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 Ciarรกn 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, Ciarรกn 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 Ciarรกns 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. Seรกn Cannon, a long time friend, stepped in for Luke, when he couldn't be on stage. Seรกns 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 Seรกn 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 โ 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 Ciarรกn 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 RTร 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.
Molly Maguires
The Dubliners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're drinkers, they're liars but they're men
Make way for the Molly Maguires
You'll never see the likes of them again
Down the mines no sunlight shines
Those pits they're black as hell
In modest style they do their time
And they curse the day they've travelled far
Then drown their tears with a jar
So make way for the Molly Maguires
They're drinkers, they're liars but they're men
Make way for the Molly Maguires
You'll never see the likes of them again
Backs will break and muscles ache
Down there there's no time to dream
Of fields and farms, of womans arms
Just dig that bloody seam
Though they drain their bodies underground
Who'll dare to push them around
So make way for the Molly Maguires
They're drinkers, they're liars but they're men
Make way for the Molly Maguires
You'll never see the likes of them again
So make way for the Molly Maguires
They're drinkers, they're liars but they're men
Make way for the Molly Maguires
You'll never see the likes of them again
The Dubliners' song "Molly Maguires" is an ode to the Irish-American labor movement of the late 19th century. The Molly Maguires were a secret society of Irish coal miners who formed in Pennsylvania in the mid-1800s. They fought for better wages, safer working conditions, and an end to company town practices that kept workers trapped in debt. The lyrics describe the harsh reality of life in the mines, where the workers are trapped in darkness and desperation, with only their camaraderie and their glasses of whiskey to get them through. The song celebrates the strength and resilience of the Molly Maguires, who endured back-breaking labor but refused to be cowed by their bosses or their oppressors.
Line by Line Meaning
Make way for the Molly Maguires
Attention must be paid to the Molly Maguires.
They're drinkers, they're liars but they're men
The Molly Maguires may have faults but they are still men.
You'll never see the likes of them again
The Molly Maguires are unique and cannot be replicated.
Down the mines no sunlight shines
The mines are dark and gloomy without any sunlight.
Those pits they're black as hell
The mines are pitch black and resemble hell.
In modest style they do their time
The Molly Maguires work humbly and without complaint.
It's Paddy's prison cell
Working in the mines is like being in a prison cell for an Irishman.
And they curse the day they've travelled far
The Molly Maguires regret coming to America and working in the mines.
Then drown their tears with a jar
To cope with their unhappiness, the Molly Maguires drink alcohol.
Backs will break and muscles ache
Working in the mines is physically demanding and painful.
Down there there's no time to dream
The Molly Maguires are so focused on their work that they can't dream or think of anything else.
Of fields and farms, of womans arms
They long for a life outside of the mines that involves farming and being with loved ones.
Just dig that bloody seam
Their job is to dig the coal seam no matter how difficult it is.
Though they drain their bodies underground
Working in the mines is exhausting and takes a toll on their bodies.
Who'll dare to push them around
Despite their hardships, the Molly Maguires won't let anyone mistreat or bully them.
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BILL MARTIN, PHIL COULTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ronan Anker
We Will Never See Nothing Like The Amazing DUBLINERS Again
Maggoo Who
๐ฏ
Paddy Eejit
True
Daisy Peters
Luke Kelly the best poetry, singer, Bard. He was so special singer !!! Superb!!!
Steady Eddie Woodstock
my grandma used to play this on her old computer and dance to it. Brings me back to a little kid. #Nostalgia
Vera Birchall
This is the Dubliners at their brilliant best...with the possible exception of hot asphault
B OB
For those who don't know, check out who the Molly Maguires were.
Casey O'Day
Im related to Kehoe a famous Molly Maguire
A K
@Casey O'Day so am I, that means I must be related to you haha
Daisy Peters
Simply the Greatest Master Troubador our Luke Kelly!!!