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The Dubliners
About Finnegan's Wake
"Finnegan's Wake" is an Irish-American comic ballad, first published in New York in 1864. The song was a staple of the Irish folk-music group the Dubliners, who played it on many occasions and included it on several albums, and is especially well known to fans of the Clancy Brothers, who have performed and recorded it with Tommy Makem. The song has more recently been recorded by Irish-American Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys. The song is also a staple in the repertoire of Irish folk band the High Kings, as well as Darby O'Gill, whose version incorporates and encourages audience participation. more »
- Year:
- 2008
- 2:29
- 314Views
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Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Ah Tim Finnegan lived in Walkin StreetA gentleman Irish mighty oddWell, he had a tongue both rich and sweetAn' to rise in the world he carried a hodAh but Tim had a sort of a tipplin' wayWith the love of the liquor he was bornAn' to send him on his way each dayHe'd a drop of the craythur every morn Whack fol the dah will ya dance to yer partnerAround the flure yer trotters shakeWasn't it the truth I told you?Lots of fun at Finnegan's Wake One morning Tim was rather fullHis head felt heavy which made him shakeHe fell off the ladder and he broke his skullAnd they carried him home his corpse to wakeWell they rolled him up in a nice clean sheetAnd they laid him out upon the bedWith a bottle of whiskey at his feetAnd a barrel of porter at his head Whack fol the dah will ya dance to yer partnerAround the flure yer trotters shakeWasn't it the truth I told you?Lots of fun at Finnegan's Wake Well his friends assembled at the wakeAnd Mrs Finnegan called for lunchWell first they brought in tay and cakeThen pipes, tobacco and brandy punchThen the widow Malone began to cry"Such a lovely corpse, did you ever see,Arrah, Tim avourneen, why did you die?""Will ye hould your gob?" said Molly McGee Whack fol the dah will ya dance to yer partnerAround the flure yer trotters shakeWasn't it the truth I told you?Lots of fun at Finnegan's Wake Well Mary O'Connor took up the job"Biddy" says she "you're wrong, I'm sure"Well Biddy gave her a belt in the gobAnd left her sprawling on the floorWell civil war did then engageT'was woman to woman and man to manShillelagh law was all the rageAnd a row and a ruction soon began Whack fol the dah will ya dance to yer partnerAround the flure yer trotters shakeWasn't it the truth I told you?Lots of fun at Finnegan's Wake Well Tim Maloney raised his headWhen a bottle of whiskey flew at himHe ducked, and landing on the bedThe whiskey scattered over TimBedad he revives, see how he risesTim Finnegan rising in the bedSaying "Whittle your whiskey around like blazesT'underin' Jaysus, do ye think I'm dead?" Whack fol the dah will ya dance to yer partnerAround the flure yer trotters shakeWasn't it the truth I told you?Lots of fun at Finnegan's Wake
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
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The Dubliners
The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in Dublin in 1962. The band started off as The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group, named in honour of its founding member, they subsequently renamed themselves as The Dubliners. The group line-up has seen many changes over their fifty year career. However, the group's success was centred around lead singers Luke Kelly and Ronnie Drew, both of whom are now deceased. The band garnered international success with their lively Irish folk songs, traditional street ballads and instrumentals. The band were regulars on the folk scenes in both Dublin and London in the early 1960s, until they were signed to the Minor Major label in 1965 after backing from Dominic Behan. They went on to receive extensive airplay on Radio Caroline, and e… more »
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Folk
Sheet Music PDF Playlist
Written by: KEN CASEY, MATTHEW EDWARD KELLY, RICK BARTON
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
7 facts about this song
History and Origin of the Song- "Finnegan's Wake" is a traditional Irish ballad that has been passed down through generations. The song is derived from 19th century broadside ballad, 'The Wonderful Colossus'.- The song is known by numerous titles, including "Tim Finnegan's Wake", and "Finnegan's Wake".- The song was originally performed by Irish singers and musicians at traditional music gatherings, known as "sessions". |
Theme and Lyrics of the Song- The song narrates a comic story of Tim Finnegan, who allegedly loved the drink more than his work. Finnegan falls from a ladder and is assumed dead. However, he wakes up during his own wake after whisky is accidentally spilled on him.- The name of the song, "Finnegan's Wake" is a pun that plays on the dual meaning of the word 'wake' - a watch or vigil held beside the body of someone who has died, and 'awakening from sleep’. |
Performance by The Clancy Brothers- The Clancy Brothers were the first to bring the song to mainstream popularity. They included the song on their album, "The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem", which was released in 1961.- This version of the song became popular in both Ireland and America, helping to ignite a worldwide interest in traditional Irish music. |
Performance by The Dubliners- The Dubliners, a renowned Irish folk band, also performed "Finnegan's Wake". It was included in their album, "In Concert," released in 1965.- Fans particularly appreciated the band’s lively and cheerful rendition of "Finnegan’s Wake." |
Performance by Dropkick Murphys- The American Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys performed a version of "Finnegan's Wake".- The song has been featured in one of their albums, "Do or Die," released in 1998.- Their version featured electric guitars and dynamic drum work, making it more of a punk rock anthem than a traditional Irish ballad. |
Influence on Literature- Perhaps the most well-known adaptation of "Finnegan's Wake" is James Joyce's novel of the same name. Joyce borrowed the song's themes and phonetic style for his complex portrayal of the nighttime thoughts of the character Leopold Bloom. |
Pop Culture References- The plot of the song has been adapted into various mediums, from film to literature. For instance, it is the basis for the plot of the 1933 Marx Brothers' film "Duck Soup".- The song is also referenced in popular TV shows like "The West Wing" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". |
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