Finnegan's Wake
The Dubliners
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Ah Tim Finnegan lived in Walkin Street A gentleman Irish mighty odd Well, he had a tongue both rich and sweet An' to rise in the world he carried a hod Ah but Tim had a sort of a tipplin' way With the love of the liquor he was born An' to send him on his way each day He'd a drop of the craythur every morn Whack fol the dah will ya dance to yer partner Around the flure yer trotters shake Wasn't it the truth I told you? Lots of fun at Finnegan's Wake One morning Tim was rather full His head felt heavy which made him shake He fell off the ladder and he broke his skull And they carried him home his corpse to wake Well they rolled him up in a nice clean sheet And they laid him out upon the bed With a bottle of whiskey at his feet And a barrel of porter at his head Whack fol the dah will ya dance to yer partner Around the flure yer trotters shake Wasn't it the truth I told you? Lots of fun at Finnegan's Wake Well his friends assembled at the wake And Mrs Finnegan called for lunch Well first they brought in tay and cake Then pipes, tobacco and brandy punch Then the widow Malone began to cry "Such a lovely corpse, did you ever see, Arrah, Tim avourneen, why did you die?" "Will ye hould your gob?" said Molly McGee Whack fol the dah will ya dance to yer partner Around the flure yer trotters shake Wasn't it the truth I told you? Lots of fun at Finnegan's Wake Well Mary O'Connor took up the job "Biddy" says she "you're wrong, I'm sure" Well Biddy gave her a belt in the gob And left her sprawling on the floor Well civil war did then engage T'was woman to woman and man to man Shillelagh law was all the rage And a row and a ruction soon began Whack fol the dah will ya dance to yer partner Around the flure yer trotters shake Wasn't it the truth I told you? Lots of fun at Finnegan's Wake Well Tim Maloney raised his head When a bottle of whiskey flew at him He ducked, and landing on the bed The whiskey scattered over Tim Bedad he revives, see how he rises Tim Finnegan rising in the bed Saying "Whittle your whiskey around like blazes T'underin' Jaysus, do ye think I'm dead?" Whack fol the dah will ya dance to yer partner Around the flure yer trotters shake Wasn't it the truth I told you? Lots of fun at Finnegan's Wake
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: KEN CASEY, MATTHEW EDWARD KELLY, RICK BARTON
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
7 facts about this song
History and Origin of the Song- "Finnegan's Wake" is a traditional Irish ballad that has been passed down through generations. The song is derived from 19th century broadside ballad, 'The Wonderful Colossus'.
- The song is known by numerous titles, including "Tim Finnegan's Wake", and "Finnegan's Wake".
- The song was originally performed by Irish singers and musicians at traditional music gatherings, known as "sessions".
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Theme and Lyrics of the Song- The song narrates a comic story of Tim Finnegan, who allegedly loved the drink more than his work. Finnegan falls from a ladder and is assumed dead. However, he wakes up during his own wake after whisky is accidentally spilled on him.
- The name of the song, "Finnegan's Wake" is a pun that plays on the dual meaning of the word 'wake' - a watch or vigil held beside the body of someone who has died, and 'awakening from sleep’.
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Performance by The Clancy Brothers- The Clancy Brothers were the first to bring the song to mainstream popularity. They included the song on their album, "The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem", which was released in 1961.
- This version of the song became popular in both Ireland and America, helping to ignite a worldwide interest in traditional Irish music.
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Performance by The Dubliners- The Dubliners, a renowned Irish folk band, also performed "Finnegan's Wake". It was included in their album, "In Concert," released in 1965.
- Fans particularly appreciated the band’s lively and cheerful rendition of "Finnegan’s Wake."
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Performance by Dropkick Murphys- The American Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys performed a version of "Finnegan's Wake".
- The song has been featured in one of their albums, "Do or Die," released in 1998.
- Their version featured electric guitars and dynamic drum work, making it more of a punk rock anthem than a traditional Irish ballad.
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Influence on Literature- Perhaps the most well-known adaptation of "Finnegan's Wake" is James Joyce's novel of the same name. Joyce borrowed the song's themes and phonetic style for his complex portrayal of the nighttime thoughts of the character Leopold Bloom.
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Pop Culture References- The plot of the song has been adapted into various mediums, from film to literature. For instance, it is the basis for the plot of the 1933 Marx Brothers' film "Duck Soup".
- The song is also referenced in popular TV shows like "The West Wing" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine".
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