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.
Peggy Gordon
The Dubliners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
[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
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
@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
@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 .