Nancy Mulligan

Ed Sheeran

About Nancy Mulligan

"Nancy Mulligan" is a song by an English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was included on the deluxe edition of his third studio album ÷ (2017). After the album's release it charted at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. Sheeran recorded the song together with Beoga.


Year:
2017
2:59
2,263 
#30

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I was twenty-four years old
When I met the woman I would call my own
Twenty-two grand kids now growing old
In that house that your brother bought ya

On the summer day when I proposed
I made that wedding ring from dentist gold
And I asked her father, but her daddy said, "No
You can't marry my daughter"

She and I went on the run
Don't care about religion
I'm gonna marry the woman I love
Down by the Wexford border

She was Nancy Mulligan
And I was William Sheeran
She took my name and then we were one
Down by the Wexford border

Well, met her at Guy's in the second world war
And she was working on a soldier's ward
Never had I seen such beauty before
The moment that I saw her

Nancy was my yellow rose
And we got married wearing borrowed clothes
We got eight children now growing old
Five sons and three daughters

She and I went on the run
Don't care about religion
I'm gonna marry the woman I love
Down by the Wexford border

She was Nancy Mulligan
And I was William Sheeran
She took my name and then we were one
Down by the Wexford border

From her snow white streak in her jet black hair
Over sixty years I've been loving her
Now we're sat by the fire in our old armchairs
You know Nancy, I adore ya

From a farm boy born near Belfast town
I never worried about the king and crown
'Cause I found my heart upon the southern ground
There's no difference, I assure ya

She and I went on the run
Don't care about religion
I'm gonna marry the woman I love
Down by the Wexford border

She was Nancy Mulligan
And I was William Sheeran
She took my name and then we were one
Down by the Wexford border

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Ed Sheeran

Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter and producer. He was born in Halifax, before moving to Framlingham. He learned to play guitar and started writing songs at a young age. He began recording in 2005 and moved to London in 2008 to pursue a music career. In 2009, he played 312 gigs. In early 2011, Sheeran released an independent extended play, No. 5 Collaborations Project which led him to be signed to Asylum / Atlantic Records. Buoyed by the commercial breakthrough of the singles "The A Team" and "Lego House", his debut album + has been certified quintuple platinum in the United Kingdom. In 2012, he won two BRIT Awards for Best British Male Solo Artist, and British Breakthrough of… more »

172 fans

Written by: Amy Victoria Wadge, Benjamin Joseph Levin, Edward Christopher Sheeran, Foy Best Vance, John McDaid, Murray Cummings, FOY VANCE

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Spirit Music Group, BDI Music Limited, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Background Information
"Nancy Mulligan" is a track from the album "÷ (Divide)" by Ed Sheeran. He co-wrote the song with Benny Blanco and Foy Vance.
Song Inspiration
This song was inspired by Ed Sheeran's own grandparents, William and Nancy Sheeran.
Irish Influence
"Nancy Mulligan" has heavy Irish influences - notably with the use of traditional Irish musical instruments, and it tells the love story of Sheeran's Irish grandparents.
Grandparent's Love Story
The song tells the tale of how his grandparents met, fell in love, and eloped despite the religious differences that were rampant during the time in Ireland.
Personal Family Tie
The song's central characters, Nancy and William, are named after Ed Sheeran's real grandparents. His grandmother's maiden name was Nancy Mulligan.
Significant Song
The timing of Nancy and William meeting, during the second World War, holds special significance as it shows their love story began during a stressful period in history.
Co-writer Connection
Sheeran co-wrote "Nancy Mulligan" with musician Foy Vance, who hails from Northern Ireland, further emphasizing the Irish connection.
Performance
Ed Sheeran often integrates "Nancy Mulligan" within his live setlists, providing uplifting energy due to its upbeat folk music style.
Chart Performance
Despite never being released as a single, "Nancy Mulligan" still received a tremendous streaming response and even hit the charts in various countries, including UK and Australia.
Homage to Grandparents
The song serves as a tribute to his grandparents' relationship, underscoring the lasting love they shared throughout their life. It is incredibly personal for Ed Sheeran as he shares their story with his audience.
Album Position
"Nancy Mulligan" is the 15th and penultimate song on the Deluxe edition of the "÷ (Divide)" album.
Album Success
"÷ (Divide)" was an enormously successful album, reaching number one on charts worldwide and making "Nancy Mulligan" widely known despite not being an official single.
Recognition
Even though it was not released as a single, "Nancy Mulligan" has been recognized by critics and fans alike for its lyrical depth and traditional Irish influences.
Taste of Ireland
The song provides listeners with a taste of traditional Irish music, helping share Irish culture with a broader, global audience.

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