Formed by Leo Moran and Davy Carton, members have included singer, guitarist, and mandolin player John "Turps" Burke; bass player Pearse Doherty; keyboard and accordion player Tony Lambert; keyboard player and guitarist Derek Murray; and drummers Padraig Stevens, John Donnelly, Jimi Higgins, and Fran Breen. The current line-up is Leo Moran (vocals, guitar), Davy Carton (vocals, guitar), Kevin Duffy (keyboards), Anthony Thistlethwaite (bass guitar, saxphone), and Eímhín Craddock (drums).
There is a special place in rock 'n' roll mythology reserved for that rare phenomenon, the people's band. The Grateful Dead, The Faces, Status Quo and Bruce Springsteen during his years as leader of the E Street Band are examples which define the breed: performers who have established a special relationship with their audience irrespective of marketing budgets and media approval, and for whom the dictates of fashion are broadly meaningless. The Saw Doctors are the latest in this strangely noble line" - The Times
"One of the Great Live Bands"
Chris Evans, BBC Radio 2
"The Saw Doctors are the very definition of the people's band." - Q Magazine
"The band's formula can best be described as one part Creedence, one part Hootie, and one part Irish Historical Society" - Rolling Stone Magazine
"One of the world's most appealing roots rock outfits." - Washington Post
During 2010 the band played a number of music festival appearances, including playing at the 40th anniversary of the Glastonbury Festival. September 2010 saw the release of their seventh album, The Further Adventures of... The Saw Doctors.
In 2013 the band decided to quit touring .Three members (Moran, Thistlethwaite and O'Neill) have formed a band with fellow Galway musicians called The Cabin Collective. It is currently unknown whether the Saw Doctors will be returning from their break.
Joyce Country Céilí Band
The Saw Doctors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're the Joyce country ceili band
Playing away and we're doing grand
We're singing a song won't you give us a hand
‘cos we're the Joyce country ceili band
Friday night , off we go
Take it handy for the first few sets
Sure there's hardly anyone listening yet
Thomas and Mary out on the floor
Well they never lost it, that's for sure
in his sparking shoes and his daz-white shirt
She's got a brand new perm
And a pleated skirt
We do do's and functions
Weddings and wakes
Meats and salads, buns and cakes
Well if you need a few tunes just
give us a call
For the house the pub or the parish hall
There's a princess on the floor all night
She can fairly throw them shapes alright
Howya Bridie are you on you own?
How'reya fixed far a spin back home
The Saw Doctors's song "Joyce Country Ceili Band" is a tribute to a group of young musicians who used to gather every second Friday night in Clonbur, in Joyce Country. They were christened the Joyce Country Ceili Band by Pearse, and the song celebrates their lively gatherings. The lyrics describe the band's various members, their attire, and their performances. They play at events ranging from weddings and wakes to house parties and parish halls. The song captures the joyful, lighthearted spirit of these gatherings, with the band urging the audience to join them in song and dance.
The lyrics evoke a sense of community and celebration, with the band members playing for their friends and neighbors. They are a source of entertainment and joy, with their music and performance bringing people together. Through their music, the band members forge connections and create a shared sense of identity. The song celebrates their spirit of collaboration and the joy that comes from coming together to play music and dance. It is a celebration of the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
We're the Joyce country ceili band
The singer is a member of a musical group in Joyce County, referred to as the Joyce Country Ceili Band.
Playing away and we're doing grand
The band is playing music and enjoying themselves.
We're singing a song won't you give us a hand
The band is requesting audience participation and asking them to join in the singing.
‘Cos we're the Joyce country ceili band
The band reiterates that they are the Joyce Country Ceili Band, and invites the audience to enjoy their music.
Friday night , off we go
The band usually performs on Friday nights.
Tune the fiddle , strain the bow
The musicians start to tune their instruments such as the fiddle and prepare for the performance.
Take it handy for the first few sets
The band decides to start with a slower pace for the first few musical sequences.
Sure there's hardly anyone listening yet
At the beginning of the performance, there are few people in the audience.
Thomas and Mary out on the floor
Two people named Thomas and Mary are dancing to the music.
Well they never lost it, that's for sure
Thomas and Mary are excellent dancers.
in his sparking shoes and his daz-white shirt
Thomas is wearing shiny shoes and a white shirt.
She's got a brand new perm
A woman in the audience, named Bridie, has a new hairdo.
And a pleated skirt
Bridie is wearing a skirt with pleats.
We do do's and functions
The band plays at events such as parties and gatherings.
Weddings and wakes
The events they play at include weddings and funerals.
Meats and salads, buns and cakes
They may perform at events which involve food, such as picnics or barbecues.
Well if you need a few tunes just give us a call
The band invites people to get in touch if they need music for an event.
For the house the pub or the parish hall
They can play at various venues such as homes, pubs, or community centers.
There's a princess on the floor all night
There is a woman on the dancefloor who is very skilled and popular.
She can fairly throw them shapes alright
She is an excellent dancer and performs impressive moves.
Howya Bridie are you on you own?
The artists ask Bridie if she came to the event alone.
How'reya fixed far a spin back home
They ask if she needs a ride home after the event.
Contributed by Camden P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@carolynenman7111
We're the Joyce country ceili band
Playing away and we're doing grand
We're singing a song won't you give us a hand
?Cos we're the Joyce Country Ceili Band
Friday night , off we go
Tune the fiddle , strain the bow
Take it handy for the first few sets
Sure there's hardly anyone listening yet
And we're the Joyce Country Ceili Band
Playing away and we're doing grand
We're singing a song won't you give us a hand
?cos we're the Joyce Country Ceili Band
Thomas and Mary out on the floor
Well they never lost it, that's for sure
In his sparking shoes and his daz-white shirt
She's got a brand new perm
And a pleated skirt
Cos we're the Joyce Country Ceili Band
Playing away and we're doing grand
We're singing a song won't you give us a hand
?Cos we're the Joyce Country Ceili Band
We do do's and functions
Weddings and wakes
Meats and salads, buns and cakes
Well if you need a few tunes just give us a call
For the house the pub or the parish hall
And we're the Joyce Country Ceili Band
Playing away and we're doing grand
We're singing a song won't you give us a hand
?Cos we're the Joyce Country Ceili Band
There's a princess on the floor all night
(Mona, Mona call her Mona)
She can fairly throw them shapes alright
Howya madge are you on you own?
Howya fixed far a seat back home
And we're the Joyce Country Ceili Band
Playing away and we're doing grand
We're singing a song won't you give us a hand
?Cos we're the Joyce Country Ceili Band
Yes we're the Joyce Country Ceili Band
@shaneblackwell1698
I had my Wife buy me this show on dvd just on strength of hearing this track....bloody marvellous the show was
@cesarchivas1991
Heard this song in a pub while visiting Ireland and fell in love with it right away, cheers 🥂 from Mexico...
@janeogrady1469
Welcome to Ireland it's a pleasure to have you all
@cesarchivas1991
@@janeogrady1469 were just there for vacation but had an incredible time so much fun can't wait to return some day
@edwardgiblin9928
H😢 @@janeogrady1469 .🎉 really a😅
@healypa
De Nada, amigo
@rosemarysmith4714
This can pull me out of a sour mood any day of the year, their smiles are contagious!
@johnomahony4686
Aww sure ye know dat
@breadofloaf3513
@@johnomahony4686 couldnt have said it better myself
@bridgetmcclure-jones3952
Love Saw Doctors!! Thank feck ye still going ye amazing fellas!!!