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.
Leaving of Liverpool
The Dubliners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am bound for California, a place I know right well
So fare thee well my own true love
When I return united we will be
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
But my darling when I think of thee
I have sailed with Burgess once before, I think I know him well
So fare thee well my own true love
When I return united we will be
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
But my darling when I think of thee
Farewell to Lower Frederick Street, Anson Terrace and Park Lane
I am bound away for to leave you and I'll never see you again
So fare thee well my own true love
When I return united we will be
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
But my darling when I think of thee
I am bound for California by way of stormy Cape Horn
And I will write to thee a letter, love, when I am homeward bound
So fare thee well my own true love
When I return united we will be
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
But my darling when I think of thee
I've shipped on a Yankee clipper ship, "Davy Crockett" is her name
And Burgess is the captain of her and they say that she's a floating hell
So fare thee well my own true love
When I return united we will be
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
But my darling when I think of thee
The Leaving of Liverpool is a traditional sea shanty that tells the story of a sailor's departure from Liverpool to California in search of a better life. The song is sung by The Dubliners, and it is a testament to the singer's love for his true love, whom he must leave in Liverpool. The first verse bids farewell to the Princes' landing stage at the River Mersey, where the sailor departs on his journey. He knows California well and is confident about his future, but he still miss his love. He promises to return to her and hopes that they will be united again.
The second verse speaks of the sailor's experience with Burgess, the captain of his previous voyage. The sailor believes that anyone with experience in sailing can make it through, but those who do not will likely suffer. Again, he bids farewell to his love, promising to return to her.
The third verse mentions the various streets that the sailor is leaving behind in Liverpool. He knows that he will never see them again, but he hopes that he will be united with his love when he returns. The singer mentions the stormy Cape Horn as he makes his way to California, promising to write a letter to his love when he returns home.
Finally, in the fourth verse, the sailor mentions the ship he is on, the "Davy Crockett," a Yankee clipper ship. The captain, Burgess, is known for his rough and tough demeanor, and the ship is a floating hell. Yet, the sailor is determined to make the journey and reunite with his love.
Overall, The Leaving of Liverpool is a heartfelt and melancholy tribute to the love between the sailor and his true love, as well as a tribute to the trials and tribulations of a life at sea. It is a timeless classic that speaks to the beauty and despair of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Farewell to Princes' landing stage River Mersey fare thee well
Goodbye to Liverpool, I'm leaving on a ship
I am bound for California, a place I know right well
I'm headed to California, a familiar place
So fare thee well my own true love
When I return united we will be
Goodbye my love, we'll reunite when I'm back
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
But my darling when I think of thee
Leaving Liverpool doesn't make me sad, but thinking of you does
I have sailed with Burgess once before, I think I know him well
If a man's a sailor he will get along, if not then he's sure in hell
I've sailed with Burgess before and know him to be a good sailor, but those who aren't, will struggle
Farewell to Lower Frederick Street, Anson Terrace and Park Lane
I am bound away for to leave you and I'll never see you again
Goodbye to streets and places I know, I won't see them again
I am bound for California by way of stormy Cape Horn
And I will write to thee a letter, love, when I am homeward bound
I'll be sailing through Cape Horn to get to California, and I'll send you a letter on my way home
I've shipped on a Yankee clipper ship, "Davy Crockett" is her name
And Burgess is the captain of her and they say that she's a floating hell
I'm on a ship called 'Davy Crockett' with Burgess as the captain, and some say it's a terrible ship
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@independantfundament
rewell to you my own true love
I'm sailing far far away
I'm bound for California
but I know that I'll return some day
CHORUS
So fare thee well, my own true love
When I return united we will be
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grievs me
But my darling when I think of thee
Farewell to Prince's Landing Stage
River Mersey, fare thee well
I am bound for California
A place I know right well
I'm bound off for California
By the way of stormy Cape Horn
And I'm bound to write you a letter, love
When I am homeward bound
I have signed on a Yankee sailing ship
Davy Crockett I do tell
And the captian's name it is Burgess
And they say she's a floating Hell
I have shipped with Burgess once before
And I think I know him well
If a man's a seaman, he can get along
If not, then he's sure in Hell
Farewell to lower Frederick Street
Ensign Terrace and Park Lane
For I think it will be a long, long time
Before I see you again
Oh the sun is on the harbor, love
And I wish I could remain
For I know it will be a long, long time
until I see you again
@kirkperryhora7025
I hope our generation will continue this kind of music. Regards from the Philippines.
@grahamlaidlaw7164
it will. my late uncle was named Perry. 🍀
@nickwheeler2577
Technically gen alpha here, and, me too.
@EmirAbakus
Greetings from Istanbul, this song and this band is masterclass.
@remusjohnlupin8484
Regards from India for this terrific band.
@janegiffould1253
Takes me back to the Liverpool of my youth
@Iamtheliquor
Same here🤘
@bobdyer390
Hoping to return to the pool for my later years ....
Broken heart still lies in the ruins of Scotland rd.
@elizabethlaubhan474
He has a lovely voice.
@adammoore3605
the dubs are greatest band ever period