The band's name not only is inspired by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, but also refers to the so-called "paddies", a term once used for Irish emigrants, as well as the Welsh seaport Holyhead which had been an important transit station for many Irish emigrants.
Current members:
Paddy Schmidt: vocals, guitar, harp, whistles, bagpipes
Jo Naumann (1992–1995, and again since 2005): vocals, accordion, keyboards
Uwe "Uhu" Bender (since 2005): bass
Nicole Ansperger (since 2005): fiddle
Dirk "Schimmel" Schäfer (since 2007, former X-Cellent): percussion
Former members:
Rainer Opitz (1988-1991)
Andreas Reich (1988–1991); 1992–2003 with An Cat Dubh
Mathias Kohlmann (1989–1993)
Kalle Spriestersbach (1993-2007); former Crazy ’bout Kinski
Andi Kopp (1993–1998); former Crazy ’bout Kinski
Almut Ritter (1993–1997)
Blacky P. Schwarz (1995–1998)
Helen Mannert (1997–2001)
Jürgen Köhler (1998-2003)
Markus Hochwürden Ries (1998–2001)
Rüdiger Kist (1999–? , 2003–2005)
Jens Kempgens (2001–2004)
Wolfgang Ritter (2001–2004)
Mark Patrick (2002–2004)
Boris Mittelstädt (2004)
Marian Juravlea (2004)
Discography:
1989 — The Fairy King (Tape, self-published)
1989 — On The One Road (Tape, self-published)
1990 — Emigrants (Vinyl-LP, self-published)
1991 — Live In Darmstadt (Tape, self-published)
1992 — Here’s To The People (CD, Indigo)
1993 — Supermegaultraliveshow (CD, Indigo)
1994 — Ready For Paddy? (CD, Indigo)
1996 — E.& O.E. (CD, Indigo)
1998 — Hooray (CD, Indigo)
1998 — Live (CD, Indigo)
2000 — Paddy Tales (CD, Indigo)
2002 — Red Letter Days (CD, Indigo)
2004 — Acoustic Nights (CD, Indigo)
Website (in German):
http://www.paddy.de
MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/paddygoes2holyhead
Wintertime
Paddy Goes to Holyhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the temperature is falling wintertime has come
Gather food the cupboard′s empty tho′ the rich folk all have plenty
To their world there is no entry hungertime has come
Light your fire the cold is creeping soon you′ll hear the sound of weeping
Where the homeless men are sleeping dying time has come
Long dark nights are often endless waiting for a word of kindness
[chorus:]
Winter is here and the cold is all around
And you can′t plant wishes in the frozen ground
Winter is here and the cold is all around
And you can′t plant wishes in the frozen ground
Ancient bones are oh so fragile, ancient limbs are not so agile
Helping hand is what they′re needing aging time has come
Don′t build shelters from the nighttime give them pride now is the right time
Home and not a homeless lifetime giving time has come
Feed the hungry feed the people do not heed your church and steeple
For your care there is no equal caring time has come
Shine a light the night has fallen in the dark there′s someone calling
For a friend until the morning friendship time has come
[chorus]
The lyrics to Paddy Goes to Holyhead's song "Wintertime" paint a stark picture of the hardships that come with the colder season. It begins with a call to action, as the rising waters and howling wind demand that the listener build a dyke and close the door. The message is clear - preparation is key, and one must gather food and supplies to prepare for the winter ahead. However, there is a stark contrast between those who have plenty and those who do not, with the wealthy able to retreat into their own world when times get tough.
The second verse highlights the struggles of the homeless during wintertime, with the cold creeping in and the sound of weeping not far behind. The long nights seem endless, with those who are lonely or friendless feeling the solitude even more acutely. The chorus serves as a reminder that no matter how much one may wish for things to be different, they cannot plant those wishes in the frozen ground. Winter is here, and the cold is all around.
The following verses emphasize the importance of caring for the elderly and helping those in need. The aging population is especially vulnerable during the winter months, and a helping hand is what they need. The final verse encourages listeners to reach out to those in need, regardless of their church or steeple. Shine a light in the darkness and be a friend to those who are calling out for help - this is the time for giving and caring.
Overall, "Wintertime" is a powerful reminder of how difficult the colder months can be for many people. It encourages listeners to be compassionate and kind, offering a glimmer of hope during what can be a very challenging time.
Line by Line Meaning
Build the dyke the water's rising close the door the wind is howling
The rising water level and strong winds indicate the arrival of winter, so it is necessary to take precautions to protect oneself from the weather.
And the temperature is falling wintertime has come
The dropping temperature confirms that winter has arrived.
Gather food the cupboard's empty tho' the rich folk all have plenty
In contrast to the wealthy, the poor struggle to acquire the basic necessity of food, which creates a sense of injustice.
To their world there is no entry hungertime has come
The winter season highlights the separation between socio-economic classes, with the rich being uninterested in helping those in need.
Light your fire the cold is creeping soon you'll hear the sound of weeping
The intense cold may cause people to break down and cry, so it is necessary to keep warm and take care of oneself.
Where the homeless men are sleeping dying time has come
Winter has a severe impact on those who lack shelter, and the homeless may even risk their lives in the freezing temperatures.
Long dark nights are often endless waiting for a word of kindness
The nights feel longer and colder, causing a need for human connection and compassion.
For the lonely and the friendless lonesome time has come
The isolation caused by winter can be especially challenging for those who lack companionship and social interaction.
Chorus: Winter is here and the cold is all around and you can't plant wishes in the frozen ground
Winter brings with it its own difficulties, and it is important to focus on practical solutions rather than just hoping for things to get better.
Ancient bones are oh so fragile, ancient limbs are not so agile
Older people are more susceptible to the health risks associated with winter, such as increased vulnerability to illness and injuries.
Helping hand is what they're needing aging time has come
Elderly individuals may require additional assistance from others during the winter months.
Don't build shelters from the nighttime give them pride now is the right time
Instead of simply providing temporary shelter, it is important to help individuals maintain their dignity and self-esteem, especially during rough times.
Home and not a homeless lifetime giving time has come
The goal should be to help people establish a stable and secure home rather than just providing emergency services during winter.
Feed the hungry feed the people do not heed your church and steeple
Providing food to those in need should be a priority, regardless of one's religious affiliations or institutions.
For your care there is no equal caring time has come
It is important to care for others during times of need, as everyone deserves the same level of compassion and empathy.
Shine a light the night has fallen in the dark there's someone calling
The darkness of winter can be overwhelming, so it is important to offer support and guidance to others who may be struggling.
For a friend until the morning friendship time has come
Winter may create a sense of loneliness and isolation, so it is crucial to foster relationships and provide companionship.
Chorus: Winter is here and the cold is all around and you can't plant wishes in the frozen ground
Winter brings with it its own difficulties, and it is important to focus on practical solutions rather than just hoping for things to get better.
Contributed by Ian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lina Jürgensen
I searched so long for this song!
One of my favorites!❤️