The Lumineers is an American folk rock band based in Denver, Colorado forme… Read Full Bio ↴The Lumineers is an American folk rock band based in Denver, Colorado formed by Wesley Schultz (lead vocals, guitar) and Jeremiah Fraites (drums, percussion). Schultz and Fraites began writing and performing together in Ramsey, New Jersey in 2005. Cellist and vocalist Neyla Pekarek joined the band in 2010, and was a member until 2018.

The band's debut self-titled album was released on April 3, 2012. The album's first single, "Ho Hey" reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.

The Ho Hey Songfacts reports that Schultz and Fraites were originally based in New York and started collaborating in 2002 after Fraites’ brother, Josh, who was also Schultz’s best friend died of an overdose. The pair began writing and performing to cope with their grief and they later relocated to Denver, where they met the classically trained Pekarek after advertising for a cellist.

Their self-titled debut album The Lumineers was released on April 3, 2012, on Dualtone Records.

Their second album, Cleopatra, was released in 2016.

The band's third album, titled III, was released on September 13, 2019 and debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200.

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Charlie Boy
The Lumineers Lyrics

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Charlie boy, don't go to war,
First born in '44
Kennedy made him believe
We could do much more

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

And Lillian, don't hang your head,

Love should make you feel good
In uniform you raised a man,
Who volunteered to stand

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

Play the bugle, play the taps
Make your mothers proud
Raise your rifles to the sky, boys
Fire that volley loud

News was bad on Upland Ave.,
Metuchen mourn our loss
Sons rebelled, while fathers yelled,
And mothers clutched the cross

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

Play the bugle, play the taps
Make your fathers proud

Raise your rifles to the sky, boys
Fire that volley loud

Overall Meaning

The Lumineers' song Charlie Boy tells the story of a young man who was the first born in his family in the year 1944. Charlie is told not to go to war, but he is convinced by Kennedy's persuasion that America can do much more. Lillian, Charlie's mother, is told not to hang her head and that love should make her feel good. She raised a son who volunteered to stand in uniform. The song has a mournful tone and plays homage to those who have lost their lives in wars, both those who were killed and the families they left behind. Charlie's story is a tragedy that reflects the sacrifices made by those who answer the call to serve their country.

The lyrics of the song contain familiar themes that reflect the sorrow of losing loved ones and the pride of a country at war. It paints a vivid picture of the grief felt by families who lose children, husbands, and fathers in wars. On the other hand, it also conveys a sense of pride and honor for the sacrifices made by soldiers who served their country. The solemn lyrics are coupled with an upbeat melody that is both sentimental and nostalgic, creating a unique musical experience.

Line by Line Meaning

Charlie boy, don't go to war,
Charlie, please don't go to war, it's not worth it.

First born in '44
Charlie was born in 1944.

Kennedy made him believe
The government convinced Charlie that they could accomplish great things in the war effort.

We could do much more
Charlie was led to believe that they could do more in the war than they actually could.

And Lillian, don't hang your head,
Lillian, do not be sad.

Love should make you feel good
Love should bring happiness.

In uniform you raised a man,
Lillian raised a man who went on to fight in the war.

Who volunteered to stand
Charlie chose to enlist in the military.

Play the bugle, play the taps
Bugles and taps are played at military funerals.

Make your mothers proud
Make your moms proud with your service in the military.

Raise your rifles to the sky, boys
Point your guns to the sky and fire in honor of the fallen soldiers.