Alright, let’s continue sharing some interesting musical finds. Many years ago, I realized unexpectedly that I really enjoy Irish and Scottish folk melodies. But even more, I love when modern bands creatively reimagine these melodies in their own style.
I first heard a song by The Dropkick Murphys in a movie, and I instantly became a fan (I plan to write about that song separately, but today is about a different one). I’ve been happily listening to their music for many years now—it’s perfect for long flights, by the way.
Today, I want to talk about the song The Lonesome Boatman, which was the opening track on their 2017 album 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory. It’s permanently earned a spot on my playlist of top songs, though it’s more of a melody than a song.
As with a previous song I shared, it turns out the band didn’t originally write this tune. It’s actually a cover and a tribute to a song created way back in 1969!
It was written and performed by two brothers, Finbar and Eddie Furey. Their group, The Furys, is a well-known Irish folk band, and The Lonesome Boatman is one of their most famous pieces, which they themselves re-recorded several times with updated arrangements. According to Wikipedia, fans of the Glasgow Celtic football club even sing it at matches.
The song is simple yet deeply moving. The original version is more lyrical, but I still prefer The Dropkick Murphys version—it’s more modern, vibrant, and dynamic, yet it preserves the original melody’s beauty.
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