The Pogues, Body of An American. One of my favs. I saw the Pogues the year this video was made, in London at the Hammy Palais and it's still the most fun I have ever had a concert. How the hell Shane McGowan is still alive is a bloody miracle.
I got to love this particular song as I just finished watching all five series of The Wire. This song is a recurring theme is this amazing TV series.
And the yanks they were within
And the tinker boys they hissed advice
'Hot-wire her with a pin'
We turned and shook as we had a look
In the room where the dead men lay
So big Jim Dwyer made his last trip
To the home where his father's laid
Fifteen minutes later
We had our first taste of whiskey
There was uncles giving lectures
On ancient Irish history
The men all started telling jokes
And the women they got frisky
At five o'clock in the evening
Every bastard there was piskey
Fare thee well going away
There's nothing left to say
Farewell to New York City boys
To Boston and PA
He took them out
With a well-aimed clout
He was often heard to say
I'm a free born man of the USA
He fought the champ in Pittsburgh
And he slashed him to the ground
He took on Tiny Tartanella
And it only went one round
He never had no time for reds
For drink or dice or whores
And he never threw a fight
Unless the fight was right
So they sent him to the war
Fare the well gone away
There's nothing left to say
With a slainte Joe and Erin go
My love's in Amerikay
The calling of the rosary
Spanish winde from far away
I'm a free born man of the USA
This morning on the harbour
When I said goodbye to you
I remember how I swore
That I'd come back to you one day
And as the sunset came to meet
The evening on the hill
I told you I'd always love
I always did and I always will
Fare thee well gone away
There's nothing left to say
'cept to say adieu
To your eyes as blue
As the water in the bay
And to big Jim Dwyer
The man of wire
Who was often heard to say
I'm a free born man of the USA
I just saw these guys last week at the 9:30 Club here in DC and let me tell you, they were awesome!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Posted by: Captain Peter Black | March 17, 2011 at 08:27 AM
Happy Naomh Pádraig's (St. Patrick's) Day!
Posted by: Joe Rouse | March 17, 2011 at 12:13 PM