Peggy Gordon
The Dubliners Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

O Peggy Gordon, You are my darling
Come sit you down upon my knee
And tell to me the very reason
Why I am slighted so by thee

I am so deep in love that I can't deny it
My heart lies smothered in my breast
But it's not for you to let the whole world know it
A troubled mind can find no rest

[Chorus]
O Peggy Gordon, You are my darling
Come sit you down upon my knee
And tell to me the very reason
Why I am slighted so by thee

I leaned myself on a cask of brandy
It was my fancy, I do declare
For when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking
Wishing Peggy Gordon was there

[Chorus]

O Peggy Gordon, You are my darling
Come sit you down upon my knee

And tell to me the very reason
Why I am slighted so by thee

I wished I was in a lonesome valley
Where womankind cannot be found
And the pretty little birds do change their voices
And every moment a different sound

[Chorus]

O Peggy Gordon, You are my darling
Come sit you down upon my knee
And tell to me the very reason
Why I am slighted so by thee

I wish I was away in Ingo
Far away across the briny sea
Sailing over deepest waters
Where love nor care never trouble me

[Chorus]

O Peggy Gordon, You are my darling
Come sit you down upon my knee




And tell to me the very reason
Why I am slighted so by thee

Overall Meaning

The Dubliners’ song “Peggy Gordon” is a traditional Irish ballad that tells the story of a man deeply in love with a woman named Peggy Gordon. The song opens with the singer asking Peggy Gordon to sit on his knee and explain to him why she is treating him so poorly. He confesses his love for her and his deep trouble and unrest at not being able to be with her. In the chorus, he addresses her directly, repeating his request for her to tell him her reasons for rejecting him.


The second verse finds the singer drinking brandy and imagining that Peggy Gordon is with him. He is again consumed by his love for her, and his longing for her is clearly having a negative impact on his wellbeing. The third verse is the darkest, as the singer wishes he were in a different time and place, where he could escape from the pain of his unrequited love. The final verse finds the singer wishing he could be far away from Peggy Gordon, sailing over the sea and leaving his troubles behind.


Overall, “Peggy Gordon” is a poignant and emotional ballad that explores the pain of unrequited love. The singer is clearly deeply in love with Peggy Gordon, but she does not feel the same way about him. The song captures the desperation and heartache that comes with loving someone who does not love you back.


Line by Line Meaning

O Peggy Gordon, You are my darling
Addressing Peggy Gordon with affection


Come sit you down upon my knee
Asking her to sit close and talk to him


And tell to me the very reason
Requesting an explanation


Why I am slighted so by thee
Asking why she is treating him with disregard


I am so deep in love that I can't deny it
Admitting to being hopelessly in love with her


My heart lies smothered in my breast
Feeling consumed by emotions for her


But it's not for you to let the whole world know it
Asking for privacy in his feelings


A troubled mind can find no rest
Not being able to find peace in his thoughts


I leaned myself on a cask of brandy
Having a drink to ease his pain


It was my fancy, I do declare
Explaining that it's just his habit


For when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking
Reflecting on her even when he's drinking


Wishing Peggy Gordon was there
Longing for Peggy Gordon's company


I wished I was in a lonesome valley
Dreaming of solitude without women's presence


Where womankind cannot be found
Desiring to be alone without romantic distractions


And the pretty little birds do change their voices
Enjoying the harmony of the birds' songs


And every moment a different sound
Appreciating the variety of bird songs


I wish I was away in Ingo
Wishing to escape


Far away across the briny sea
Yearning for a distant land


Sailing over deepest waters
Traveling across the ocean


Where love nor care never trouble me
Wanting to be free from worries and attachments


O Peggy Gordon, You are my darling
Repeating his affectionate address to her


Come sit you down upon my knee
Inviting her to be close again


And tell to me the very reason
Repeating his request for an explanation


Why I am slighted so by thee
Repeating his question about her mistreatment of him




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Traditonal

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@txeicTGN2012

Oh Peggy Gordon
You are my darling
Come sit you down upon my knee
And tell to me the very reason
Why I am slighted so by thee
I'm so in love that
I can't deny it
My heart lies smothered in my breast
But it's not for you to
let the world know it
A troubled mind can know no rest
I put my head to
a glass of brandy
It was my fancy
I do declare
For when I'm drinking
I'm always thinking
And wishing Peggy Gordon was here
I wish I was in
some lonesome valley
Where womankind cannot be found
Where little birds sing
upon the branches
And every moment
has a different sound
O Peggy Gordon
You are my darling
Come sit you down upon my knee
And tell to me the very reason
Why I am slighted so by thee



All comments from YouTube:

@derekb5422

Have you ever heard such a sweet Irish voice!? You may be gone a long time Luke but you'll never be forgotten.

@zemboulannie

cela m'a fait très plaisir de retrouver cette magnifique chanson on chantait bien dans les pubs à Dublin à,la fin des années 60....et j'y étais

@dermymoto

One in a billion, Ireland must always be proud of this truly amazing man

@georgianwindow

Oh Luke What a singer you were. I forgot all about this song for 30 years. How nice to hear it again.  

@lisawinfield5502

I love his voice !!!
Such beauty x

@bluenote8968

My late mother’s party piece, after a few drams. She always did it justice.

@TheMerseyBoy

tremendous stuff - thanks for putting this up, gives me goose-pimples does luke's voice

@marksheekey

Heard this when i was a kid it still has amazing truth and emotion ;woman problems and the dream o ftrue love all combined in a masterpiece of truth:

@jamiecorrigan6083

GREATEST LIVE SHOWS EVER! THE DUBLINERS LEGEND!!!!!!!!

@daisypeters3216

The Great man! This loved, marvelous singer. Our Luke Kelly Will never be forgotten. Rest in peace and God bless you forever. Why not build a statue of the Dubliners?😘💖🎵🎼🎼🎵🎵👏👏👏🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪. I think all the irish people deserves this monument .

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