I'm Shipping Up to Boston

Dropkick Murphys

About I'm Shipping Up to Boston

"I'm Shipping Up to Boston" is a song with lyrics written by the folk singer Woody Guthrie, music written by A. Barr, K. Casey, M. Kelly, J. Lynch and M. Orrell and performed by the Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys. The original version of the song was released in 2004 on Give 'Em the Boot IV and would be re-recorded for their certified gold selling 2005 album, The Warrior's Code. The song gained world-wide attention along with boosting the band's popularity for its use in the 2006 Academy Award-winning Best Picture, The Departed and the soundtrack for the film. The lyrics from the song were taken from a fragment of paper that Ken Casey found whilst looking through Woody Guthrie's archives. The Dropkick Murphys put music to the lyrics as they also did with the song "Gonna Be A Blackout Tonight" from the 2003 album Blackout. The single is the band's most successful to date and was certified double platinum. It reached #1 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and sold over 1,044,000 digital copies without ever entering the Hot 100 chart. The video features the Dropkick Murphys performing the song on the waterfront in East Boston. The band is also seen "hanging out" with hooligans while being chased by Boston police officers. The song's simple lyrics describe a sailor who had lost a prosthetic leg climbing the topsail, and is shipping up to Boston to "find my wooden leg." 


Year:
2005
2:33
895 
#3

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I'm a sailor peg
And I've lost my leg
Climbing up the top sails
I've lost my leg!

I'm shipping up to Boston, whoa
I'm shipping up to Boston, whoa
I'm shipping up to Boston, whoa
I'm shipping off to find my wooden leg

I'm a sailor peg
And I've lost my leg
Climbing up the top sails
I've lost my leg!

I'm shipping up to Boston, whoa
I'm shipping up to Boston, whoa
I'm shipping up to Boston, whoa
I'm shipping off to find my wooden leg

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Dropkick Murphys

Dropkick Murphys are an American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant touring and yearly St. Patrick's Day week shows, held in and around Boston. The 2004 single "Tessie" became the band's first and one of their biggest charting singles to date. The band's final Hellcat release, 2005's The Warrior's Code, included "I'm Shipping Up to Boston", which was featured in the Academy Award-winning movie The Departed and went on to become one of the band's biggest singles, one of their best-known songs, and an anthem for Boston sports teams. more »

2 fans

Written by: Alexander Barr, James Lynch, Ken Casey, Marc Orrell, Matthew Kelly, Woody Guthrie

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Band's Origin
"I'm Shipping Up to Boston" is a single by the American Celtic punk band, Dropkick Murphys. The band was formed in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1996.
Song Popularity
The song is one of Dropkick Murphy's most popular tracks and has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, indicating it has sold over one million copies.
Movie Appearance
"I'm Shipping Up to Boston" gained significant popularity due to its inclusion in the Academy Award-winning film "The Departed," directed by Martin Scorsese.
Lyrics Origin
The lyrics to "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" comes from unpublished writings of Woody Guthrie, the legendary folk musician. Dropkick Murphys got permission from Guthrie's family to set music to his lyrics.
Traditional Instrument
The song intrigues music lovers with its use of traditional Irish instrument, the bagpipes, combined with the punk rock genre.
Sports Connection
The song has been embraced by Boston sports teams and is often played at home games of the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins.
Chart Success
"I'm Shipping Up to Boston" reached number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and has also hit charts in United Kingdom and Australia, showing its cross-continental appeal.
Music Video
The music video for the song was filmed at a variety of locations in the Boston area, including the Green Dragon Tavern, a popular historic pub.
Cultural Status
The song has been described as an unofficial anthem of Boston, reflecting the city's Irish-American heritage and hard-nosed attitude.
Live Performances
"I'm Shipping Up to Boston" is a staple of the band's live shows and typically results in rowdy singalongs from the crowds.

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