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.
Tibby Dunbar
The Dubliners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O willt thou go wi' me sweet Tibby Dunbar
Wether ride on a horse or been drawn in a cart
Or walk by my side sweet Tibby Dunbar
I care not thy daddy, his land or his money
Thy pal and Thy kin say high and say lowly
But say That thou're with me for better or worse
I offer you nay thing in sillar(silver) or land
What men could determin the price of your hand
But gave you consent we'd be richer by far
O willt thou go wi' me sweet Tibby Dunbar
O will to be known as a poor beggar's lady
And sleep in the heather rolled up in my pladie
The sky for a roof and each candle a star
My love for a fire sweet Tibby Dunbar
O willt thou go wi' me sweet Tibby Dunbar
O willt thou go wi' me sweet Tibby Dunbar
Wether a ride on a horse or been drawn in a cart
Or walk by my side sweet Tibby Dunbar
The song Tibby Dunbar by The Dubliners is a Scottish traditional ballad which talks about a man named Tibby Dunbar who is in love with a girl named Tibby Dunbar. In the first stanza, the man asks Tibby if she would go with him whether it is by horse, cart, or walking by his side. He doesn't care about her father's land or money, nor does he care about her status or kin, all he wants is Tibby by his side for better or worse. The man offers Tibby anything, be it silver or land, and says that they both would be richer, but the condition is her consent.
In the second stanza, the man questions Tibby whether she would be willing to be known as a poor beggar's lady and sleep in the heather rolled up in his pladie, which is a Scottish garment made of wool. He says that the sky would be their roof and each candle would be a star, and his love for her would be their fire. The man repeats his initial question, asking Tibby if she would go with him by any means of transport.
The song emphasizes the depth of love the man has for Tibby and how he is willing to leave behind everything he has to be with her. The repetitive questioning of Tibby indicates his desperation and urgency to have her by his side. The song can be interpreted as a plea for Tibby's love and commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
O willt thou go wi' me sweet Tibby Dunbar
Will you accompany me, dear Tibby Dunbar?
O willt thou go wi' me sweet Tibby Dunbar
Again I ask, sweet Tibby Dunbar, will you come with me?
Wether ride on a horse or been drawn in a cart
Whether we ride on horseback or journey in a cart
Or walk by my side sweet Tibby Dunbar
Or simply walk by my side, my dear Tibby Dunbar
I care not thy daddy, his land or his money
I do not care for your father's wealth or property, dear Tibby Dunbar
Thy pal and Thy kin say high and say lowly
Your friends and family may have their opinions, good or bad
But say That thou're with me for better or worse
But all that matters is that you are with me through thick and thin
And come in your poetry sweet Tibby Dunbar
Please come with me, dear Tibby Dunbar, and bring your poetry
I offer you nay thing in sillar(silver) or land
I offer you nothing of material value, be it silver or land
What men could determin the price of your hand
No man could ever determine the value of your hand in marriage
But gave you consent we'd be richer by far
But if you consent to be with me, we would be far richer in love and happiness
O willt thou go wi' me sweet Tibby Dunbar
Once again, my dear Tibby Dunbar, will you come with me?
O will to be known as a poor beggar's lady
Would you be willing to be known as a poor beggar's lady, my dear Tibby Dunbar?
And sleep in the heather rolled up in my pladie
And sleep on the heather, wrapped up in my tartan blanket
The sky for a roof and each candle a star
With the sky as our roof and each candle as a star, our love would be our only shelter
My love for a fire sweet Tibby Dunbar
And my love for you would be the only warmth we need, my sweet Tibby Dunbar
Contributed by Chloe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
bagpuss
O willt thou go wi' me sweet Tibby Dunbar
O willt thou go wi' me sweet Tibby Dunbar
Wether ride on a horse or been drawn in a cart
Or walk by my side sweet Tibby Dunbar
I care not thy daddy, his land or his money
Thy pal and Thy kin say high and say lowly
But say That thou're with me for better or worse
And come in your poetry sweet Tibby Dunbar
I offer you nay thing in sillar(silver) or land
What men could determin the price of your hand
But gave you consent we'd be richer by far
O willt thou go wi' me sweet Tibby Dunbar
O will to be known as a poor beggar's lady
And sleep in the heather rolled up in my pladie
The sky for a roof and each candle a star
My love for a fire sweet Tibby Dunbar
O willt thou go wi' me sweet Tibby Dunbar
O willt thou go wi' me sweet Tibby Dunbar
Wether a ride on a horse or been drawn in a cart
Or walk by my side sweet Tibby Dunbar
Michael Thompson
Love this song! Thanks!
Michael Schultz
I i do Love the Irish Tradition
The Channel of positive minds
Tibby is Irish