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.
Spanish lady
The Dubliners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At the hour of twelve at night
Who should I spy but a Spanish lady
Washing her feet by the candlelight
First she washed them, then she dried them
Over a fire of amber coals
In all me life I ne'er did see
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Ray lady
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Rye aye
As I came back through Dublin City
At the hour of half past eight
Who should I spy but the Spanish lady
Brushing her hair in the broad daylight
First she brushed it, then she tossed it
On her lap was a silver comb
In all me life I ne'er did see
A maid so fair since I did roam
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Ray lady
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Rye aye
As I returned to Dublin City
As the sun began to set
Who should I spy but a Spanish lady
Catching a moth, in a golden net
First she saw me, then she fled me
Lifted her petticoats o'er her knee
In all me life I ne'er did see
A maid so fair as the Spanish lady
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Ray lady
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Rye aye
I've wandered north and I have wonder south
Through Stoney Barter and Patrick's close
Up and around, by the Gloucester Diamond
And back by Napper Tandys' house
Auld age has laid her hands on me
Cold as a fire of ashy coals
But there is the love of me Spanish lady
A maid so sweet about the soul
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Ray lady
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Rye aye
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Ray lady
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Rye aye
"Spanish Lady" is a traditional Irish folk song which tells the story of a young man who comes across a Spanish lady washing her feet by candlelight in Dublin city at midnight. The young man is immediately taken with her and is struck by her beauty and grace. As the song progresses, he encounters the Spanish lady again on two more occasions, in the daylight and at sunset, and despite her attempts to flee him, he remains enchanted by her.
The lyrics of "Spanish Lady" are notable for their use of traditional Irish folklore and imagery. The references to the "fire of amber coals" and the "silver comb" evoke a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time, while the repeated refrain of "Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Ray Lady" adds a lively, almost jocular element to the song. At the same time, the song's central theme - the fascination and longing for a beautiful and unattainable object of desire - is a universal one that resonates across cultures and generations.
Line by Line Meaning
As I came down through Dublin City
I started walking through Dublin City
At the hour of twelve at night
At midnight
Who should I spy but a Spanish lady
I saw a lady from Spain
Washing her feet by the candlelight
She was washing her feet by the light of a candle
First she washed them, then she dried them
She washed and dried her feet
Over a fire of amber coals
She dried her feet near an amber fire
In all me life I ne'er did see
In all my life I have never seen
A maid so sweet about the soul
Such a sweet lady at heart
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Ray lady
Cheering for the lady with the music
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Rye aye
More cheering for the lady
As I came back through Dublin City
As I came back through Dublin City
At the hour of half past eight
At half past eight
Who should I spy but the Spanish lady
I saw the Spanish lady again
Brushing her hair in the broad daylight
She was brushing her hair in daylight
First she brushed it, then she tossed it
She brushed and tossed her hair
On her lap was a silver comb
She had a silver comb on her lap
In all me life I ne'er did see
In all my life I have never seen
A maid so fair since I did roam
Such a beautiful lady since I started wandering
As I returned to Dublin City
As I returned to Dublin City
As the sun began to set
As the sun was setting
Who should I spy but a Spanish lady
I saw the same Spanish lady again
Catching a moth, in a golden net
She was catching a moth in a golden net
First she saw me, then she fled me
She saw me and ran away
Lifted her petticoats o'er her knee
She lifted her dress over her knee
Auld age has laid her hands on me
Old age has caught up to me
Cold as a fire of ashy coals
As cold as ashes
But there is the love of me Spanish lady
But I still have love for the Spanish lady
A maid so sweet about the soul
Such a sweet lady at heart
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Ray lady
Cheering for the lady with the music
Whack for the Too Rye, ooh, Rye aye
More cheering for the lady
Lyrics © Public Domain
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@allisonedwards415
As I went out through Dublin City, at the hour of twelve in the night,
Who should I see but the Spanish Lady washing her feet by candlelight
First she washed them,then she dried them over a fire of amber coals
In all me life I ne'er did see a maid so neat about the soul
Chorus:
Whack fol de tur eh lura ladie
Whack fol de tur eh lura ley
Whack fol de tur eh lura ladie
Whack fol de tur eh lura ley
As I came back through Dublin City at the time of half past eight,
Who should I see but the Spanish Lady,brushing her hair so trim and neat
First she teased it, then she brushed it on her lap was a silver comb
In all me life I ne'er did see, so fair a maid since I did roam.
As I went round old Dublin City, when the sun began to set
Who should I meet but the Spanish lady catching of moth in a golden net.
When she spied me, quick she fled me,lifting her petticoat o'er her knee
In all me life I ne'er did see, a maid so gay as the Spanish Lady
I stopped to look but the watchman passed says he "young fella now the night is late"
Along with you now or I will wrestle you straight way through the Bridewell gate
I threw a kiss to the Spanish lady hot as a fire of angry coal
In all me life I ne`er did see a maid so sweet about the soul
As I went out through Dublin city as the hour of dawn was o`er
Who should I see but the Spanish lady, I was lonely and footsore
First she coaxed me then she chid me, then she laughed at my sad plight
In all me time I ne`er did see a maid so sweet as on that night
I`ve wandered north, and I have wonder south through Stoneybatter and Patrick`s Close
Up and around, by the Gloucester Diamond and round by Napper Tandys' house
Old age has laid her hand on me, cold as a fire of ashey coal....
But, where is the lovely Spanish Lady, neat and sweet about the soul
@fatbap
As I went out through Dublin City, at the hour of twelve in the night, who should I see but the Spanish Lady washing her feet by candlelight,
first she washed them, then she dried them over a fire of amber coals, in all me life I ne'er did see a maid so neat about the soul.
Whack fol de tur eh lura ladie,
Whack fol de tur eh lura ley,
Whack fol de tur eh lura ladie,
Whack fol de tur eh lura ley.
As I came back through Dublin City, at the time of half past eight,
who should I see but the Spanish Lady, brushing her hair so trim and neat,
first she teased it, then she brushed it, on her lap was a silver comb,
in all me life I ne'er did see, so fair a maid since I did roam.
As I went round old Dublin City, when the sun began to set,
who should I meet but the Spanish lady catching, a moth in a golden net,
when she spied me, quick she fled me, lifting her petticoat o'er her knee,
in all me life I ne'er did see, a maid so gay as the Spanish Lady.
I stopped to look but the watchman passed says he "young fella now the night is late",
along with you now or I will wrestle you, straight way through the Bridewell gate,
I threw a kiss to the Spanish lady, hot as a fire of angry coal,
in all me life I ne`er did see, a maid so sweet about the soul.
As I went out through Dublin city, as the hour of dawn was o`er,
who should I see but the Spanish lady, I was lonely and footsore,
first she coaxed me then she chid me, then she laughed at my sad plight,
in all me time I ne`er did see, a maid so sweet as on that night.
I`ve wandered north, and I`ve wandered south, through Stoneybatter and Patrick`s Close,
up and around by the Gloucester Diamond and round by Napper Tandys' house,
old age has laid her hand on me, cold as a fire of ashey coal,
but where is the lovely Spanish Lady, neat and sweet about the soul.
@mariannehopkin6882
Beautiful song, i know it for nearly 25 years and i still enjoy listening to. With love from Romania!
@19Tharg76
how's Drac?
@oldtomfool
Romania my second home.
@EaSyG232
Good man yourself 🤟🙏
@gryffingone8155
hello, from bulgaria
@cliveturnerjw4465
Hello from Sherwood, Nottingham UK.
@ternak001
Rest In Peace, Luke Kelly, Ronnie Drew, Jim McCann, Ciarán Bourke, Barney McKenna. The super talented Dubliners, Lord cannot explain the spiritual impact they had on the happiness of souls. Rise from the Dead, Finnegan!
@ZoneLoner
How could you forget Jim McCann was the replacement for Luke Kelly right?
@ramsfanyt8227
@TheDoctorIsIn No he replaced Ciaran Bourke and he met Luke Kelly when he invited them on his show and due to Bourke's illness he took over and began singing when Ronnie Drew left. Sean Cannon took over Kelly but I think Ronnie Drew had come back since then and McCann left to allow Drew to become the centre-stage again and Drew and McCann only ever performed together in 2002 at the 40 years reunion show. Drew just came and went but in my opinion he had the best voice out of all of them all though Kelly was a close second.
@TheTraveldiaries1
Love these traditional Irish songs !!