In March 2006, fifty years after the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem recorded their debut album, The Rising of the Moon in March 1956, the first full-length biography on the Clancy Brothers was written and published by Conor Murray. The book, titled The Clancy Brothers with Tommy Makem & Robbie O'Connell: The Men Behind the Sweaters chronicles the Clancy Brothers from the birth of Paddy Clancy in 1922 to early 2006. Simultaneously a two hour documentary on Liam Clancy was aired on Irish television, The Legend of Liam Clancy, as was a new TV concert special from Tommy Makem and his sons, the five-piece Irish folk song group The Makem & Spain Brothers.
Through 2005 to the present Liam has been joined once again by Kevin Evans of Evans and Doherty, both onstage and in the studio. Paul Grant and Kevin play nightly with Liam who continues to record, write and perform worldwide. His latest CD, "Yes, Those Were the Days," was a top selling record in late 2006. A full length feature film of his life is slated to begin filming this year culminating with a filmed concert in New York City. Liam will be appearing with Paul, Kevin, Danú and Karan Casey at the Tonder Festival in Denmark in August 2007.
In August 2007 Tommy Makem died after an extended fight with cancer, leaving Liam the only surviving member of the original group.
Liam Clancy died from pulmonary fibrosis on 4 December 2009, in Bon Secours Hospital in Cork, Ireland. Bobby Clancy died of the same disease seven years previously and is buried in the new cemetery in Ring, Co. Waterford, where he spent the last number of years of his life, owning a successful recording studio. Clancy was survived by his wife, Kim, and their four children, Eben, Siobhán, Fiona and Donal, as well three previous children Sean, Andrew and Anya. His son Eben was in the process of coming over from the United Kingdom and he had had a chat with his son Donal who was in the middle of a tour of California. The other three sat beside him as he died. Liam had intended to give another interview at the time but succumbed to the disease before this was possible.
The American city of Boston was said to be in shock at the news as his influence there is "inescapable". Radio disc jockeys in New York paid tribute to the man who, according to the New York Daily News, "played a major role in defining how Americans heard Irish popular music over the last half century", with one DJ saying The Clancy Brothers had "broke down a wall that was long overdue". Christy Moore, on a prescheduled appearance on The Late Late Show aired live on the night of Liam's death, said, "I would have been listening to Radio Luxembourg and rock 'n' roll as a young fellow and then I got to hear of the Clancy brothers, when I was 16 I came to Dublin to hear them in a concert. It was about 1962, I think it was the Olympia, it was the most exciting concert I had ever attended. It was Irish, it was rock 'n' roll, it was funky and it was even sexy".
Clancy's lunchtime funeral at St Mary's Church in Dungarvan on 7 December was attended by hundreds of mourners, including both the Aides de Camp of the Taoiseach and President of Ireland, Minister Cullen and various musicians and artists. He was later buried in Ring.
The Rocky Road To Dublin
Tommy Makem & Liam Clancy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Left the girls of Tuam so sad and broken hearted,
Saluted father dear, kissed me darling mother,
Drank a pint of beer, me grief and tears to smother,
Then off to reap the corn, leave where I was born,
Cut a stout black thorn to banish ghosts and goblins;
Bought a pair of brogues rattling o'er the bogs
And fright'ning all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin.
One, two, three four, five,
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
all the way to Dublin, Whack follol de rah !
In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary,
Started by daylight next morning blithe and early,
Took a drop of pure to keep me heartfrom sinking;
Thats a Paddy's cure whenever he's on drinking.
See the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me curious style, 'twould set your heart a bubblin'
Asked me was I hired, wages I required,
I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin.
One, two, three four, five,
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
all the way to Dublin, Whack follol de rah !
In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity
To be soon deprived a view of that fine city.
So then I took a stroll, all among the quality;
Me bundle it was stole, all in a neat locality.
Something crossed me mind, when I looked behind,
No bundle could I find upon me stick a wobblin'
Enquiring for the rogue, they said me Connaught brogue
Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin.
One, two, three four, five,
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
all the way to Dublin, Whack follol de rah !
From there I got away, me spirits never falling,
Landed on the quay, just as the ship was sailing.
The Captain at me roared, said that no room had he;
When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy.
Down among the pigs, played some hearty rigs,
Danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubbling;
When off Holyhead I wished meself was dead,
Or better for instead on the rocky road to Dublin.
One, two, three four, five,
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
all the way to Dublin, Whack follol de rah !
Well the boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed,
Called meself a fool, I could no longer stand it.
Blood began to boil, temper I was losing;
Poor old Erin's Isle they began abusing.
"Hurrah me soul" says I, me Shillelagh I let fly.
Some Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobble in,
With a load "hurray !" joined in the affray.
We quitely cleared the way for the rocky road to Dublin.
One, two, three four, five,
Hunt the Hare and turn her down
the rocky road and all the way to Dublin,
Whack follol de rah !
"The Rocky Road to Dublin" is a traditional Irish song that tells the story of a young man who leaves his hometown in Tuam to travel to Dublin. The song captures the adventurous and treacherous journey that the singer embarks on as he navigates obstacles and meets new people along the way.
The first stanza of the song is an emotive description of the singer's departure from his home as he bids farewell to his loved ones and begins his journey. The stanza also references the traditional Irish practice of using a blackthorn stick, which was believed to protect a traveler from ghosts and other malevolent spirits along the way. The second stanza describes the singer's stopover in Mullingar, where he encountered friendly locals, amusing situations, and was able to rest his weary limbs. The third and final stanza recounts the singer's arrival in Dublin, where he experiences a mishap that almost sees him lose all his belongings. He also encounters hostility from locals who insult and ridicule him but ultimately forges friendships with other Irishmen, leading to a triumphant conclusion to his journey.
Line by Line Meaning
While in the merry month of May from me home I started,
I began my journey from home in the cheerful month of May.
Left the girls of Tuam so sad and broken hearted,
Departed from the girls of Tuam who were heartbroken and sorrowful.
Saluted father dear, kissed me darling mother,
Bid farewell to my dear father and loving mother with salutation and affection.
Drank a pint of beer, me grief and tears to smother,
Consumed a pint of beer to suppress and alleviate my sadness and tears.
Then off to reap the corn, leave where I was born,
Left my birthplace to harvest the crops and begin a new journey.
Cut a stout black thorn to banish ghosts and goblins;
Carved a sturdy blackthorn stick for protection against evil spirits and creatures.
Bought a pair of brogues rattling o'er the bogs
Purchased some loud, clattering shoes to traverse the muddy bogs.
And fright'ning all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin.
Scaring all the dogs with the loud clatter and noise while traveling on the rocky road to Dublin.
One, two, three four, five,
Counting while proceeding on the journey.
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
Following the traditional Irish game of the Hare Hunt while traveling down the rocky road.
all the way to Dublin, Whack follol de rah !
Continuing with excitement on the journey to Dublin.
In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary,
Stopped and rested my tired legs in Mullingar during the night.
Started by daylight next morning blithe and early,
Began the journey again early the next morning with optimism.
Took a drop of pure to keep me heartfrom sinking;
Drank a drop of pure alcohol to keep my mood from deteriorating.
Thats a Paddy's cure whenever he's on drinking.
This is an Irish remedy for maintaining one's spirits while drinking.
See the lassies smile, laughing all the while
Observe the girls smiling and laughing during the journey.
At me curious style, 'twould set your heart a bubblin'
Notice the unique way in which I traveled, which would make your heart feel lively and joyful.
Asked me was I hired, wages I required,
Inquired if I was employed and needed wages.
I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin.
I was nearly exhausted from the challenges of traveling on the rocky road to Dublin.
In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity
Upon arriving in Dublin, I felt bad about the missed opportunity to appreciate the city.
To be soon deprived a view of that fine city.
To have the chance taken away to view the beauty of the city.
So then I took a stroll, all among the quality;
Took a walk among the nobility and elite.
Me bundle it was stole, all in a neat locality.
Had my belongings stolen in a tidy area.
Something crossed me mind, when I looked behind,
Had a thought when I looked back.
No bundle could I find upon me stick a wobblin'
Could not find my stolen bundle while walking with my wobbling stick.
Enquiring for the rogue, they said me Connaught brogue
Asking about the thief, they informed me that the accent was from Connaught.
Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin.
The accent was not popular on the rocky road to Dublin.
From there I got away, me spirits never falling,
Moved on from there without losing my spirits.
Landed on the quay, just as the ship was sailing.
Arrived at the pier as the ship was pulling away.
The Captain at me roared, said that no room had he;
The captain yelled at me, stating there was no available space.
When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy.
I jumped on board and found myself a cabin.
Down among the pigs, played some hearty rigs,
Danced among the pigs, playing some energetic games.
Danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubbling;
Danced energetically, causing the water to bubble around me.
When off Holyhead I wished meself was dead,
During the trip, I wished that I were dead off the coast of Holyhead.
Or better for instead on the rocky road to Dublin.
Or rather than wishing for death, I should have been on the rocky road to Dublin.
Well the boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed,
The boys of Liverpool greeted us upon safe arrival.
Called meself a fool, I could no longer stand it.
They taunted me, calling me a fool and causing me to lose my composure.
Blood began to boil, temper I was losing;
My blood began to boil, and I was losing my temper.
Poor old Erin's Isle they began abusing.
They began to disrespect and insult Ireland.
"Hurrah me soul" says I, me Shillelagh I let fly.
I exclaimed, "Hurray for my soul!" and brandished my Shillelagh stick.
Some Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobble in,
Some boys from Galway were nearby and saw that I was in trouble.
With a load "hurray !" joined in the affray.
The Galway boys shouted, "Hurray!" and joined in the fight with me.
We quitely cleared the way for the rocky road to Dublin.
We peacefully removed the obstruction and continued on the rocky road to Dublin.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Barney McKenna, Ciaran Padraig Maire Bourke, Luke Kelly, Ronald Joseph Drew
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind