The Dubliners started off in O'Donoghue's pub in Dublin in 1962 under the name of "the Ronnie Drew Folk Group". Then they were four, Ronnie Drew (vocals and guitar), Luke Kelly (vocals and 5-string banjo), Barney McKenna (tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon and vocals) and Ciarán Bourke (vocals, guitar, tin whistle and harmonica). In 1963, they played at the Edinburgh festival where they met the head of Transatlantic Records, Nathan Joseph, for whom they started recording. In 1964, Luke Kelly left, and Bobby Lynch (vocals and guitar) and John Sheahan (fiddle, tin whistle, mandolin, concertina, guitar and vocals) were added. When Luke Kelly returned and Bobby Lynch left in 1965, we have what is considered as the original Dubliners, five individualists, five men whose talents were mixed together in a superb blend and just wanted to play and have a good craic. If they only knew what was awaiting them!
In 1967 their major breakthrough came as a result of a coincidence. Their song, "Seven Drunken Nights" which was recorded in one take, was snapped up by a pirate radio station which started playing it along with the Beatles, the Mamas & the Papas, the Who, the Kinks and Jimi Hendrix. Suddenly, The Dubliners was a major band, playing all over the world, getting into the charts, and receiving gold discs. Not what you expected from a bunch of hairy people who "looked like they'd just been dragged out of a seedy bar via a hedge(backwards) and dropped on London from a very great height".(Colin Irwin in the reissue of "Live at the Albert Hall")
The seventies started like the sixties ended; wild touring, drinking, playing. They started doing regular tours, and they were still recording, of course. Then, in 1974, Ciarán Bourke collapsed on stage with a brain haemmorrage, which eventually led to his death. He first, though, recovered remarkably , and was back on stage with The Dubliners, but collapsed again. At the same time, Ronnie decided to take a break, and Jim McCann took his and Ciaráns place in the group.
In 1979, Ronnie decided to make a comeback as a member of the group, although he probably never really left it. In the five years, he had recorded two solo albums, and The Dubliners three albums. With Ronnie returning, Jim left, and The Dubs were almost back where they started. Then Luke Kelly became ill, he collapsed on stage with a brain tumour, for which he received surgery several times. He too, made remarkable recoveries, and went on touring with the Dubliners, at the same time continuing his wild and unhealthy lifestyle. Seán Cannon, a long time friend, stepped in for Luke, when he couldn't be on stage. Seáns appearence wasn't that well received by the audiences at the beginning, but he has later turned out to be an important addition to The Dubliners, and their repertoir. In 1984, Luke Kelly died, but The Dubliners, now with Seán Cannon as a member, decided to keep on.
1987 turned out to be one of the best - and busiest - years for the Dubliners. Their long time friend, and guest musician, Eamonn Campbell (29 November 1946 – 18 October 2017), brought the group together with the Pogues on the hit single the Irish Rover. This single took the Dubliners back to the charts, and also gave them a completely new audience; people who weren't even born when The Dubliners started off. And with Dublin celebrating its milennium in 1988, The Dubliners also received more attention than for years. Eamonn Campbell joined them on regular basis, a move which has turned out to be one of the most important in their history. In 1988 Ciarán Bourke died, after years of pain and difficulties. He always was, and still is very much remembered by The Dubliners, just like Luke Kelly is.
The eighties finished off with rumours that The Dubliners were to retire, probably something that's always been following the group. However, they didn't, and celebrated their 30th anniversary in 1992, with a double cd and extensive tour. The nineties have later brought a tour video from the German tour 1995, and the "shock" news that Ronnie Drew was leaving. He left in December 1995, after releasing a superb album, "Dirty Rotten Shame" a few months earlier.
Now, even the most optimistic Dubliners fans thought it was the end, but the remaindours decided to convince Paddy Reilly to join them, and they continued their busy touring and recording schedule. This move has also turned out to be excellent. Paddy, not very well known in Europe, had never been touring there, so he too enjoyed the experience, as well as being part of a band. He still, though, does tours in the USA in the winter and summermonths.
2002, they temporarily reunited with Ronnie Drew and Jim McCann, for their 40th anniversary tour. They made a string of appearances on Irish television throughout this time, including a memorable appearance with Phil Coulter and George Murphy on RTÉ 1.
After the tour, Jim McCann was diagnosed with throat cancer and, though he fully recovered, his voice was severely damaged, and he has not been able to sing since his illness
In 2005, Paddy Reilly moved to the United States, and Patsy Watchorn joined the group. Watchorn made a name for himself with The Dublin City Ramblers; like Kelly, he accompanies his songs on the five-string banjo.
The band toured Europe every year. A planned tour of Denmark two weeks after the death of McKenna on 5 April 2012 went ahead as planned. From the first show in Copenhagen on 18 April onwards he was replaced by the Irish banjo player Gerry O'Connor.
The band celebrated their 50th anniversary with an extensive year-long European tour and the release of a live DVD recorded live at Dublin's Vicar Street.
In the fall of 2012 the band announced their retirement, effective after their 50th anniversary shows at the end of the year. The Dubliners played the final shows at Vicar Street in Dublin on 28/29/30 December 2012 the band were joined by former band member Jim McCann.
The band made their final TV appearence in the UK on the BBC's New Year's Eve edition of Jools Holland Annual Hootenanny' on 31 December. Their last public appearance as the Dubliners was on 27 January 2013 in memory of Barney McKenna. The remaining members Sean Cannon, Eamonn Campbell, Patsy Watchorn and Gerry O'Connor continue to tour Europe in 2013/14.
People probably don't recognize what The Dubliners have meant to the world of music. By the way, not only the world of music, but the world as a whole. They have first of all paved the way for dozens of bands from Ireland and Scotland, like the Chieftains, the Pogues, U2, Ossian, the Fureys and so on. The number of artists that list The Dubliners as one of their major influences and idols, is endless. They have brought folk music to millions of people all over the world, people who never would have been interested at all. That isn't only because of the folk music, the instrumentals alone, it's because of The Dubliners, their astonishing voices, their undescribable instrumentals, the wild life style and drinking, late sessions, their enormous beards, their extensive touring, their charisma and characters. It was, and still is to a certain extent, a blend the world will never see again.
The Dubliners have brought Ireland to the world in a way that no emigration has, they have brought the world to Ireland, and they have brought people all over the world closer together. Whenever it ends, the world will never be the same again.
A Bunch of Red Roses
The Dubliners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A sober black shawl hides her body entirely
Touched by the sun and the salt spray of the sea
But down in the darkness a slim hand so lovely
Carries a rich bunch of red roses for me
Her petticoat simple and her feet are but bare
But stars in the deep of her eyes are exclaiming
I carry a rich bunch of red roses for thee
No arrogant jewel sits enthroned on her forehead
Or swings from a white ear for all men to see
But jewelled desire in a bosom so pearly
Carries a rich bunch of red roses for me
The Dubliners’ song “A Bunch of Red Roses” is a beautiful and poignant poem set to traditional Irish music. Written by Sean O’Casey, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a young, impoverished woman who carries herself with grace and dignity. She is dressed in a simple black shawl which covers her entire body, but despite her humble attire, she exudes a quiet confidence and self-assurance. In her hand, she carries a large bouquet of bright red roses, a striking contrast against the dark backdrop of her shawl.
The song is a celebration of love and the power of nature. The singer is deeply moved by the beauty and simplicity of the woman and her roses. He observes that while she may not be rich or powerful, her inner beauty shines brightly, like the stars in the deep of her eyes. Similarly, the red roses she carries are a symbol of the natural world’s beauty and vitality, and express the depth of her feelings. They are not just any flowers, but a rich and vibrant bunch, chosen specifically to convey her love and admiration.
Overall, “A Bunch of Red Roses” is a beautiful and deeply moving song that speaks to the human heart’s capacity for love and appreciation of nature. It reminds us that sometimes the most valuable things in life are not the material possessions we accumulate, but the connections we make with others and the beauty we find in the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
A sober black shawl hides her body entirely
She is wearing a black shawl that covers her entire body and makes her look sober.
Touched by the sun and the salt spray of the sea
Despite being covered by a shawl, her skin has been exposed to the sun and the salt spray of the sea.
But down in the darkness a slim hand so lovely
Her hand is slim and beautiful, even in the darkness.
Carries a rich bunch of red roses for me
She is carrying a bunch of red roses for the artist.
Her petticoat simple and her feet are but bare
She is wearing a simple petticoat and her feet are bare.
And all that she has is but neat and scanty
She doesn't have much and what she has is simple and limited.
But stars in the deep of her eyes are exclaiming
Her eyes are shining bright with stars, expressing something important.
I carry a rich bunch of red roses for thee
She is telling the artist that she is carrying a bunch of red roses for him.
No arrogant jewel sits enthroned on her forehead
She is not wearing any fancy jewelry on her forehead.
Or swings from a white ear for all men to see
She is not wearing any flashy earrings that would catch everyone's attention.
But jeweled desire in a bosom so pearly
She has a desire that is precious, just like a jewel. It is well-hidden in her pearly bosom.
Carries a rich bunch of red roses for me
Despite not having any fancy jewelry, she is still carrying a bunch of red roses for the artist.
Contributed by Julia N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mark Meleady
This isn't actually a Dubliners recording - it's from Ronnie Drew's first solo album.
RevDanimal
This...this is about love, regardless of stature. And very humble, with a a slight Irish pervertedness.
Hans Van Houten
amazing..