The band has recorded many albums of instrumental Irish folk music, as well as multiple collaborations with popular musicians of many genres, including Country music, Galician traditional music, Cape Breton and Newfoundland music, and rock and roll. They have performed with Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones, Sting, Roger Daltrey, Elvis Costello, Tom Jones, Sinéad O'Connor, James Galway, Jackson Browne, Nancy Griffith and numerous Country-western artists. In 1975, the group won praise for their playing of "Women of Ireland" for Stanley Kubrick's movie Barry Lyndon.
They have won six Grammy Awards and have been nominated eighteen times. In 2002 they were given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the UK's BBC Radio 2. The front covers of the first four albums were designed by Edward Delaney.
Paddy Moloney is the band's leader, and composes or arranges most of the band's music. While the band's members changed numerous times in the band's early history, the membership solidified in 1979 when Matt Molloy replaced Michael Tubridy.
From then until 2002, members included:
Paddy Moloney (uilleann pipes, tin whistle, button accordion, bodhrán)
Matt Molloy (flute, tin whistle)
Kevin Conneff (bodhrán, vocals)
Seán Keane (fiddle, tin whistle)
Martin Fay (fiddle, bones) (born 1938; died 14 November 2012)
Derek Bell (Irish harp, keyboard instruments, oboe) (born 21 October 1935; died 17 October 2002)
In 2002, Fay retired from active membership. In the same year, Bell died due to complications following a minor operation. Fay died on 14 November 2012.
School Days Over
The Chieftains Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time to be gettin' your pit boots on
On with your sark and moleskin trousers
It's time you were on your way
Time you were learnin' the pitman's job
And earnin' the pitman's pay
Come on then, Jim, it's time to go
Time to be handlin' a pick and a shovel
You start at the pits today
Time you were learnin' the collier's job
And earnin' the collier's pay
Come on then, Dai, it's almost light
Time you were off to the anthracite
The mornin' mist is on the valley
It's time you were on your way
Time you were learnin' the miner's job
And earnin' the miner's pay
Schooldays over, come on then, John
Time to be gettin' your pit boots on
On with your sark and moleskin trousers
It's time you were on your way
Time you were learnin' the pitman's job
And earnin' the pitman's pay
The Chieftains' song School Days Over describes the transition between youth and adulthood, specifically in the coal mining communities of England. The lyrics are addressed to John, Jim, and Dai, who represent the young boys who are leaving school and starting their careers in the coal mines. The song encourages them to put on their pit boots, sark, and moleskin trousers, and begin their work in the mines. The chorus, repeated several times in the song, emphasizes the importance of learning the miner's trade and earning their pay.
The lyrics suggest that leaving school and starting work in the mines is an important rite of passage for young men. It highlights the heavy physical labor required for coal mining, as well as the dangers and risks associated with the profession. The song also speaks to the economic necessity of working in the mines, as it was often the primary source of income for families in these communities.
Overall, School Days Over is a poignant and powerful exploration of the industrial hardships and realities of working-class communities in England during the early 20th century.
Line by Line Meaning
Schooldays over, come on then, John
The time for school is done, John. It is time to ready yourself for your job in the pit.
Time to be gettin' your pit boots on
It is now time to put on your boots for work in the pit.
On with your sark and moleskin trousers
Wear your work clothes, including your shirt and heavy, durable trousers.
It's time you were on your way
You must leave and begin your work day.
Time you were learnin' the pitman's job
It is now the moment to learn your trade as a laborer in the pit.
And earnin' the pitman's pay
By completing your work in the pit, you will receive payment for your labors.
Come on then, Jim, it's time to go
It is time to begin your work down below, Jim.
Time you were workin' down below
You must now start working in the lower regions below the surface.
Time to be handlin' a pick and a shovel
It is now your responsibility to handle the tools necessary for your labor in the pit, such as a pick or shovel.
You start at the pits today
Today is the beginning of your work in the pit.
Time you were learnin' the collier's job
You must now begin learning the specialized tasks of a collier or coal miner.
And earnin' the collier's pay
Through your efforts in the pit, you will earn a wage as a collier.
Come on then, Dai, it's almost light
Dai, the sun is almost up. Time to get to work in the mines.
Time you were off to the anthracite
It's time to travel to the anthracite and begin work in the mines.
The mornin' mist is on the valley
The mist of morning sits on the valley, signaling the start of a new day.
Time you were learnin' the miner's job
It is now time to start learning the skills of a miner in the mines.
And earnin' the miner's pay
As you continue your work in mining, you will gradually earn a wage as a miner.
Schooldays over, come on then, John
It's time to leave school and begin life as a worker in the mines, John.
Time to be gettin' your pit boots on
Now is the moment to put on your work boots for your shift in the mines.
On with your sark and moleskin trousers
Don your work clothes, including your shirt and sturdy trousers.
It's time you were on your way
You should depart now and travel to the mines to begin work.
Time you were learnin' the pitman's job
It is time to start learning the tasks and responsibilities of a pitman in the mines.
And earnin' the pitman's pay
Through your hard work and dedication, you will earn a wage as a pitman in the mines.
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
tom canterbury
on North Amerikay
the great accapella version by kevin on tribute to their harpist