The band have released five studio albums: Far Q (2010), World Record (2011), Changing Tune (2012), Lower Than Atlantis (2014), and Safe in Sound (2017).
In December 2018 the band announced they would be splitting up after a short farewell tour in May 2019.
Currently Mike Duce is releasing solo music as Headache.
Ben Sansom is now part of a new band named Paper Mill.
R.O.I.
Lower Than Atlantis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His pride, his heritage this Irish boy cannot hide
Heart beats to the rhythm of the strumming of a paddy's banjo
His blood runs three colours: green, white and gold
At night these cobbled streets I roam
This sovereign state is home
I'll stay with my mum's aunt and uncle up Wexford way
Getting merry on the ferry, the Irish Sea I'll cross
I'd travel miles to crawl the pubs and bars of New Ross
At night these cobbled streets I roam
This sovereign state is home
I'll hire a car and drive down to Hook Head
Maybe train it to Tramore or limp to Loftushall instead
Or write a song about the money and all the time I've spent
A song about a boy of Irish descent
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam
This sovereign state is home, this sovereign state is home
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam
This sovereign state is home, this sovereign state is home
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam
This sovereign state is home, this sovereign state is home
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam
This sovereign state is home, this sovereign state is home
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam
This sovereign state is home
The lyrics to Lower Than Atlantis's song R.O.I. (or Republic of Ireland) convey a strong sense of pride and connection to Irish heritage. The song describes an Irish boy who cannot hide his pride and heritage, and whose heart beats to the rhythm of a paddy's banjo. The singer imagines visiting Ireland someday and staying with family up in Wexford, where he plans to travel around, crawl the pubs and bars of New Ross, and write a song about his experiences. He also mentions specific places such as Hook Head, Tramore, and Loftushall, further emphasizing his connection to the land.
The repeated refrain of "at night these cobbled streets I roam, this sovereign state is home" emphasizes the singer's strong connection to Ireland and the feeling that he truly belongs there. The imagery of cobbled streets and the use of the word "sovereign" convey a sense of history, tradition, and pride in the country's independence.
Overall, the lyrics of R.O.I. convey a deep sense of connection and pride in Irish heritage and culture, as well as a longing to visit and explore the country further.
Line by Line Meaning
Guinness in hand, shamrocks in his eyes
The Irish boy holds a pint of Guinness and the pride of his heritage shines in his green eyes.
His pride, his heritage this Irish boy cannot hide
The boy's cultural roots are ingrained in him and he openly displays his pride for being Irish.
Heart beats to the rhythm of the strumming of a paddy's banjo
The boy's heart pulsates with the beat of the traditional Irish music played on the banjo.
His blood runs three colours: green, white and gold
His nationality, symbolized by the colors of his country's flag, runs deep within him.
At night these cobbled streets I roam
The boy walks the streets of his hometown at night.
This sovereign state is home
He recognizes the independence and freedom of his home country, which holds a special place in his heart.
I know that I'll be visiting some day
The boy plans on returning to Ireland at some point in the future.
I'll stay with my mum's aunt and uncle up Wexford way
During his visit, he intends to stay with relatives who live in Wexford.
Getting merry on the ferry, the Irish Sea I'll cross
He will travel across the Irish Sea to reach his destination, probably while enjoying a few drinks on the ferry.
I'd travel miles to crawl the pubs and bars of New Ross
He is willing to travel long distances just to visit and enjoy the nightlife of New Ross.
I'll hire a car and drive down to Hook Head
He plans on renting a car and driving to Hook Head for sightseeing.
Maybe train it to Tramore or limp to Loftushall instead
He might take the train to Tramore or make his way slowly to Loftushall to explore more places.
Or write a song about the money and all the time I've spent
He may write a song about his experiences and the money and time he spent during his visit.
A song about a boy of Irish descent
The song he may write will be about himself, a boy with an Irish background.
This sovereign state is home
Once again, the boy equates his home country with independence and freedom, highlighting its importance to him.
Contributed by Aaron C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anna-Lena Schmidt
Guinness in hand, shamrocks in his eyes*
His pride, his heritage this Irish boy cannot hide.
Heart beats to the rhythm of the strumming of a paddy's banjo,
His blood runs three colours: green, white and gold.
At night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home.
I know that I'll be visiting some day,
I'll stay with my mum's aunt and uncle up Wexford way.
Getting merry on the ferry, the Irish Sea I'll cross,
I'd travel miles to crawl the pubs and bars of New Ross.
At night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home.
I'll hire a car and drive down to Hook Head,
Maybe train it to Tramore or limp to Loftushall instead.
Or write a song about the time and all the money I spent,
A song about a boy of Irish descent.
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home, this sovereign state is home.
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home, this sovereign state is home.
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home, this sovereign state is home.
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home, this sovereign state is home.
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home.
Jonathan Agüero
Love this song!
Anna-Lena Schmidt
Guinness in hand, shamrocks in his eyes*
His pride, his heritage this Irish boy cannot hide.
Heart beats to the rhythm of the strumming of a paddy's banjo,
His blood runs three colours: green, white and gold.
At night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home.
I know that I'll be visiting some day,
I'll stay with my mum's aunt and uncle up Wexford way.
Getting merry on the ferry, the Irish Sea I'll cross,
I'd travel miles to crawl the pubs and bars of New Ross.
At night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home.
I'll hire a car and drive down to Hook Head,
Maybe train it to Tramore or limp to Loftushall instead.
Or write a song about the time and all the money I spent,
A song about a boy of Irish descent.
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home, this sovereign state is home.
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home, this sovereign state is home.
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home, this sovereign state is home.
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home, this sovereign state is home.
At night these cobbled streets I roam. at night these cobbled streets I roam.
This sovereign state is home.
Kyle Ravel
Write a song about the money and time I spent*
zephyrmop
This is actually a difficult one to learn by ear. There's so much going on, and this is coming from a guitarist who's been playing for 8 years. I'd appreciate a tab too.
Chloezbow
Finally someone understands the fucking struggle!!!!!!!!!!!!1 thank you
yforamteh
my favorite song from the album
T0pMan15
or learn it by ear because its one of the most valued skills you can have as a musician
TheZombieNixon
Takes me back
NanoCloneTV
anyone know where theres tabs to this ?
SN3V
they mention my hometown in this song. deadly! :D