The Broad Majestic Shannon lyrics
Liam ClancyThe last time I saw you it was down at The Greek
There was whiskey on Sunday and tears on our cheeks
You sang me a song as pure as the breeze
On the road leading up Glenaveigh
I sat for a while at the cross at Finnoe
Where young lovers would meet when the flowers were in bloom
Heard the men coming home from the fair in Shinrone
Their hearts in Tipperary wherever they roam
Take my hand, and dry your tears babe
Take my hand, forget your fears babe
There's no pain, there's no more sorrow
They're all gone, gone in the years babe
I sat for a while by a gap in the wall
On a rusty tin can and an old hurling ball
Heard the cards being dealt, and the rosary called
And a fiddle playing Sean Dún na nGall
And the next time I see you we'll be down at the Greeks
There'll be whiskey on Sunday, tears on our cheeks
But its stupid to laugh and it's useless to bawl
About a rusty tin can and an old hurling ball
Take my hand, and dry your tears babe
Take my hand, forget your fears babe
There's no pain, there's no more sorrow
They're all gone, gone in the years babe
[Instrumental]
So I walked as day was dawning
Where small birds sang and the leaves were falling
Where we once watched the row boats landing
By the broad majestic Shannon
Where we once watched the row boats landing
By the broad majestic Shannon
Song Details
Music & Lyrics: Shane MacGowan - lead singer of The Pogues
Brief: The song is about the area Shane MacGowan grew up in during his early childhood.
Shane was born in Pembury, Kent, England to Irish parents and spent his early years in Glenaveigh - a townland in County Tipperary, Ireland before moving back to England when he was six and a half.
The choruses in the song seem to be that of Shane talking to his younger sister, perhaps consoling her during difficult times.
References:
The Greek - a pub in Glenaveigh
Tipperary - a town and a civil parish in South Tipperary, Ireland - situated between Limerick City and Waterford City.
Glenaveigh - a townland located in County Tipperary, within the Barony of Lower Ormond, Parish of Kilbarron, and Civil Parish of Cloghprior
Finnoe - a civil parish in the barony of Ormond Lower, County Tipperary, Ireland.
Sean Dún na nGall - an old Irish song which translates to My Old Donegal
Shinrone - a village in County Offaly, Ireland.
Shannon - River Shannon - the longest river in Ireland
Category: Folk Song.
Covers/Albums: The Pogues (If I Should Fall From Grace With God), T. Duggins (Undone), O'Malley's March (The Boys March At Dawn), The Whiskey Jacks (Rockin' Ballads, Trad & More), Uisce Beatha(Sociaaal!), Birmingham Six (The Kessel Run), Liam Clancy (The Wheels Of Life - pictured).
Please Note: In the choruses, Liam Clancy uses the word 'Shane' instead of 'babe'. There may have been a reason for that of which we can only speculate.
The relationship between Shane MacGowan and Liam Clancy was complex and multifaceted, characterized by both admiration and personal struggles.
Despite the challenges, their relationship was marked by a deep appreciation for each other's talent. MacGowan considered Clancy a mentor and role model, while Clancy saw the potential in MacGowan's unique voice and songwriting ability.
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