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)
The Dirty Glass
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your pain was my pleasure your sorrow my joy I fear now I've lost you to health and good cheer
Darcy when I met you I was 5 years too young, a boy beyond his age or so I'd tell someone
Anyone who'd listen and a few who couldn't care still I welcomed you with open arms my love I did share
Darcy, Darcy darlin' dear you me left dying, crying there in whiskey,
Gin and pints of beer I fell for you my darling dear
You shut me off then you showed me the door
But you always came crawlin' back beggin' me for more
I showed you kindness a stool and a tab
Then you poured me my pain in a dirty glass
Yeah you left him bloody battered penniless and poor
You know I often stopped to wonder how he made through my door
With my brothers new non-duplicate registry I.D.
Well you bit off more than you could chew the first day you met me
Darcy Darcy darlin' dear, you left me dying, crying there in whiskey
Gin and pints of beer, I fell for you my darling dear
You weren't the first to court me mister you won't be the last
Oh I'm sure I wasn't honey, I know all about your past
Listen to the big shot with his pager on call you spent most of those nights in my bathroom stall
Yeah, you got him high but you left him low
Mind your own business boy how was I to know that he was just a fiend and a no good cheat
Well that's all in the past bitch cause now I got it beat
Darcy Darcy darlin' dear, you left me dying, crying there in whiskey
Gin and pints of beer, I fell for you my darling dear
Darcy Darcy darlin' dear, you left me dying, crying there in whiskey
Gin and pints of beer, I fell for you my darling dear
Darcy Darcy darlin' dear, you left me dying, crying there in whiskey
Gin and pints of beer, I fell for you my darling dear
Darcy Darcy darlin' dear, you left me dying, crying there in whiskey
Gin and pints of beer, I fell for you my darling dear
My dear, my dear
Darcy Darcy darlin' dear,
The Dirty Glass by Dropkick Murphys is a song about love, betrayal, and addiction. The lyrics tell the story of two lovers, Murphy and Darcy, whose relationship is tainted by alcohol and drug abuse. The song is written from Murphy's perspective, who longs for Darcy despite the pain and suffering she has caused him.
The first verse of the song talks about Murphy's longing for Darcy. He says that her pain was his pleasure, and her sorrow was his joy. He regrets losing her to health and good cheer, which implies that Darcy has overcome her addiction, leaving Murphy behind.
The second verse talks about how Murphy met Darcy when he was too young. He welcomed her with open arms and shared his love with her. However, Darcy left him dying and crying in whiskey, gin, and pints of beer.
The chorus repeats the lines "Darcy darlin' dear, you left me dying, crying there in whiskey, gin, and pints of beer. I fell for you, my darling dear." The repetition of these lines emphasizes the pain and suffering caused by Darcy's addiction.
The third and final verse talks about Darcy's past and her tendency to use and abuse men. Murphy tells her to mind her own business and that he has overcome his addiction. The song ends with Murphy still longing for Darcy despite everything she has put him through.
Overall, The Dirty Glass is a powerful and poignant song that reflects the struggles of addiction and the pain it can cause in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Murphy, Murphy darling dear, I long for you now night and day
Addressing former lover, expressing deep longing for their togetherness
Your pain was my pleasure your sorrow my joy I fear now I've lost you to health and good cheer
Admitting that enjoying the misery of the other person was selfish pleasure, acknowledging losing them to a better life
Darcy when I met you I was 5 years too young, a boy beyond his age or so I'd tell someone
Recalling meeting Darcy as a naive young boy believing himself wise beyond his years
Anyone who'd listen and a few who couldn't care still I welcomed you with open arms my love I did share
Describing welcoming and demonstrating love to Darcy despite the lack of reciprocation or interest of others
Darcy, Darcy darlin' dear you me left dying, crying there in whiskey, Gin and pints of beer I fell for you my darling dear
Recounting the pain and heartbreak caused by Darcy, while still admitting attachment to them
You shut me off then you showed me the door But you always came crawlin' back beggin' me for more
Describing a cycle of rejection and eventual return that occurred in the relationship
I showed you kindness a stool and a tab Then you poured me my pain in a dirty glass
Expressing kindness to Darcy, but receiving only emotional pain and turmoil in return
Yeah you left him bloody battered penniless and poor You know I often stopped to wonder how he made through my door With my brothers new non-duplicate registry I.D.
Reflecting on the violence caused by Darcy towards someone else and questioning how they could have entered her home without interference.
Well you bit off more than you could chew the first day you met me
Boasting that Darcy was not prepared for their personality or strength
You weren't the first to court me mister you won't be the last Oh I'm sure I wasn't honey, I know all about your past
Admitting a pattern of changing lovers and aware of the new partner's history
Listen to the big shot with his pager on call you spent most of those nights in my bathroom stall
Calling out the hypocrisy of a wealthy lover who still relied on her and highlighting their past behavior
Yeah, you got him high but you left him low Mind your own business boy how was I to know that he was just a fiend and a no good cheat
Admitting to enabling another's addiction and referencing the unawareness of their true nature
Well that's all in the past bitch cause now I got it beat
Boasting successful and personal change and defeat of addiction and destructive behaviors
Darcy Darcy darlin' dear, you left me dying, crying there in whiskey Gin and pints of beer, I fell for you my darling dear
Repeating previous chorus and emotion
My dear, my dear
Closing statement of mourning or longing for lost love
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
@AaronZuffa
She is such an amazing singer. not many girls can sing that loud so clear.
@erickmazur807
My definitive version. Killed it live. Amazing live
@Alcarnaz
I must say they sound great live, would be a pleasure to watch them live I bet =)
@affectivity
Thanks for posting this! I'm new to the Dropkick Murphys and I love this song. It's really neat to see it performed, and especially to see Stephanie Dougherty. :)
@DarthPhallic
I've been to tons of shows, but I have to say the Dropkick puts on one of the best shows I've ever seen.
@ImaGoofyGooberYEAH
i LOVE this song. its just so.. amazingly awesome..
@NMradioo
she is one of THE best singers i've heard.
@920003
they was the best band out that whole weekend... love the Dropkick Murphys.......
@scottbaker2451
Love this song!
@affectivity
I was surprised at how strong her voice was in a live performance. I thought she did very well. I think she has or had her own band, Deadly Sins or something like that.