my heart
My hero, my heart
My hero, my heart
My Hero, my heart
To yourself you must be true
To yourself you must be true
And we'll live
To fight another day
Things don't always go our way
And we'll live
To fight another day
Yea, that's what my old man would say
My Hero
My Hero
@brianshaughnessy6328
Lost my old man 2 years ago. Brings me to tears every time......love ya DKM!!!
@jasonlittlesnothin2somethi744
5 years ago today. RIP Old Man.
@Featus89
Lost my dad 3 weeks ago and this brings me the greatest memories and thoughts in such a tough time!
@sebbykaiser6466
I know it's been 8 years since you made this comment but I sincerely hope you recovered from your loss
@philliphampton5183
@Sebby Kaiser here to say the same thing brother.
@philliphampton5183
He’s smiling on you the same as he ever was brother. Dads are undefeated
@jamezwhite707
One of the best songs theyve done
@alanhacker9820
the tears.... losing it.... yep, lost it. yep
@drippitydroppity
rip, dad. i will always love you.
@alexbrito1977
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be at your back
Yeah, that's what dear old Dad would say
Remember your old man
When you've finally had your moment
Should fame and fortune come your way
I wouldn't trade your wisdom, Dad
I thank you for your time
You said “son, keep on working 'til the stars one day align”
But maybe luck don't seem to shine
On stubborn fools like me and you
Make the most of what they give you
To yourself you must be true
To yourself you must be true
And we'll live
To fight another day
Things don't always go our way
And we'll live
To fight another day
Yeah, that's what my old man would say
May the spirits all be with you
May the Devil turn his back
When the day is at its darkest and anxiety attacks
Call on me to see you through it
Call on me to be your guide
I'll be there, son, when you need me
I'll be standing by your side
I'll be standing by your side
And we'll live
To fight another day
Things don't always go our way
And we'll live
To fight another day
Yea, that's what my old man would say
My hero, my heart
My hero, my heart
My hero, my heart
My Hero, my heart
To yourself you must be true
To yourself you must be true
And we'll live
To fight another day
Things don't always go our way
And we'll live
To fight another day
Yea, that's what my old man would say
My Hero
My Hero