I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day
The Pogues Lyrics


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Oh, my name is Jock Stewart, I'm a canny gun man
And a roving young fellow I've been
So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
I'm a man you don't meet every day

I have acres of land I have men at command
I have always a shilling to spare
So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
I'm a man you don't meet every day

So come fill up you glasses of brandy and wine
Whatever it costs, I will pay
So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
I'm a man you don't meet every day

Well I took out my dog and him I did shoot
All down in the county Kildare
So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
I'm a man you don't meet every day

So come fill up you glasses of brandy and wine
Whatever it costs, I will pay
So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
I'm a man you don't meet every day





So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
I'm a man you don't meet every day

Overall Meaning

The Pogues' song I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day is a traditional Irish folk song with the band's own unique, rowdy twist. The singer identifies himself as Jock Stewart, a "canny gun man" who has lived a roving and adventurous life, a man who is not easily found. He brags about his wealth and men at his command, having always enough money to spare. However, his true wild and rough character is revealed when he nonchalantly reveals that he shot his own dog during a hunting trip in Ireland’s County Kildare.


The song is essentially a drinking song, inviting those around him to join in with him with glasses of brandy and wine. With a lighthearted melody and playful lyrics, the song perfectly captures the playful and carefree spirit of a good drinking session. Although Jock Stewart is not someone one would want to meet every day, he is undoubtedly an entertaining drinking companion.


Overall, the song portrays the stereotype of the rugged and wild Irishman who enjoys nothing more than a good drink and a good fight. It is a celebration of the country's culture and traditions, as well as its joyful, unconstrained way of life.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh my name is Jock Stewart I'm a canny gun man
I am Jock Stewart, a skilled gunman.


And a roving young fellow I've been
I have been wandering and travelling around.


So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
Relax and have a good time with me when we drink together.


I'm a man you don't meet every day
I am unique and rare, not someone you meet every day.


I have acres of land I have men at command
I am wealthy and have people under my command.


I have always a shilling to spare
I always have extra money to spend.


Well I took out my dog and him I did shoot
I went hunting with my dog and shot a prey.


All down in the county Kildare
This happened in County Kildare, Ireland.


So come fill up you glasses of brandy and wine
Let's drink brandy and wine together.


Whatever it costs, I will pay
I am willing to pay for the drinks, no matter the price.


So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
Don't worry about anything when we drink together.


I'm a man you don't meet every day
I am a unique and rare person, not someone you meet every day.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DP, James Fearnley, Jem Finer, Shane Patrick Lysaght Macgowan, Cait O'Riordan, Andrew David Ranken, Peter Spider Stacey

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

@ccampbell8398

~Lyrics~
Oh my name is Jock Stewart I'm a canny gun man
And a roving young fellow I've been
So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
I'm a man you don't meet every day

I have acres of land I have men at command
I have always a shilling to spare
So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
I'm a man you don't meet every day

So come fill up you glasses of brandy and wine
Whatever it costs, I will pay
So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
I'm a man you don't meet every day

Well I took out my dog and him I did shoot
All down in the county Kildare
So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
I'm a man you don't meet every day

So come fill up you glasses of brandy and wine
Whatever it costs, I will pay
So be easy and free when you're drinking with me
I'm a man you don't meet every day
So be easy and free when your drinking with me
I’m a man you don’t meet everyday



All comments from YouTube:

@sjl265

You certainly were a man that you don’t meet every day. Rest easy Shane and thank you for the music ❤

@aclaretclaret3814

Cait O’Riordan’s voice is pure magic. Shame she didn’t sing more with the Pogues.

@carly8899

But this is Kirsty McCall; you know the one who sang on Fairytale of New York, canny be fucked with this.

@victorwaddell6530

Cait O'Riordan has the voice of a Syren .

@markporter1901

No, it isn’t. It’s Cait.

@mj.l

@Carly it isnae

@markgillan3750

Jock Stuart

9 More Replies...

@philippadodds9522

Rest in peace Shane. Thank you for the fantastic music. A wild and poetically lyrical Irish rover that you don't meet everyday. Legend...

@user-nf2yr1gn9k

What a beautiful voice Cait had. Even now it still moves me. Thanks for the everything, Shane. Truly, a life less ordinary. God bless you.

@Tniggz

My dad sang this to me as a child. Brings back many memories and a tear nearly every time.

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