O'McPub Band | Irish-American Duo

Ride On was written by the renowned Irish songwriter Jimmy MacCarthy. Born in 1953 in County Cork, MacCarthy is known for penning some of Ireland’s most beloved modern folk songs, including No Frontiers and Bright Blue Rose. 

MacCarthy originally wrote Ride On in the early 1980s, and it was first recorded by Mary Coughlan. However, it was Christy Moore’s 1984 rendition on his album of the same name that truly brought the song to widespread recognition. Moore’s stripped-down acoustic arrangement, coupled with…

"Jackie," the haunting opening track from Sinéad O’Connor’s 1987 debut album The Lion and the Cobra, is a chilling ballad that establishes the record's tone. This spectral lament narrates the tale of a person mourning their lost love, a sailor named Jackie, who vanished at sea. The lyrics depict their eternal search for Jackie amidst the crashing waves and cold night air. As the song unfolds, a supernatural twist emerges: the narrator is a ghost, destined to wander the shore, awaiting Jackie's return. 

This…

"Thousands Are Sailing," by The Pogues' Philip Chevron, is a moving tribute to Irish immigrants who left their homeland for a better life in America. Released in 1988, the song's title evokes the countless Irish people who emigrated to the U.S., driven by famine, economic hardship, and political unrest. These immigrants left behind everything they knew, seeking refuge and opportunity in the "land of opportunity." While the lyrics highlight the optimism of a fresh start, they also acknowledge the sorrow of…

Black Velvet Band is a song of love, betrayal, and exile that has been a favorite among pub-goers for generations. The song is part of a broader tradition of “transport ballads” - songs about criminals (often unfairly accused) being sentenced to transportation to Australia. The first found mention of The Girl in the Black Velvet Band, appeared in the 1840s with various versions found throughout England and Ireland. Despite different lyrics the story always centers on a young man deceived by a beautiful…

Haul Away Joe is classified as a “halyard shanty,” which refers to songs sailors used to sing while hauling on the ropes used to raise or lower the sails of a ship. These shanties were often sung in call-and-response style, with a lead singer calling out a line and the crew responding in unison. This helped set the rhythm for the laborious tasks involved in sailing, making it easier for sailors to work together and maintain a steady pace.

Sea shanties like Haul Away Joe often have fluid lyrics, with…

“And It Stoned Me” is the opening track of Van Morrison’s album Moondance, released in 1970. It was inspired by an event that occurred when he was 12 years old after a day of fishing with friends outside the village of Ballystockart, near Belfast in the North of Ireland. Morrison and his companions stopped at a village house where they encountered an old man, whom Morrison later described as “dark weather-beaten.”

The boys asked the man for water, and he gave them some he had drawn from a nearby stream. As…

Zombie by The Cranberries was released in 1994 and became one of the most powerful protest anthems of the decade, addressing the ongoing violence in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

The Troubles was a violent, decades-long conflict (late 1960s–1998) between unionists/loyalists (who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom) and nationalists/republicans (who sought reunification with the Republic of Ireland). The conflict involved paramilitary groups like the Irish Republican Army…

"Charlie on the MTA" was written by Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Hawes in 1949 as a campaign song for Walter A. O’Brien, a Progressive Party candidate for Boston mayor. O’Brien campaigned against a controversial "exit fare" policy imposed by the Boston Elevated Railway, which charged passengers an additional fee to disembark at certain stops. The song’s protagonist, Charlie, finds himself trapped on the subway because he cannot afford this exit fare, symbolizing the burdens of unfair taxation and…

The Orange and the Green, written by Anthony Murphy, uses humor and wit to mask a deeper commentary on the complexities of Irish identity, especially within families that straddled the historic divide between Catholicism and Protestantism. The song is sung by a man born to a Catholic mother and a Protestant father. He recounts the absurdity and challenges of growing up in a family where religious and cultural differences often led to amusing, if contentious, situations. 

While the lyrics are lighthearted,…

Grace was written by Frank and Seán O'Meara and tells the true Irish love story between Joseph Mary Plunkett and Grace Gifford. 

The Easter Rising, which began on April 24, 1916, was an armed insurrection against British rule, led by the Irish Republican Brotherhood and other nationalist groups. The uprising aimed to establish an independent Irish Republic while Britain was deeply engaged in World War I. After a week of intense fighting, the British forces crushed the rebellion, leading to the surrender of…

“Wild” Rover is often requested at O'McPub Band shows as "No, nay, never" or "that song where we clap". Out of all the songs we perform, “Wild Rover” is one most deeply associated with Irish pub culture and traditional music sessions. 

Dating back to the 17th century, with early versions appearing in broadside ballads, its lyrics convey themes of repentance, redemption, and the consequences of a life spent in excess. The song’s popularity grew through oral tradition and became an integral part of Irish folk…

“All For Me Grog” is a classic Irish drinking song that captures the humor, melancholy, and resilience often found in traditional Irish folk music. Believed to have originated in the 19th century, this raucous tune tells the tale of a man who squanders all his possessions—his boots, shirt, and even his wife—on drink (grog), tobacco, and the company of women. The song reflects the hard lives of sailors, workers, and others who used the pub as a refuge from the harsh realities of life.

While its lyrics seem…

“Auld Lang Syne” has its roots in Scotland, where it was first popularized by the 18th-century poet Robert Burns. Burns claimed to have transcribed the song in 1788 from an older Scottish folk tune, saying it was "an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript, until I took it down." Though Burns polished and adapted the lyrics, the sentiment and phrases in the song had long been part of oral tradition.

The title, “Auld Lang Syne,” translates loosely to "old long…

"Drinking in the Day" by The Tossers is a vivid narrative that explores themes of youthful rebellion and the consequences of chasing fleeting pleasures. Set against the backdrop of Dublin, the lyrics delve into a man's encounter with a young woman who represents both innocence and temptation.

As the song unfolds, the singer cautions against the moral lifestyle and planning for the long term, instead celebrating making choices which will provide joy and pleasure in the short-term.  

"Whiskey You're The Devil" reflects the historical nexus between war and whiskey and is deeply rooted in the cultural tapestry of the American frontier and Irish tradition. Originating from a broadside ballad titled John and Moll in Ireland around 1790, the song likely underwent lyrical evolution as it journeyed across the Atlantic to the Ohio River Valley until its modern popularity through The Clancy Brothers in the late 1950s. Critiques of alcohol's role in violence echo through the song's evolution,…

“Pass Me a Pint” by husband-and-wife duo Johnnyswim, is a lighthearted Christmas song that blends humor with holiday cheer. The singer is a grump not in the holiday mood but hoping a pint of beer and affection from his love might change his spirits. 

As O’McPub Band plays in a lot of places where pints are being passed around this has become a band and fan favorite around the holidays.

Fairytale of New York was written by Shane MacGowan and Jem Finer and originally released in 1987 by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl. 

Though this song doesn’t include the sugary sentimentality of many holiday tunes, it is a Christmas standard for many households, particularly of Irish heritage, highlighting the complex juxtaposition of festive cheer and sorrow many people feel during the holiday season. The song tells a compelling and bittersweet story of an Irish immigrant couple in New York sharing…

On June 18, 1875 a massive fire broke out at Malone’s Malt House in the Liberties district of Dublin, Ireland. The blaze spread quickly, and soon the large quantities of whiskey casks exploded, sending rivers of flaming liquor through the streets. This whiskey-fueled fire raged across the area, consuming houses, shops, and other buildings in its path. Firefighters struggled to control the flames, as water proved ineffective against the burning whiskey. In total, over 5 acres of the city were engulfed in…

"Going Out For One" by Gearoid McCarthy is a song deeply rooted in the everyday experiences of Irish social life, capturing the spontaneity and camaraderie of a night out. McCarthy, a rising star in the Irish folk scene, drew inspiration for the song from a personal experience when a friend invited him out for a drink one Friday evening. Although McCarthy couldn't join due to his gig commitments, he reflected on the idea that what starts as "just one pint" can often evolve into an unforgettable night, full…

"All of the Hard Day's Are Gone" is a song by Kevin McKrell from Upstate New York. He is best known as the founder of the Celtic folk band The McKrells, which became popular for their energetic performances and unique blend of traditional Irish music with contemporary folk elements. The McKrells have toured extensively, performing at major folk and Celtic festivals across the U.S. and abroad.

The song is a celebration of overcoming life's challenges and looking forward to better times. It carries a message…

"Body of an American" by The Pogues is a tune that blends traditional Irish folk music with punk rock elements. The song celebrates the life of a deceased Irish-American man, viewed through the eyes of one of his mourning relatives. 

It begins with a Cadillac, the symbol of American wealth, being driven down the streets of Ireland and coveted by local tinkers. It goes on to describe the funeral of Big Jim Dwyer, an old boxer whose coffin is brought back to the shores of his ancestors. The music starts soft…

"Rocky Road to Dublin" was written in the 19th century by poet D.K. Gavan about his personal experience traveling from his hometown of Tuam, County Galway to Liverpool, England by way of Dublin. His journey is marked by a series of misadventures, beginning with his optimistic departure and continuing through various challenges he faces in Dublin, including being robbed and taunted by the locals. Despite these setbacks, he reaches Liverpool, only to get into a fight upon arrival, showcasing his resilience…

"I'll Tell Me Ma," also known as "The Belle of Belfast City" or "The Wind," is a traditional children's song from Ireland. It is widely sung and has been popular for many generations. 

The origins of "I'll Tell Me Ma" dates back to at least the 19th century. The song has been passed down orally, which has led to the creation of many regional variations. The song is also a part of a children's game where children join hands and form a ring around, one player standing in the center. When asked, "Please tell me…

The Irish Pub Song is a celebration of pubs and being able to find one in practically every corner of the world. Though pubs come in all shapes and sizes, most have very similar features and you are bound to run into a few characters when you sit down for a pint. 

Pubs are often the heart of a community, serving not just as a place to drink and eat, but as a hub of social interaction, camaraderie, and cultural exchange. It isn’t just the Irish who feel at home in an Irish pub. Many people tell us after a set…