Finnegan's Wake

Dropkick Murphys

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.  


Year:
1998
2:19
171 
#2

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Tim Finnegan lived in Wattling Street
A gentle Irishman mighty odd
He'd a beautiful brogue so rich and sweet
To rise in the world he carried a hod

See he'd sort of a tripling way
With love for a liquor poor Tim was born
To help him on with his work each day
He'd a drop of the Craythor every morn'

One morning Tim was rather full
His head felt heavy, which made him shake
Fell from the ladder and broke his skull
So they carried him home, his corpse to wake

Rolled him up in a nice clean sheet
And laided him upon the bed
A bottle of whiskey at his feet
And a gallon of porter at his head

And whack Fol-De-Dah now dance to your partner
Welt the floor, your trotters shake
Wasn't it the truth I told you
Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake

His friends assembled at his wake
And Missus Finnegan called for lunch
First they brought in tay and cake
Then pipes, tobacco and whiskey punch

Biddy O'Brien begged to cry
Such a nice clean corpse did you see
Aye, Tim me boy, oh why did you die?
Arrah shut your gob said Paddy MCGee

And whack Fol-De-Dah now dance to your partner
Welt the floor, your trotters shake
Wasn't it the truth I told you
Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake

Then Peggy O'Connor took up the job
Biddy says she you're wrong I'm sure
Biddy then gave her a belt on the gob
And left her sprawling on the floor

There the war did soon engage
Woman to woman and man to man
Shillelah-law was all the rage
An a row and a ruction soon began

Mickey Maloney raised his head
When a bottle Of whiskey flew at him
It missed him falling on the bed
The liquor scattered over Tim

Tim revives, see how he rises
Timothy rising from the bed
Whirl your whiskey around like blazes
Tonamondeal, do you think I'm dead

And whack Fol-De-Dah now dance to your partner
Welt the floor, your trotters shake
Wasn't it the truth I told you
Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake

And whack Fol-De-Dah now dance to your partner
Welt the floor, your trotters shake
Wasn't it the truth I told you
Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Dropkick Murphys

Dropkick Murphys are an American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant touring and yearly St. Patrick's Day week shows, held in and around Boston. The 2004 single "Tessie" became the band's first and one of their biggest charting singles to date. The band's final Hellcat release, 2005's The Warrior's Code, included "I'm Shipping Up to Boston", which was featured in the Academy Award-winning movie The Departed and went on to become one of the band's biggest singles, one of their best-known songs, and an anthem for Boston sports teams. more »

2 fans

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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