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)
Tessie
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tessie is the tune they always sung
Tessie echoed April through October nights
After serenading Stahl, Dineen and Young
Tessie is a maiden with the sparkling eyes
Tessie is a maiden with the love
She doesn't know the meaning of her sight
She's got a comment full of love
Tessie always carried them away
Up the road from Third Base to Huntington
The boys will always sing and sway
Two! Three! Four!
Tessie, Nuff Ced McGreevy shouted
We're not here to mess around
Boston, you know we love you madly
Hear the crowd roar to your sound
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
You know we couldn't live without you
Tessie, you are the only, only, only
The Rooters showed up at the Grounds one day
They found their seats had all been sold
Mcgreevy led the charge into the park
Stormed the gates and put the game on hold
The Rooters gave the other team a dreadful fright
Boston's tenth man could not be wrong
Up from Third Base to Huntington
They sang another victory song
Two! Three! Four!
Tessie, Nuff Ced McGreevy shouted
We're not here to mess around
Boston, you know we love you madly
Hear the crowd roar to your sound
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
You know we couldn't live without you
Tessie, you are the only, only, only
The Rooters gave the other team a dreadful fright
Boston's tenth man could not be wrong
Up from Third Base to Huntington
They sang another victory song
Two! Three! Four!
Tessie, Nuff Ced McGreevy shouted
We're not here to mess around
Boston, you know we love you madly
Hear the crowd roar to your sound
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
You know we couldn't live without you
Tessie, you are the only, only, only
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
You know we couldn't live without you
Boston, you are the only, only, only
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
You know we couldn't live without you
Red Sox, you are the only, only, only
The song "Tessie" by Dropkick Murphys is a tribute to the Royal Rooters, a group of fans that supported the Boston Red Sox. The song references Tessie, the Rooters' rally cry and a popular tune that they sang to support the team during games. The lyrics describe Tessie as a maiden with sparkling eyes and a heart full of love, who always carried the team to victory when the game was on the line.
The song also details a historical event involving the Royal Rooters. One day, they arrived at the baseball grounds to find that their seats had been sold out. Led by Nuff Ced McGreevy, they stormed the gates and put the game on hold until they could find seats. This event is referenced in the second verse of the song, where the Rooters are described as giving the other team a "dreadful fright".
Overall, "Tessie" is a tribute to the passion and dedication of the Royal Rooters, and their unwavering support for the Boston Red Sox. The song has become an important part of Red Sox culture, and is often played at games to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Tessie is the Royal Rooters rally cry
Tessie is an important song used by the Royal Rooters to rally and motivate themselves and their fellow fans.
Tessie is the tune they always sung
The Royal Rooters always sang Tessie as their go-to song during baseball games.
Tessie echoed April through October nights
The song Tessie was frequently heard throughout baseball season, from April until October.
After serenading Stahl, Dineen and Young
After singing and cheering for their favorite players like Stahl, Dineen, and Young, the Royal Rooters would sing Tessie.
Tessie is a maiden with the sparkling eyes
Tessie is personified as a pretty, young woman with shining bright eyes.
Tessie is a maiden with the love
Tessie represents love, passion, and enthusiasm for the game of baseball and the Boston Red Sox team.
She doesn't know the meaning of her sight
Tessie is not aware of the impact and importance of her presence, which serves as a symbol of the fans' love for the game.
She's got a comment full of love
Tessie is characterized as having a heart filled with pure love and admiration for the baseball team.
And sometimes when the game is on the line
During critical moments of a game, Tessie had the power to inspire and influence the fans and players to perform their best.
Tessie always carried them away
The song Tessie has the capability of carrying fans and players with a sense of excitement and motivation, leading to increased performance and success.
Up the road from Third Base to Huntington
The fans would sing Tessie while walking from Third Base to Huntington Avenue Grounds, the former original ballpark of the Boston Red Sox.
The boys will always sing and sway
The fans, or the 'boys', will always sing and dance while listening to the song Tessie.
Tessie, Nuff Ced McGreevy shouted
Nuff Ced McGreevy, an early member of the Royal Rooters, shouted 'Tessie' to pump up the fans and get them to sing along.
We're not here to mess around
The fans were serious and passionate about their support for the Boston Red Sox and the game of baseball.
Boston, you know we love you madly
The fans express their deep and intense love for the city of Boston and the Red Sox team through their enthusiastic support.
Hear the crowd roar to your sound
The fans' cheers and singing create a deafening sound, further emphasizing their love and support for the team.
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
When the team struggles or faces setbacks, fans may momentarily experience doubt and skepticism, but that does not mean they do not love or support the team.
You know we couldn't live without you
Despite momentary doubt, fans cannot imagine their lives without the Boston Red Sox and the game of baseball in their lives.
The Rooters showed up at the Grounds one day
The Royal Rooters once showed up at Huntington Avenue Grounds, only to discover that their seats had been sold out.
They found their seats had all been sold
The seats that the Royal Rooters expected to sit in were already taken, adding to their frustration and anger.
Mcgreevy led the charge into the park
Nuff Ced McGreevy, with his 'Tessie' chant, led the other members of the Royal Rooters into the baseball park.
Stormed the gates and put the game on hold
The Royal Rooters broke the gates and effectively suspended the start of the game for an intervening period due to their actions.
The Rooters gave the other team a dreadful fright
The opposing team was intimidated and frightened by the sheer volume and energy of the Royal Rooters cheering section.
Boston's tenth man could not be wrong
The fans' role as a 'tenth man' in helping the team win was essential, as they were unwavering in their support and dedication.
Red Sox, you are the only, only, only
The song concludes with the Royal Rooters expressing their love and dedication to the Boston Red Sox team, emphasizing that they are the only one that truly matters.
Lyrics © SPIRIT TWO SMA
Written by: Alexander Barr, James P. Lynch, Kenneth W. Casey, Marc John Orrell, Mathew E. Kelly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ken Johnston
Tessie is the Royal Rooters rally cry
Tessie is the tune they always sung
Tessie echoed April through October nights
After serenading Stahl, Dineen and Young
Tessie is a maiden with the sparkling eyes
Tessie is a maiden with the love
She doesn't know the meaning of her sight
She's got a comment full of love
And sometimes when the game is on the line
Tessie always carried them away
Up the road from Third Base to Huntington
The boys will always sing and sway
Two! Three! Four!
Tessie, Nuff Ced McGreevy shouted
We're not here to mess around
Boston, you know we love you madly
Hear the crowd roar to your sound
Don't blame us if we ever doubt you
You know we couldn't live without you
Tessie, you are the only, only, only
The Rooters showed up at the Grounds one day…
Evan
This song has an insane amount of energy in it. MVP BASEBALL 2005!!
johnthekiwi
Matched only by "Back in the Mud" in the annals of EA Sports history
andrew tarzia
The song never gets old
Thomas Ferrusi
GO SOX ⚾
Daniel Mead
This better get you excited for some baseball regardless of what team you root for.
KNorth
@Bob Melcher how's that working out this season?
Bob Melcher
@KNorth plenty of season left, they’ll bounce into the playoffs and dominate
gretchenaro
My granddaughter is named Tessie because we are Red Sox fans. This song gives me chills.
Robert Orrell
My grandson is named Jacoby. After you guessed it. Ellsbury. Ouch! Lol
Tibbz1313
This song has been on repeat since my Red Sox clinched the Wild Card in 2021, still a long way to go but let's go Sox and thank you Dropkick Murphy's for the amazing song and music you have always written!!!!🤘❤🔥