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 Gauntlet
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was weighing in heavy but still feeling alright
All I hear in the distance, mines and shells
Here come the sirens wailing, another attack to be repelled
Do you think we're gonna make it?
I don't know unless we try
You could sit here scared to move, or we could take them by surprise
It's surrender that they need
When we're doing it their way their aims will be achieved
They're gonna come when you're not ready
When you're not too well-prepared
They're gonna prey upon your weakness, no man's soul is ever spared
You've got to stand up, yeah, and fight them
Show them what it's all about
This man is not for sale, there will be no backing down
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
We shall succeed
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
They won't get me, they won't get me
Though they never cease to try
They won't get me, they won't get me
I would rather fight and die
They won't get me, they won't get me
Well my friend, will they get you?
When they get you when they get you
You tell me, what are you gonna do?
Do you think we're gonna make it?
I don't know unless we try
You could sit here scared to move or we could take them by surprise
It's submission that they want
It's surrender that they need
When we're doing it their way their aims will be achieved
They're gonna come when you're not ready
When you're not too well-prepared
They're gonna prey upon your weakness, no man's soul is ever spared
You've got to stand up, yeah, and fight them
Show them what it's all about
This man is not for sale, there will be no backing down
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
We shall succeed
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
We shall succeed
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
The lyrics of Dropkick Murphys's song "The Gauntlet" describe the bravery, perseverance, and determination of soldiers in the midst of battle. The first stanza begins with the singer returning from a break in the fight and feeling heavy but still standing strong. He then hears the sound of mines and shells in the distance, and sirens wailing, indicating another attack. Despite the odds against them, the singer asks his fellow soldier if they can make it, and emphasizes that they need to try, rather than simply surrendering to their enemy's plan.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of standing up and fighting for what is right, rather than submitting to the enemy's aims. The singer urges his fellow soldiers to show their attackers what they're made of and to never back down. The second verse further articulates the dangers that soldiers face, and how they must remain vigilant and strong in the face of unexpected attacks. The theme of standing up and fighting for oneself and others is repeated in the final refrain, driving home the message that bravery in difficult times is what ultimately leads to success.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I just got back from a break in the fight
I have just returned from a brief respite in the battle.
I was weighing in heavy but still feeling alright
Although I was tired and burdened, I was still holding up.
All I hear in the distance, mines and shells
The sounds of explosions can be heard in the faraway distance.
Here come the sirens wailing, another attack to be repelled
The sirens are blaring, indicating yet another assault that we must defend against.
Do you think we're gonna make it?
Do you believe that we will succeed?
I don't know unless we try
We won't know for certain unless we attempt it.
You could sit here scared to move, or we could take them by surprise
You could stay paralyzed with fear, or we could take the enemy off guard.
It's submission that they want
The opposing forces seek our capitulation.
It's surrender that they need
They require us to give up entirely.
When we're doing it their way their aims will be achieved
If we conform to their approach, their objectives will be attained.
They're gonna come when you're not ready
They will attack when you are unprepared.
When you're not too well-prepared
If you are inadequately prepared for the battle.
They're gonna prey upon your weakness, no man's soul is ever spared
They will capitalize on your weaknesses, and nobody will be spared from harm or death.
You've got to stand up, yeah, and fight them
You must rise up and directly confront them in battle.
Show them what it's all about
Demonstrate to them the true essence of fighting back.
This man is not for sale, there will be no backing down
We are not for sale, and we will not give up.
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
Rally to fight and I will fight beside you!
We shall succeed
We will be victorious.
They won't get me, they won't get me
They will not capture or defeat me.
Though they never cease to try
Even though they continually attempt to do so.
I would rather fight and die
I would rather engage in battle and perish than surrender.
Well my friend, will they get you?
My friend, will they capture you?
When they get you when they get you
When they finally get you.
You tell me, what are you gonna do?
You must inform me, what actions are you going to take?
Lyrics © SPIRIT TWO SMA
Written by: Alexander Martin Barr, Kenneth William Casey, Mathew Edward Kelly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
magnus larsen
Well, I just got back from a break in the fight
I was weighing in heavy but still feeling alright
All I hear in the distance, mines and shells
Here come the sirens wailing, another attack to be repelled
Do you think we're gonna make it?
I don't know unless we try
You could sit here scared to move, or we could take them by surprise
It's submission that they want
It's surrender that they need
When we're doing it their way their aims will be achieved
They're gonna come when you're not ready
When you're not too well-prepared
They're gonna prey upon your weakness, no man's soul is ever spared
You've got to stand up, yeah, and fight them
Show them what it's all about
This man is not for sale, there will be no backing down
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
We shall succeed
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
They won't get me, they won't get me
Though they never cease to try
They won't get me, they won't get me
I would rather fight and die
They won't get me, they won't get me
Well my friend, will they get you?
When they get you when they get you
You tell me, what are you gonna do?
Do you think we're gonna make it?
I don't know unless we try
You could sit here scared to move or we could take them by surprise
It's submission that they want
It's surrender that they need
When we're doing it their way their aims will be achieved
They're gonna come when you're not ready
When you're not too well-prepared
They're gonna prey upon your weakness, no man's soul is ever spared
You've got to stand up, yeah, and fight them
Show them what it's all about
This man is not for sale, there will be no backing down
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
We shall succeed
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
We shall succeed
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
TheBalteringOtter
Sing Loud, Sing Proud got me into punkrock. Still one of my favorite albums of all time
magnus larsen
Well, I just got back from a break in the fight
I was weighing in heavy but still feeling alright
All I hear in the distance, mines and shells
Here come the sirens wailing, another attack to be repelled
Do you think we're gonna make it?
I don't know unless we try
You could sit here scared to move, or we could take them by surprise
It's submission that they want
It's surrender that they need
When we're doing it their way their aims will be achieved
They're gonna come when you're not ready
When you're not too well-prepared
They're gonna prey upon your weakness, no man's soul is ever spared
You've got to stand up, yeah, and fight them
Show them what it's all about
This man is not for sale, there will be no backing down
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
We shall succeed
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
They won't get me, they won't get me
Though they never cease to try
They won't get me, they won't get me
I would rather fight and die
They won't get me, they won't get me
Well my friend, will they get you?
When they get you when they get you
You tell me, what are you gonna do?
Do you think we're gonna make it?
I don't know unless we try
You could sit here scared to move or we could take them by surprise
It's submission that they want
It's surrender that they need
When we're doing it their way their aims will be achieved
They're gonna come when you're not ready
When you're not too well-prepared
They're gonna prey upon your weakness, no man's soul is ever spared
You've got to stand up, yeah, and fight them
Show them what it's all about
This man is not for sale, there will be no backing down
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
We shall succeed
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
We shall succeed
Stand up and fight, and I'll stand up with you!
rebel within
Favorite Dropkick Murphy's song 🍻
lq9blzr
Takes me back to a time in my life that will always shine brightly
witsby
this song is a banger
PunkRocKaraoke
KARAOKE VERSION:
https://youtu.be/ESXA3PUdji4
have fun !!
Andrew Nelson
One of the best songs from DKM!
Jimmy Gray
Calling all Punk Rockers, we must stand up and fight.
Philip Yates
Love the guitar solo on this.
Manthan Shah
@magnus larsen I know. Neither did Marc, I think.