There are songs that make you want to head down to the pub, find a seat, order a drink, and stay awhile. This Pogues song is one of those songs for me. I’m not a drinking man, but when I hear this one, I suddenly feel like I should be raising a glass with everybody in the room. It’s got that wonderful atmosphere of an old neighborhood pub where everybody knows somebody, the stories get better as the night goes on, and nobody is particularly interested in going home.
It was written by Shane MacGowan; the song appeared on The Pogues’ 1985 album Rum Sodomy & the Lash, produced by Elvis Costello. It has everything I love about The Pogues: the accordion, banjo, tin whistle, pounding rhythm, and MacGowan’s unmistakable voice. There’s an infectious energy to it that makes you want to sing along (and drink!) even if you don’t know all the words. Interestingly, the song draws on the world of Irish pubs and drinking culture, including a bar owned by MacGowan’s uncle.
What I really love is the atmosphere. The song sounds like a celebration, but there’s also a little sadness underneath it as the years pass and people move on. That’s part of what makes it so good. The Pogues could make you laugh, raise your glass, and feel a little nostalgic all at the same time. So, even though I’m not much of a drinker, I’ll make an exception for this one. Somebody turn it up!
This song peaked at #51 in the UK in 1985.
Sally MacLennane
Well, Jimmy played harmonica in the pub where I was born
He played it from the night time to the peaceful early morn
He soothed the souls of psychos and the men who had the horn
And they all looked very happy in the morning
Now Jimmy didn’t like his place in this world of ours
Where the elephant man broke strong men’s necks
When he’d had too many Powers
So sad to see the grieving of the people that I’m leaving
And he took the road for God knows in the morning
We walked him to the station in the rain
We kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we’d be seeing him again
sad to say I must be on my way
So buy me beer and whiskey ’cause I’m going far away (far away)
I’d like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally MacLennane
The years passed by the times had changed I grew to be a man
I learned to love the virtues of sweet Sally MacLennane
I took the jeers and drank the beers and crawled back home at dawn
And ended up a barman in the morning
I played the pump and took the hump and watered whiskey down
I talked of whores and horses to the men who drank the brown
I heard them say that Jimmy’s making money far away
And some people left for heaven without warning
We walked him to the station in the rain
We kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we’d be seeing him again
sad to say I must be on my way
So buy me beer and whiskey ’cause I’m going far away (far away)
I’d like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally MacLennane
When Jimmy came back home, he was surprised that they were gone
He asked me all the details of the train that they went on
Some people they are scared to croak but Jimmy drank until he choked
And he took the road for heaven in the morning
We walked him to the station in the rain
And we kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we’d be seeing him again
sad to say I must be on my way
So buy me beer and whiskey ’cause I’m going far away (far away)
I’d like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally MacLennane
