The lyrics to “Raglan Road” were written by Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh as a poem titled “Dark Haired Girl” about his unrequited love for Hilda Moriarty, a medical student he met in Dublin in the 1940s. 

When Luke Kelly met Kavanagh in the 1960s, he asked Kavanagh if he could set the poem to music. Legend has it that Kavanagh insisted on being paid five pounds! With the business out of the way, Kelly began searching for a melody to complement the poignant words. He landed on a traditional Irish air "Fáinne…

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…

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…

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…

For the record, O'McPub Band was covering Dolly Parton before Beyonce! 

Jolene was released in 1973 as the title track of her album of the same name. The song tells the story of a person pleading with Jolene not to take their lover away, expressing insecurities and fears of losing them to Jolene's beauty and allure. 

Both Irish music and "Jolene" belong to musical traditions that prioritize storytelling with themes of love, hardship, jealousy and resilience. 

Maybe we'll have to update our version with the…

"Brown Eyed Girl" stands as one of Northern Irish singer Van Morrison's most iconic songs, capturing the essence of youthful nostalgia and romance. Released in 1967, it quickly became a timeless classic. The lyrics reminisce about fond memories shared with a brown-eyed girl, symbolizing innocence and carefree days of youth. Originally titled "Brown-Skinned Girl", Morrison changed it to "Brown Eyed Girl" when he recorded it. Morrison remarked on the title change: "That was just a mistake. After we'd recorded…

"Caledonia" is a modern Scottish folk ballad penned by Dougie MacLean in 1977. The song's chorus, "Caledonia, you're calling me, and now I'm going home," highlights the term "Caledonia," which is a Latin reference to Scotland. The composition was born out of MacLean's homesickness for Scotland while he was on a beach in Brittany, France. He wrote it in less than 10 minutes during his early twenties. The song reflects his longing for home after busking with Irish companions and is reminiscent of an earlier…