Dirty Old Town
Luke Kelly & the Dubliners, The Dubliners, Luke Kelly
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I met my love by the gasworks wall Dreamed a dream by the old canal I kissed my girl by the factory wall Dirty old town Dirty old town Clouds are drifting across the moon Cats are prowling on their beat Spring's a girl from the streets at night Dirty old town Dirty old town I heard a siren from the docks Saw a train set the night on fire Smelled the spring on the smoky wind Dirty old town Dirty old town I'm going to make a good sharp axe Shining steel tempered in the fire I'll chop you down like an old dead tree, that's what they say Dirty old town Dirty old town I met my love by the gasworks wall Dreamed a dream by the old canal I kissed my girl by the factory wall Dirty old town Dirty old town Dirty old town Dirty old town
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Written by: Ewan MacColl
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Origin of the Song"Dirty Old Town" is a song written by British songwriter Ewan MacColl in 1949.
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InspirationThe song was inspired by Salford, Greater Manchester, England, where MacColl was born and raised.
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Subject Matter ClassificationIt is classified as a ‘folksong’ and presents the industrial landscape of the composer's hometown by romanticizing its urban, gritty environment.
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Popular CoverAlthough Ewan MacColl was the original creator of "Dirty Old Town," it gained global recognition and popularity when it was covered by the Irish band "The Dubliners."
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Not a Traditional Irish SongDespite popular belief, "Dirty Old Town" is not a traditional Irish song due to its British origin. Many people wrongly assume it's Irish because of The Dubliners’ version.
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Use in CultureThis song has been used in TV shows and movies, given its poignant commentary on industrial towns. It has been featured in British television drama "Cracker" and in the movie "Rush".
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Multi-lingual VersionsThe song has been translated and sung in many languages, including Welsh, Dutch and German, further highlighting its global appeal.
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Number of CoversThere have been more than 60 known cover versions of "Dirty Old Town" by various artists around the world.
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Pogues' VersionOne of the best-known versions of "Dirty Old Town" was performed by 'The Pogues', an Irish punk band, in the 1980s.
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Protest SongEwan MacColl was known for his political and protest songs, and while "Dirty Old Town" isn't exclusively political in language, it does present a subtle commentary on industrial pollution and the working-class life.
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Citation
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"Dirty Old Town Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/32177103/The+Dubliners/Dirty+Old+Town>.
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