It was in 1963 that three neighbouring children from a quiet working-class Dublin suburb, Inchicore, brothers Brian and Derek and a pal Noel Nagle started playing round the fleadhs of Ireland more for fun than anything else. They used to get together at weekends playing Fleadh cheoils or music festivals, mainly as a pastime. Thoughts of fame and riches were a world away.
Brian and Noel had taken tin whistle lessons at the Pipers Club in Thomas Street in Dublin, while Derek took up the mandolin for no better reason than his father played it. During the summer of 1963 the four of them had hitch-hiked across Ireland, from Dublin to Kerry, for a weekend at a Fleadh Ceoil, an annual gathering of traditional Irish musicians where there's lashings of drink and non-stop music. The lads were really there for the beer although they did play and sing, but only for their own amusement.
Brian Warfield recalls what happened next: "I remember arriving in Killarney fairly late at night and looking around for somewhere to bed down. It was two o'clock in the morning as we trooped through the streets of the town and probably, because we had a few drinks in us, we started to play and sing. It was August and there were still some people on the streets. A few of them gathered around us as we sang and after a dozen tunes a fella with an American accent came up and asked us if we knew some song or other. We knew it - and played it for him."
In 2002 Derek Warfield left the group to pursue a solo career but the rump of The Wolfe Tones still tour constantly, usually appearing at small function halls. However, 2004 was their last tour year doing that. They continue to tour as a three-piece band comprising Brian Warfield, Noel Nagle and Tommy Byrne.
The well-known rebel song, "Celtic Symphony" was written by Brian Warfield in 1987 for the 100th anniversary of Celtic Football Club. It has been covered by countless bands around the world. Other famous songs written by the group include Joe McDonnell, a song about the life and death of the IRA Volunteer who was the 5th person to die on the 1981 Hunger Strike, which is also said to be their most popular stage song.
Paddy Lie Back
The Wolfe Tones Lyrics
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T'was(G) a cold and frosty(C) morning in Sep(G)tem(Em)ber
And(G) all of me money it was(A) spent,,(D)
Where it(G) went to oh(C) Lord I cant re(G)mem(Em)ber
So(G) down to the(D) shipping office(G) went
Oh(G) Paddy lie(C) back,oh Paddy lie back,
Take your turn put(Em) on your hats and jump fo(A)r board,,(D)
About(G) ship's for(C) England boys be(G) handy
For we'er(G) bound for Valp(C)arai so in the(G) morn
Last night there was a great demand for sailors
For the colonies for Frisco and for France
So I slipped aboard a lively barque,the Hotspur
And was paralytic drunk before before we went
There were Frenchmen,there were Germans there were Russians
There were jolly jacks came just across from from France
And not one of them could speak a word of English
But they'd awnser to the name of Bill or Dan
I woke up in the morning sick and sore
I wished I'd never sailed to sea once more
When a voice it came thundering through the floor
Get up and pay attention to your name
Well I wished that I was safely in the boozer
With Molly or with peggy on me knee
And I know exactly what I'd like to do now
And if you were here you'd do the same as me
The Wolfe Tones’ song Paddy Lie Back is a story of a sailor who wakes up hungover and disoriented in the morning after a wild night. The song’s lyrics evoke the feeling of a hazy, blurry morning that Paddy is experiencing after spending all his money and getting so drunk that he can't remember where his money went.
He heads to the shipping office, where he’s told there is a great demand for sailors for various colonies like Frisco, France, and England. Paddy is drunk and has no inhibitions, and he quickly jumps on a ship bound for Valparaiso, Chile. The song speaks about the sailors on board and how they are from different countries like Germany, Russia, and France. Many of these sailors can't speak English, except for the common names like Bill or Dan. Paddy wakes up the next day with a hangover and wishes he was on land with his lover, Molly, or Peggy.
The overall tone of the song is comical, where the lyrics are describing a hilarious situation that many sailors may have found themselves in. The Wolfe Tones emphasize the humor in such a situation, using vivid imagery and a fun melody to paint a picture of the drunken escapades of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
T'was a cold and frosty morning in September
It was a chilly and icy morning in September.
And all of me money it was spent
I had already spent all my money.
Where it went to oh Lord I can't remember
I couldn't remember where all my money went.
So down to the shipping office went
I went to the shipping office.
Oh Paddy lie back, oh Paddy lie back
Relax and take it easy, Paddy.
Take in your slack, take in your slack
Get ready to work and be prepared.
Take your turn put on your hats and jump for board
Get your gear on and prepare to board the ship.
About ship's for England boys be handy
We're shipping off to England, boys, so be ready.
For we'er bound for Valparai so in the morn
We're headed to Valparai in the morning.
Last night there was a great demand for sailors
Sailors were in high demand last night.
For the colonies for Frisco and for France
Sailors were needed for the colonies, Frisco, and France.
So I slipped aboard a lively barque, the Hotspur
I snuck onto the Hotspur ship.
And was paralytic drunk before we went
I was extremely drunk before we even left.
There were Frenchmen, there were Germans there were Russians
There were French, German, and Russian sailors.
There were jolly jacks came just across from from France
There were happy-go-lucky sailors who came from France.
And not one of them could speak a word of English
None of them could understand English.
But they'd answer to the name of Bill or Dan
But they replied to the names of Bill or Dan.
I woke up in the morning sick and sore
I woke up feeling ill and uncomfortable.
I wished I'd never sailed to sea once more
I regretted going out to sea again.
When a voice it came thundering through the floor
Suddenly, a loud voice came from below.
Get up and pay attention to your name
Get up and listen for your name to be called.
Well I wished that I was safely in the boozer
I wish I was back at the bar.
With Molly or with peggy on me knee
With Molly or Peggy sitting on my lap.
And I know exactly what I'd like to do now
And I know exactly what I want to do now.
And if you were here you'd do the same as me
And if you were here, you'd be doing the same thing as me.
Contributed by Leo K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.