The Rumjacks are a celtic, folk, punk band incorporating banjo, tin whistle and mandolin with roaring guitars and crashing drums into their sound.
Having spent the last few years peddling their blue collar brand of folkloric 'rotgut n' roll', The Rumjacks have swept aside tired comparisons to legends such as Billy Bragg and The Pogues – sure, the guys all have great respect and love for what came before them and are more than a little fond of traditional folk music, but they are forging their own sound, over rattling bottles and twisted tales, long nights up and down the East Coast of Australia and likely as not, sprawled on the floor when the sun comes up.
They released their debut album “Gangs Of New Holland” (Laughing Outlaw / Inertia) in September 2010 to critical acclaim – quotes below.
The band tours Australia relentlessly playing support to such bands as Gogol Bordello, Dropkick Murphys, UK Subs, The Aggrolites, GBH, The Snowdroppers and many more.
"...I’ve seen Dropkick Murphy’s live and I think I may just have had a better time with these scallywags from Sydney!" Fasterlouder.com.au
“Mixing the drunken raw storytelling of the Irish with the grit and honesty of street punk, they’re frontrunners in an ever-emerging scene...The Rumjacks are a band on the move” Drum Media
“...loudly touted, and not just by me as the future of Celtic punk.” Shite N Onions
By the people, for the people, with the people, The Rumjacks aren't just coming, they've been, gone and are coming back. Lay your tables and keep your lights on, they'll be home soon.
Marie's Wedding
The Rumjacks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm in arm and row on row
All for Mairi's wedding
()
Over hillways up and down
Past the shielings through the town
All for sake of Mairi
()
Red her cheeks as rowans are
Bright her eyes as any star
Fairest of them all by far
Is our darling Mairi
Oh plenty herring, plenty meal
Plenty peat to fill her creel
Plenty bonny bairns as well
That's the toast for Mairi
(6x
The song "Marie's Wedding" by The Rumjacks is a traditional Scottish folk song that celebrates the occasion of a wedding. The lyrics describe a lively procession of people dancing and singing as they follow the bride and groom to their wedding ceremony. The first verse calls for everyone to step gaily and move forward, keeping pace with one another. They walk arm in arm and row on row, showing their support and joy for the couple.
The second verse describes the journey the group takes, walking through hillways, past shielings, and through town. The natural scenery they pass by is described as myrtle green and bracken brown. The focus is on the journey and the celebration rather than the destination. The third verse is dedicated to the bride Marie, who is described as having bright eyes like a star and rosy cheeks like rowans. She is the fairest of them all, and is the reason for the celebration.
The final verse is a toast to Marie, wishing her plenty of herring, meal, and peat to sustain her in her new life. It also wishes her many beautiful children. The song ends by repeating the chorus six times, emphasizing the joy and celebration of the occasion.
Line by Line Meaning
Step we gaily, on we go
We proceed with joy and energy
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Our walking steps are in unison
Arm in arm and row on row
Our arms are linked as we march together in a line
All for Mairi's wedding
We gather and celebrate for the occasion of Mairi's wedding
Over hillways up and down
We journey across varied terrain
Myrtle green and bracken brown
We traverse through vegetation of various colors
Past the shielings through the town
We pass by the pastures and through the settlement
All for sake of Mairi
Our journey is in honor of Mairi
Red her cheeks as rowans are
Mairi's cheeks are as red as rowan berries
Bright her eyes as any star
Mairi's eyes are luminous like stars
Fairest of them all by far
Mairi is the most beautiful amongst us
Is our darling Mairi
This endearment highlights how we all cherish Mairi
Oh plenty herring, plenty meal
We wish Mairi abundance in fish and food
Plenty peat to fill her creel
May there be ample fuel for Mairi's cooking
Plenty bonny bairns as well
May there be many cheerful children in Mairi's family
That's the toast for Mairi
This is our celebratory wish for Mairi
Contributed by Blake Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dustin A.
on A Fistful O' Roses
I may be off but it seems to me, to be a song about a mans home country. A country he loved and fought for, who turned it's back on him upon his return. The chorus is in reference to him and his war buddies gathering after a funeral.