The Pogues — Lullaby Of London
Album: If I Should Fall From Grace With GodAvg rating:
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Length: 3:28
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As I walked down by the riverside
One evening in the spring
Heard a long-gone song from days gone by
Blowing in on the great north wind
Though there is no lonesome corncrake's cry
Of sorrow and delight
You can hear the cars and the shouts from bars
And the laughter and the fights
May the ghosts that howled 'round the house at night
Never keep you from your sleep
May they all sleep tight down in hell tonight
Or wherever they may be
As I walked on with a heavy heart
Then a stone danced on the tide
And the song went on though the lights were gone
And the north wind gently sighed
And an evening breeze coming from the east
That kissed the riverside
So I pray now, child, that you sleep tonight
When you hear this lullaby
May the wind that blows from haunted graves
Never bring you misery
May the angels bright watch you tonight
And keep you while you sleep
One evening in the spring
Heard a long-gone song from days gone by
Blowing in on the great north wind
Though there is no lonesome corncrake's cry
Of sorrow and delight
You can hear the cars and the shouts from bars
And the laughter and the fights
May the ghosts that howled 'round the house at night
Never keep you from your sleep
May they all sleep tight down in hell tonight
Or wherever they may be
As I walked on with a heavy heart
Then a stone danced on the tide
And the song went on though the lights were gone
And the north wind gently sighed
And an evening breeze coming from the east
That kissed the riverside
So I pray now, child, that you sleep tonight
When you hear this lullaby
May the wind that blows from haunted graves
Never bring you misery
May the angels bright watch you tonight
And keep you while you sleep
Comments (87)add comment
RIP Shane MacGowan. Pogue Mahone indeed!!
RIP, Shane
RIP Shane, you will never be forgotten. Thank you for all the music
Rest in peace Shane MacGowan. You'll be missed and you left us with a musical treasure.
RIP you rascal.
Rest in peace Shane.
I moved to London 2 decades ago from across the (larger) pond, and I will never forget discovering that the most popular Xmas song in this country is "Fairytale of New York". Arguably one of the most depressing lyrics ever written, albeit to a beautiful melody, but definitely not something that comes to mind for Christmas!
I think I fell in love with the dry wit and self-deprecation of the region quite shortly after that. Shame about 2016 though.
I moved to London 2 decades ago from across the (larger) pond, and I will never forget discovering that the most popular Xmas song in this country is "Fairytale of New York". Arguably one of the most depressing lyrics ever written, albeit to a beautiful melody, but definitely not something that comes to mind for Christmas!
I think I fell in love with the dry wit and self-deprecation of the region quite shortly after that. Shame about 2016 though.
Slan sa saol, Shane.
It was grand to listen to your songs, read your story and see you perform.
It was grand to listen to your songs, read your story and see you perform.
Rest in Peace Shane!
RIP Shane. What a legend.
RIP
THIS is how to write a song. Gorgeous.
I fell in love with this album in the early nineties. It's still going strong in my house and gets airtime a few times a year. God bless you Shane and co.
Nat wrote:
Wow.
I didn't know she had collaborated with The Pogues. Thanks!
c.
I saw the Pogues in Manchester back in December 2001..."The Pogues for One Week Only" they called it. I don't remember if they did this song, but I can tell you they were amazing. Shane remembered all the lyrics, the musicians were terrific, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house when they did Fairytale of New York and dedicated it to Kirsty.
I didn't know she had collaborated with The Pogues. Thanks!
c.
Now, as it did the first hundred times I heard it, I find that this song swiftly conveys to me all the unspeakable sorrows, crushed hopes, and dead-ended dreams of a lifetime, all rolled into one brilliantly moving piece of Immortal Poetry set to Artful Music. Since I treasure it as much as I do my own collection of heartbreaks and sufferings, it somehow brings me a temporary measure of Joy. Thanks sincerely, Shane, The Pogues, and Radio Paradise!
this album is so fantastic - my introduction to the Pogues and Shane MacGowan. i bought it for the title and the album cover and won
I went to school with Peter 'Spider' Stacy.
Just thought I'd mention that!
Just thought I'd mention that!
I saw the Pogues in Manchester back in December 2001..."The Pogues for One Week Only" they called it. I don't remember if they did this song, but I can tell you they were amazing. Shane remembered all the lyrics, the musicians were terrific, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house when they did Fairytale of New York and dedicated it to Kirsty.
Damn
Hearing this I wanna come back to Dublin again and stay there for the rest of my life.
Sweet in a not so sweet way.
stunix wrote:
No redeeming features? Judge not lest you be judged. Shane McGowan will find his redemption through the wonderful songwriting and poetry he has created and given to the world in my mind.
Years ago, I worked in an irish theme bar to fund my return to education, there was plenty of craic, live music, dancing girls and the black stuff. although this takes me back to a fantastic time, I really dont get the Shane thing. the music is phenominominal but why spoil it with someone who seems to have no redeming features. RIP Kirsty McCall.
No redeeming features? Judge not lest you be judged. Shane McGowan will find his redemption through the wonderful songwriting and poetry he has created and given to the world in my mind.
10
Bill, your killing it this last twenty songs..have been awesome!
Years ago, I worked in an irish theme bar to fund my return to education, there was plenty of craic, live music, dancing girls and the black stuff. although this takes me back to a fantastic time, I really dont get the Shane thing. the music is phenominominal but why spoil it with someone who seems to have no redeming features. RIP Kirsty McCall.
sirdroseph wrote:
Yea I know the guy is a trainwreck, but man when he could stand up, he seemed to harness all of the emotions of Ireland in his voice. Powerful stuff!
They come over here and they take all our land |
More Pogues, please!
Always love The Pogues. Seems I never hear them here enough.
tompoll wrote:
Not "were" and "was" — "are" and "is." I saw them a few months ago. Original lineup—all the guys pictured here. Great fun!
I saw them the year before last at the Nottingham Splendour festival, where they headline. Shane McGowan was absolutely wasted, staggering around the stage and barely able to croak. I don't know if he was pissed or just ill, but about halfway through he was led off the stage and a guy who could sing replaced him. The band were excellent and very professional. I just hope, for the sake of his liver and life expectancy, that yer man moderates his drinking. Early deaths from booze may be romantic and almost stereotypically Irish, but it's an awful, awful waste.
If you like the Pogues, it might be worth trying Flogging Molly, who are the Pogues on 'roids and get played on RP now and again. Worthy successors, IMO.
Not "were" and "was" — "are" and "is." I saw them a few months ago. Original lineup—all the guys pictured here. Great fun!
I saw them the year before last at the Nottingham Splendour festival, where they headline. Shane McGowan was absolutely wasted, staggering around the stage and barely able to croak. I don't know if he was pissed or just ill, but about halfway through he was led off the stage and a guy who could sing replaced him. The band were excellent and very professional. I just hope, for the sake of his liver and life expectancy, that yer man moderates his drinking. Early deaths from booze may be romantic and almost stereotypically Irish, but it's an awful, awful waste.
If you like the Pogues, it might be worth trying Flogging Molly, who are the Pogues on 'roids and get played on RP now and again. Worthy successors, IMO.
Yea I know the guy is a trainwreck, but man when he could stand up, he seemed to harness all of the emotions of Ireland in his voice. Powerful stuff!
Always more H2O Boys - goes without saying...
peacockangel wrote:
I know it's early ~ but hearing the Pogues always makes me wanna have a drink ~ love it
Rest assured, my friend: there's MUCH MORE to the Pogues than only this.
I know it's early ~ but hearing the Pogues always makes me wanna have a drink ~ love itRest assured, my friend: there's MUCH MORE to the Pogues than only this.
I know it's early ~ but hearing the Pogues always makes me wanna have a drink ~ love it heymarcel wrote:
Not "were" and "was" — "are" and "is." I saw them a few months ago. Original lineup—all the guys pictured here. Great fun!
I'm tired of hearing about liquor every time the Pogues come up. They were a big band, and Shane MacGowan was only one part of it. His personal issues are his alone, but their beautiful music is for us and the ages.
Not "were" and "was" — "are" and "is." I saw them a few months ago. Original lineup—all the guys pictured here. Great fun!
I'm tired of hearing about liquor every time the Pogues come up. They were a big band, and Shane MacGowan was only one part of it. His personal issues are his alone, but their beautiful music is for us and the ages.
So much talent and way too much booze.
Anything the (old) Pogues did is OK by me. Most of it was brilliant - sad, happy or whatever.
RadioDoc wrote:
Calling anything by the Pogues a drinking song is redundant.
True dat!
Calling anything by the Pogues a drinking song is redundant.
True dat!
frankp74 wrote:
Calling anything by the Pogues a drinking song is redundant.
Wow! Is this a drinking song? 'Cause he sounds pretty drunk.
Calling anything by the Pogues a drinking song is redundant.
Wow! Is this a drinking song? 'Cause he sounds pretty drunk.
EssexTex wrote:
Blimey....makes me yearn for the Emerald Isle, even though the songs about London.
A proper pint of the black stuff and a walk along the Cliffs of Moher..perfect
Same here. It's been a bedtime lullaby for my daughter since she was born 8 years ago.
Terrific songwriter. Amazing he's still alive.
Blimey....makes me yearn for the Emerald Isle, even though the songs about London.
A proper pint of the black stuff and a walk along the Cliffs of Moher..perfect
Same here. It's been a bedtime lullaby for my daughter since she was born 8 years ago.
Terrific songwriter. Amazing he's still alive.
garthwb wrote:
I am thinking. Hmmm... Hope Shane finds a healthier muse than a bottle of booze.
I once served Shane in an HMV in Dublin. It was before 10 am, he stank of booze (either suffering from a REALLY bad hangover, or working on the next!), was clutching a Red Bull as if his life depended on it, was wearing a FILTHY auld suit, and was fumbling around for loose change and crumpled notes in order to pay for... POGUES albums! He was playing some live dates that week, perhaps he'd forgotten the lyrics, ha ha ha! Perhaps the very epitome of the great Irish literary and musical traditions, and of its roguish charm! Pity he's so comprehensively wrecked himself, physically, though. Still, talent is talent... Just try to listen to "And the band played Waltzing Matilda" without getting at least a lump in your throat, his voice is SO bleakly sad. Still one of my heroes, he's thrown away more poetry over a bottle of whiskey than most people manage in a lifetime. LONG LIVE SHANE! An acquaintance once reported interviewing him in his kitchen, surrounded by mountains of crumpled sheets, some containing the most amazing lyrics and writing... Makes you think...
I am thinking. Hmmm... Hope Shane finds a healthier muse than a bottle of booze.
miahfost wrote:
Utter nonsense. Perhaps the greatest American poets, Wallace Stevens and TS Eliot were not fugly, nor did they drink particularly much. It is a great tragedy to romanticize Shane's drinking which is what caused that "mug" in the first place.
Absolutely - romanticising drinking is juvenile behavior
Utter nonsense. Perhaps the greatest American poets, Wallace Stevens and TS Eliot were not fugly, nor did they drink particularly much. It is a great tragedy to romanticize Shane's drinking which is what caused that "mug" in the first place.
Absolutely - romanticising drinking is juvenile behavior
sans wrote:
I like my artists ugly. Dylan, McGowan, Waits, Bukowski, Henry Miller. Unforgiving creativity comes from years behind a not so pretty mug.
Utter nonsense. Perhaps the greatest American poets, Wallace Stevens and TS Eliot were not fugly, nor did they drink particularly much. It is a great tragedy to romanticize Shane's drinking which is what caused that "mug" in the first place.
mgkiwi wrote:
Shane would look good on the front cover of Mad magazine - the new Alfred E. 
The smiley in your post has more teeth than poor Shane has nowadays.
Just busy-ness.
Shane would look good on the front cover of Mad magazine - the new Alfred E.
I once served Shane in an HMV in Dublin. It was before 10 am, he stank of booze (either suffering from a REALLY bad hangover, or working on the next!), was clutching a Red Bull as if his life depended on it, was wearing a FILTHY auld suit, and was fumbling around for loose change and crumpled notes in order to pay for... POGUES albums! He was playing some live dates that week, perhaps he'd forgotten the lyrics, ha ha ha! Perhaps the very epitome of the great Irish literary and musical traditions, and of its roguish charm! Pity he's so comprehensively wrecked himself, physically, though. Still, talent is talent... Just try to listen to "And the band played Waltzing Matilda" without getting at least a lump in your throat, his voice is SO bleakly sad. Still one of my heroes, he's thrown away more poetry over a bottle of whiskey than most people manage in a lifetime. LONG LIVE SHANE! An acquaintance once reported interviewing him in his kitchen, surrounded by mountains of crumpled sheets, some containing the most amazing lyrics and writing... Makes you think...
Shane McGowan's fingers are one of the most disgusting things I've ever seen, wash your hands man!
is it me or is RP skipping every now and again
I hate the Irish sound, for no good reason.
Love the Pogues. That photo of Shane? Not so much.
EssexTex wrote:
Blimey....makes me yearn for the Emerald Isle, even though the songs about London.
A proper pint of the black stuff and a walk along the Cliffs of Moher..perfect
I had my first proper pint in a basement pub in a working-class district of Belfast. This is the part of the city where my mother and grandmother were born. A first proper pint of Guinness is something akin to eating an apple right from the tree. There's nothing else like it. There's nothing so like Ireland, the Pogues, and of course, Radio Paradise. ^-^~
Blimey....makes me yearn for the Emerald Isle, even though the songs about London.
A proper pint of the black stuff and a walk along the Cliffs of Moher..perfect
I love The Pogues, I love Shane McGowan and I love the old picture of him I saw recently of him flat on his back with a caption stating the obvious fact that Shane was often seen in that position. Pity the poet is tainted so badly by the drink, but I suppose it wouldn't be the same if they were apart.
Good on ya Bill, this is a fine selection!
This is one of the most charismatic bands I loved in my young years...
And they still play the nice stuff from wonderful Eire!
Straw poll: Which image is more disturbing--the below-posted image of Shane McGowan or the cover art for the Porcupine Tree album _In Absentia_?
Yeah, I'm shamelessly killing time on a Fri PM...
Arch_Stanton wrote:
I can't believe this is being compared to riverdance.
yea, riverdance really shouldn't be insulted like that
I can't believe this is being compared to riverdance.
forge wrote:
Essbee wrote:
Perhaps his music is similar to Irish band Flogging Molly.
I once saw them in Utrecht with a few Irish friends, who demonstrated the trademark "crap Irish dancing" (their words). Sure enough, the band did exactly the same thing on stage later.
That was a GOOD night.
My personal theory is that you don't want to move your hands too much in order not to spill your pint.
And as for Riverdance, that's an honest mistake that could happen to anybody, I suppose. The Irish thing has grown tiring for me. Probably ever since I saw Riverdance. Now all I think about is, "just move your ARMS, dammit! You can DO it!"
Oh you totally need to find "HiTM How Are You Today?" by Ashley MacIsaac. My friends and I call it "Celtic Thrash;" it's fiddle, guitar and skin drum played at about 1000 miles per hour. There's a track called "Devil in the Kitchen" that's particularly caffeinated, and everytime I hear it I think "Hey Michael Flatley, Riverdance to THIS, ya schmuck!!"
sans wrote:
I like my artists ugly. Dylan, McGowan, Waits, Bukowski, Henry Miller. Unforgiving creativity comes from years behind a not so pretty mug.
Like Serge Gainsbourg?
The Pogues RULE! Shane McGowan for president!
Essbee wrote:
The Irish thing has grown tiring for me. Probably ever since I saw Riverdance. Now all I think about is, "just move your ARMS, dammit! You can DO it!"
Oh you totally need to find "HiTM How Are You Today?" by Ashley MacIsaac. My friends and I call it "Celtic Thrash;" it's fiddle, guitar and skin drum played at about 1000 miles per hour. There's a track called "Devil in the Kitchen" that's particularly caffeinated, and everytime I hear it I think "Hey Michael Flatley, Riverdance to THIS, ya schmuck!!"
eman wrote:
We've all (most of us) been there...
Right, but not non-stop for 23 years.
sans wrote:
I like my artists ugly. Dylan, McGowan, Waits, Bukowski, Henry Miller. Unforgiving creativity comes from years behind a not so pretty mug.
I tend to agree. The prettier they are, the more they um, s*ck like a great big s*cking thing.
Possible exceptions: Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris.
coding_to_music wrote: 
Here he is, Shane McGowan
Let that be a lesson to all the young folk
We've all (most of us) been there...so, put a cork in it and enjoy the music...
Cheers...!!!
Here he is, Shane McGowan
thank you, thank you, bill
ahhhh.......brilliant. f'ing brilliant
I'm going, I'm going...where streams of whisky are flowing!!!!!....yeeeeeeehhhrrrr!!..hips
Opa iii!!!
Just some thing about the Pogues that I like alot. I know what it is! I like pubs and whiskey!
God, I love this song! Thanks for playing it today.
"Unforgiving creativity comes from years behind a not so pretty mug."
I agree.. there are so many amazing ugly artists out there that I have to concede the pretty people aren't so pretty, after all.
Saw Shane and the Pogues in Boston this past week. Sadly, the man is a wreck these days. However, give him his due, he wrote some brilliant poetry and performed it with soul. May we all make such a contribution to the world.
coding_to_music wrote:
Here he is, Shane McGowan
Let that be a lesson to all the young folk
I like my artists ugly. Dylan, McGowan, Waits, Bukowski, Henry Miller. Unforgiving creativity comes from years behind a not so pretty mug.
Here he is, Shane McGowan
The Irish thing has grown tiring for me. Probably ever since I saw Riverdance. Now all I think about is, "just move your ARMS, dammit! You can DO it!"
Don't ask me why, but this is one of those songs that has a sort of sentimental value for me. Love the Pogues! 
Pogues! We do need more Pogues here on RP! Maybe "Turkish song of the Damned" or "Sickbed of Cuchulainn"?!
Blechh! 
Terrible shame to see Shane's talent being drowned in whisky.
Guy can write a great song. Could write a great song.
drover wrote:
Man. What a nasty human being. It's hard to believe this brain-dead creature can still create such incredibly vivid imagery with words.
He wasn't this f*&ked up when he was writing songs like Lullaby Of London. Certainly an alcoholic wildman, but his brilliance still shone through the drunken haze. This album was basically his swan song. His solo stuff still shows flashes of the talent he used to be, but it's not nearly on the same level.
coding_to_music wrote:
Here he is, Shane McGowan
Let that be a lesson to all the young folk
Man. What a nasty human being. It's hard to believe this brain-dead creature can still create such incredibly vivid imagery with words.
Here he is, Shane McGowan
mojoman wrote:
(Close enough.)
So where's my Guiness Stout?
(Close enough.)
Ah yes, The Pogues. Poster children for the Dentist's union. :)
Just kiddin'. I always liked them.
Here he is, Shane McGowan
JohnErle wrote:
Yay! One of my rare uploads that made the cut. This has always been one my favorite tracks by the Pogues. Shane McGowan was an awesome talent before the booze robbed him of most of his gifts.
The booze more than likely provided the inspiration for those great songs so don't shit on booze.
So where's my Guiness Stout?
Yay! One of my rare uploads that made the cut. This has always been one my favorite tracks by the Pogues. Shane McGowan was an awesome talent before the booze robbed him of most of his gifts.