The Pogues were founded in King's Cross, a district in north London, in 1982 as Pogue Mahone - "pogue mahone" being the Anglicisation of the Irish póg mo thóin, meaning "kiss my arse". The band specialised in Irish folk music, often playing with the energy of the punk rock scene from which several of the members had their roots.
Their politically-tinged music was reminiscent of The Clash, with whom they played (Joe Strummer produced one of their albums and even joined the group briefly), and used traditional Irish instruments such as the tin whistle, banjo, cittern, mandolin, accordion, and more. In the later incarnations of the band, after the departure of Shane MacGowan, electronic instruments such as the electric guitar would become more prominent. The first of The Pogues' albums, Red Roses for Me, borrows much from the punk tradition of MacGowan's previous band The Nipple Erectors (later dubbed The Nips).
Band history
Shane MacGowan (vocals), James Fearnley (accordion) and Spider Stacy (tin whistle) were the original members of the Pogues, in the days when they busked on the streets of London. Before the rest of the group formed, MacGowan and Stacy were rumoured to have played impromptu performances on street corners and city buses which attracted local interest to their talent. They later added Jeremy 'Jem' Finer (guitar, banjo), Cait O'Riordan (bass) and Andrew Ranken (drums). The band rapidly developed a reputation, started releasing independent work, and ended up opening for The Clash on tour in 1984. Shortening their name to "The Pogues" due to lack of radio play for the curse in their name, they released their first album Red Roses for Me that October.
Phil Chevron (guitar) joined the group soon after, then with the aid of punk and new wave forefather Elvis Costello they recorded the follow up, Rum Sodomy & the Lash, in 1985 (The album title is a famous comment attributed, probably falsely, to Winston Churchill and others in describing the traditions of the British Royal Navy). The album cover featured The Raft of the Medusa, though the faces on the characters in Géricault's painting have been replaced with those of the band members. While the first album had featured a higher percentage of traditional songs, Shane MacGowan came into his own as a songwriter with this disc, offering up poetic story-telling, such as "The Sick Bed of Cúchulainn" and "The Old Main Drag," as well as definitive interpretations of Ewan MacColl's "Dirty Old Town" and Eric Bogle's "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda," the latter of which has become more popular than the original recording.
The band failed to take advantage of the momentum created by the strong artistic and commercial success of their second album. They first refused to record another album (offering up the 4 track EP Poguetry in Motion instead); O'Riordan married Costello and left the band, to be replaced by bassist Darryl Hunt; and they added a multi-instrumentalist in Terry Woods, formerly of Steeleye Span. Looming over the band at this period (as throughout their entire career) was the increasingly erratic behaviour of their vocalist, principal songwriter and creative visionary, Shane MacGowan.
Success & breakup
The band remained stable enough to record If I Should Fall from Grace with God in 1988 (with its Christmas hit duet with Kirsty MacColl "Fairytale of New York") and 1989's Peace and Love. The band was at the peak of its commercial success, with both albums making the top 5 in the UK (nos. 3 and 5 respectively), but MacGowan was spiralling out of control. Following their next album, Hell's Ditch, MacGowan and the band parted company in 1991.
With his departure, the band was thrown into a state of flux. Without their singer, vocal duties were for a time handled by Joe Strummer, before Stacy finally took over permanently. Two politely received albums followed, the first of which, Waiting for Herb, contained the band's third and final top twenty single, "Tuesday Morning" which became their best selling single internationally. In 1996, the Pogues disbanded with just three members remaining.
Post breakup
Shane MacGowan founded Shane MacGowan and The Popes in 1994. They recorded two studio albums in the period up to their split in 2002. MacGowan's autobiography, A Drink With Shane MacGowan, co-written with his journalist girlfriend Victoria Mary Clarke, appeared in 2001. During this time the three other long-term members of the Pogues (Spider Stacy, Andrew Ranken and Darryl Hunt) played together briefly as the Vendettas.
Reunion
The band, including MacGowan, re-formed for a Christmas tour in 2001 and performed 9 shows in the UK in December [2004]. In 2002 Q magazine named The Pogues as one of the "50 Bands To See Before You Die". Also in December 2004, VH1 Conducted a poll to find the best Christmas song ever, with "Fairytale of New York" coming number one with 2,650 of the 10,000 votes cast - over 25%. In early 2005, VH1 conducted another poll to find the 100 greatest number ones that never Were, With The Pogues coming in at number 27.
In July 2005, the band - again including MacGowan - played at the annual Guilfest festival in Guildford before flying out to Japan where they played three dates. Japan is the last place they all played together before MacGowan was originally sacked in 1991, and they have a strong following there. They played a date in Spain in early September. The reunited Pogues played dates in the UK with support from the Dropkick Murphys in late 2005, and re-released their 1987 Christmas classic "Fairytale Of New York" on 19th December, which went straight in at #3 in the UK Singles charts on Christmas Day 2005, showing the song's enduring popularity. On December 22nd 2005 the BBC broadcast a live performance (recorded the previous week) on the Jonathan Ross Christmas show with Katie Melua. "Fairytale of New York" was voted the greatest Christmas Record of all time for the second year running in a poll by UK Music Channel VH1, with "Fairytale of New York" taking in a whopping 39% of the overall vote.
The band was awarded the life-time achievement award at the annual Meteor Ireland Music Awards in February 2006.
In March 2011, the Pogues played a six-city/ten-show sell-out US tour titled "A Parting Glass with The Pogues". In August 2012, The Pogues undertook a 30th Anniversary European Tour.
Discography
Albums
Red Roses for Me - 1984, #89 UK
Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash - 1985, #13 UK
Poguetry in Motion (EP) - 1986, #29
If I Should Fall from Grace with God - 1988, #3 UK, #88 US
Peace and Love - 1989, #5 UK
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah (EP) - 1990, #43 UK
Hell's Ditch - 1990, #11 UK
Waiting for Herb - 1993, #20 UK
Pogue Mahone - 1996
The Best of The Pogues - 1991, #11 UK
The Rest of the Best - 1992
The Very Best of The Pogues - 2001, #18
The Ultimate Collection including Live at the Brixton Academy - 2001, #15 UK
Dirty Old Town: The Platinum Collection
Sally MacLennane
The Pogues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He played it from the night time to the peaceful early morn'
He soothed the souls of psychos and the men who had the horn
And they all looked very happy in the morning
But Jimmy didn't like his place in this world of ours
Where the elephant man broke strong men's necks when he'd had too many pours
So sad to see the grieving and the people that I'm leaving
We walked him to the station in the rain
We kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
(Far away) I'm sad to say I must be on me way
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally Maclennane
The years went by, the times had changed I grew to be a man
I learned to love the virtues of sweet Sally Maclennane
I took the jeers and drank the beers and crawled back home at dawn
And ended up a barman in the morning
I played the pump and took the hump and watered whiskey down
I talked of whores and horses to the men who drank the brown
I heard them say that Jimmy's making money far away
And some people left for heaven without warning
We walked him to the station in the rain
We kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
(Far away) I'm sad to say I must be on me way
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally Maclennane
When Jimmy came back home he was surprised that they were gone
He asked me all the details of the train that they went on
Some people they are scared to croak but Jimmy drank until he choked
Took the road for heaven in the morning
We walked him to the station in the rain
And we kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
(Far away) I'm sad to say I must be on me way
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally Maclennane
The Pogues' song Sally MacLennane tells the story of Jimmy, a harmonica player in the pub where the singer was born. Jimmy played for hours until the early morning, soothing the souls of the people who came to listen to him. However, Jimmy wasn't happy with his place in this world and didn't want to end up like the "elephant man," a reference to Joseph Merrick, who had a rare deformity and was displayed as a freak show attraction. So, Jimmy decided to leave and took the road to an unknown destination.
The singer and his friends walked Jimmy to the station in the rain, sang him a song of times long gone and kissed him goodbye, knowing they would see him again. Years went by, and the singer grew up, learned to love the virtues of Sally Maclennane, took the jeers and drank the beers, and ended up being a barman. He learned that some people left for heaven without warning and that Jimmy was making money far away. When Jimmy came back home and found out that his friends were gone, he got drunk until he choked and took the road for heaven.
Sally MacLennane is a nostalgic song that talks about friendship, loss, and longing for the good old days. The lyrics convey a sense of community and belonging to a specific place, a pub where people gathered to drink, listen to music, and share their stories. At the same time, it also reflects the reality of people leaving and never coming back, whether by choice or fate.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, Jimmy played harmonica in the pub where I was born
Jimmy was a harmonica player who performed at the pub where the singer was born
He played it from the night time to the peaceful early morn'
Jimmy played his harmonica from night to early morning, providing music and entertainment for the patrons
He soothed the souls of psychos and the men who had the horn
Jimmy's harmonica playing had a calming effect on the troubled souls and also on the men who were desperately seeking love and affection
And they all looked very happy in the morning
The patrons of the pub were very pleased and happy with Jimmy's performance
But Jimmy didn't like his place in this world of ours
Jimmy did not feel satisfied with the life he was leading
Where the elephant man broke strong men's necks when he'd had too many pours
The reference to the elephant man breaking men's necks suggests a violent and dangerous environment, which Jimmy found oppressive
So sad to see the grieving and the people that I'm leaving
Jimmy felt sad to see the mournful people he was leaving behind
And he took the road for god knows in the morning
Jimmy chose to leave the pub and take a different path, although his destination was uncertain
We walked him to the station in the rain
The artist and others accompanied Jimmy to the train station in the rain
We kissed him as we put him on the train
They gave Jimmy a farewell kiss as they put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
The group sang an old, sentimental song to Jimmy to bid him farewell
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
Despite Jimmy's departure, they expected to see him again
(Far away) I'm sad to say I must be on me way
The singer is sad to leave and go on his own journey
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
The singer asks for a drink before leaving for his journey
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
The singer hopes to come back to the pub in the future
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally Maclennane
The artist refers to the pub as the greatest little boozer, specifically mentioning Sally Maclennane
The years went by, the times had changed I grew to be a man
Time passed, and the artist grew up and matured
I learned to love the virtues of sweet Sally Maclennane
The singer developed an appreciation for the good qualities of Sally Maclennane and the pub
I took the jeers and drank the beers and crawled back home at dawn
The singer endured teasing and insults but still enjoyed drinking and socializing at the pub until dawn
And ended up a barman in the morning
The artist became a bartender at the pub
I played the pump and took the hump and watered whiskey down
The artist served drinks and dealt with problematic customers at the bar
I talked of whores and horses to the men who drank the brown
The artist engaged in typical bar talk with the male customers
I heard them say that Jimmy's making money far away
The singer heard rumors that Jimmy was doing well financially in a distant place
And some people left for heaven without warning
Some patrons of the pub passed away suddenly, without any warning
When Jimmy came back home he was surprised that they were gone
Jimmy returned home and was saddened to find out that some of the regulars at the pub had passed away
He asked me all the details of the train that they went on
Jimmy asked for information about the train that the departed patrons had taken
Some people they are scared to croak but Jimmy drank until he choked
Some people are afraid of dying, but Jimmy apparently drank until he died
Took the road for heaven in the morning
Jimmy passed away, choosing the path to heaven
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Shane Patrick Lysaght Macgowan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PatIreland
Well Jimmy played harmonica in the pub where I was born
He played it from the night time to the peaceful early morn
He soothed the souls of psychos and the men who had the horn
And they all looked very happy in the morning
Now Jimmy didn't like his place in this world of ours
Where the elephant man broke strong men's necks
When he'd had too many Powers
So sad to see the grieving of the people that I'm leaving
And he took the road for God knows in the morning
We walked him to the station in the rain
We kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
Sad to say I must be on my way
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally MacLennane
The years passed by the times had changed I grew to be a man
I learned to love the virtues of sweet Sally MacLennane
I took the jeers and drank the beers and crawled back home at dawn
And ended up a barman in the morning
I played the pump and took the hump and watered whiskey down
I talked of whores and horses to the men who drank the brown
I heard them say that Jimmy's making money far away
And some people left for heaven without warning
We walked him to the station in the rain
We kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
sad to say I must be on my way
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally MacLennane
When Jimmy came back home he was surprised that they were gone
He asked me all the details of the train that they went on
Some people they are scared to croak but Jimmy drank until he choked
And he took the road for heaven in the morning
We walked him to the station in the rain
And we kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
Sad to say I must be on my way
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally MacLennane
@leopoldbloom4835
And he took the road to heaven in the morning. Rest in peace, Shane.
@stevehope9440
Gotta be Fairtytale for Xmas No1. Bless him, RIP 😔
@klementinarogar8304
The most loved Drunken voice is now making Heaven much more fun of a place
@ViKaKuKaRaChA
Sad to say i must be on my way! Ciao buddy
@leopoldbloom4835
@@klementinarogar8304 wherever he is now, I want to go there when it‘s time.
@klementinarogar8304
Well, he's on that cool place with all the cool musicians, I guess 😎.
But, actually, He is with us , in his music....always...
@user-ho8wj2rb2s
RIP Shane, one of the heroes of my youth, forever in my pantheon and in my heart and immortal through the art you have given us. Love from Italy.
@marvinthemaniac7698
Shane inspired me to start a career in music after high school.
@barbarabaldwin7120
Amazing how many people felt this loss--of assorted ages, too....We will all meet again...
@user-ho8wj2rb2s
@@barbarabaldwin7120 It's heartwarming to see how much Shane was loved all around the world