Dirty Old Town - Luke Kelly & The Dubliners

Travastia Club (Finland) - 1976
Although this song was made famous by The Dubliners, it is not a song about Dublin as many people think. It was written by Ewan MacColl about Salford in England.

[@DeLunny]

John Sheahan: "He took risks in singing and in the manner he phrased songs. He would hold on for that millisecond longer than anyone else would dare to, then catch up on the melody and create a certain tension with the listener. It's like a high jumper going those extra few millimetres and beating the height. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. When it works, it's wonderful. When it fails, you're grateful they took the chance." Talent

[@johnblunn5613]

and?

[@powergod897]

ty for commenting this

[@dylanmcgowan3737]

👏🏽

[@dannymcneill5560]

As 5yr6

[@seanod7157]

That's well said.

[@JockLambert1972]

Luke Kelly in full flow is absolutely unparalleled, there (aren’t 😁)enough superlatives in the English language to describe this genius.

[@BlueVsYou2]

There "aren't" enough superlatives* 😅 jk

[@NickThorbjørnsen2207]

Good way to put it.

[@incitingariot9925]

Luke is a legend. Erin go bragh

[@Highland_lad]

👍👍

[@robbiekennedy1029]

Great words mate 👍

[@ruffrider5100]

It’s not just his voice, which is powerful yet melodic, it’s his perfect diction. What a song and what a rendition! 😊

[@kennysherlock6534]

I agree , his Ora was electric

[@marinabrennecke5495]

Many years ago they play in our city. Luke Kelly was the best, unforgettable. He dyed too early.

[@garyheaton4073]

What do we reckon folks? 2022 and still sounding superb through my speakers!

[@jackiecairney3287]

Yes

[@vallancesmillie5734]

Always great singer

[@partickdurrant6803]

@@ClanBez it is 👍👍🌷🌷🌷

[@partickdurrant6803]

@Tony Bryan TB-Drones the tops 👍👍

[@MichaelAndersen_DK]

Yup!

[@colmbrady8754]

That's banjo is something else.. Barney take a bow son

[@oldschoolgaming.]

Ireland's greatest ever performer , it's not even close . Rest easy Luke

[@seanoconnell8337]

My former uncle. What a talent. Died too young

[@woody816]

They've got a lot tbh, Rory Gallagher is my go to but I absolutely love Luke Kelly

[@elstonngunn4193]

@@woody816Kelly, Gallagher and Lynott the holy trinity of Irish performers

[@PatrickFitzgerald88]

@@elstonngunn4193 Lynott wasn't Irish.

[@cooganalaska3249]

Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy are right up there with Luke.

[@oz2189]

Luke Kelly has one of the most powerful yet melodious voices ever. Period.

[@williamjones940]

Just learned the rhythm on banjo and I’ll tell for a guy from Middletown Ohio I’m doing pretty good with it!!! RIP LUKE

[@Abraxas0365]

I live in miamisburg broooo sláinte

[@shane_m9129]

Pure Irish music lads

[@jeffreysturgill7668]

I'm from Hamilton, I didn't realize there were that many of us dibliner fans in this area

[@Dougie.Douglas.]

Will, what tuning did you play in

[@johnforkan1492]

There's a Middleton on the outskirts of Manchester

[@jaidencracknell2326]

Fucking hell that little higher note at 1:16 is amazing, my favourite rendition of this song now, Luke Kelly is truly a legend

[@coldunquietgrave]

I get goosebumps whenever I hear that note 🎵

[@Dreadnought16]

My god….that absolute pipes on that guy!! What a unit!!

[@rk3106]

Ich liebe dieses Lied. Es erinnert mich an meinen Vater und sein Banjo.

[@marcusn6088]

Ich habe die Dubliners das erste Mal 1979 im Circus Krone in München gesehen. Da war ich zwölf Jahre alt. Ich habe das nie vergessen.

[@waynebrady4296]

Barney my boy that’s the best banjo I’ve ever herd played rip mate

[@heardashot]

Isn't it just magical!! You can tell Barney is enjoying himself! Beautiful accompaniment.

[@jamesoconnor3017]

My dad passed away last weekend, he went to school with Ronnie Drew. I’m not sure how well he knew Luke Kelly but he loved him! I know that much , I’m sure they’re all back together now enjoying a few Jars! ❤️☘️🙏☘️❤️

[@Sabouma28]

I'm sorry for your loss

[@fulsomekitten2585]

My condolences. Hope music helps you heal as best as possible!

[@Deathlobster137]

Wish I could have been alive to see these boys play

[@ronniepye]

My gosh what a performance. Absolute talent at its finest. " I chop you down, like an old dead tree" What a delivery, you can't teach this. WOW 🙏❤

[@georgel74]

What a voice.. Rip Luke...

[@MrConan89]

My mother used to drag me around Salford market when I was a nipper. Luke has possibly the finest folk singing voice of all time. I cover this song from time to time.

[@josephineapicella4595]

Always loved the Dubliners, to think they most of them are no longer with us. Absolutely great performers. No one can sing a like!!

[@bnowb]

RIP SHANE... Your songs will live forever!

[@finnmcginn9931]

The song was written by Ewan MacColl before Shane was born. Ewan's daughter Kiirsty sang on Fairytale of New York.

[@bnowb]

@@finnmcginn9931 yes but his songs will live forever

[@spideypig6649]

Manchester lad and love the Dubliners and irish music

[@capjoartist1200]

Luke Kelly , very very great man , his voice , his talent , his memory, his hair , his expressive face , I love him

[@Porketz]

A voice that would fit in blues, rock, almost anything that requires passion. Saw the dublin legends last week, amazing, but as always in my mind, what a great thing would be the possibility to listen to Luke now, in a gig . You will be always missed

[@simondee3886]

Seen him, the Dubliners in Bangor Co. Down in the early 70s, went backstage after gig for a few drinks, happy days.

[@kevinfenton97]

I live in Salford. Born and bred. It certainly rings home true

[@rosspurchase9022]

I'm from Wembley, lived in Salford for 4 years. Loved it, best place ever.

[@royferguson3909]

@@rosspurchase9022 I from Kenton Librar, nest to Wealdstone. No issue, I just proud to have hailed from there. 25vyears on , I bet its something different. Chopper bikes , and cow horn handle bars . Shewpss factory ...the old railway and collecting slow, worms ...happy days

[@vaux_wolf4281]

Salford born a bred

[@laraghcon]

I can nothing about Like Kelly that thousands before me haven't already said. One word, legend.

[@MadamSarasin]

I'm all choked up when I see (or hear) this version of Dirty Old Town. I just love Luke Kelly's fabulous voice and his performances. Warm greetings from Norway!

[@harrylonsdale3142]

im a lancs man in me sixties lived in london thir4ty years ,hearing this song,telling me to go home,im weeping

[@amandamurray6238]

🍀''they broke the mould''' unique.... the fact MILLIONS come home to these tunes 'a' testimony

[@ercoconnor6806]

Ahh what can I say but memories of a great life growing up with great music, unfortunately nowadays when listen to it people wanna talk over it, this music isn’t background music it’s meant for people to shut up and listen!

[@georgeduncan2928]

Luke was the most amazing singer ever this one of my favourite songs from The Dubliners

[@GalacticGengar337]

What a unique and powerful voice.

[@damienflynn5837]

I named my first son after Luke. What a hero and sadly missed..

[@kevinmc3252]

Best version of this song by luke this video, please never delete.

[@davidconradlinus3374]

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

[@mrpopo8298]

I think it's "gasworks clock"

[@PD_54]

Original lyrics were “Gas works croft” and “Smell the spring on the Salford wind”, the latter supposedly changed by MacColl at the request of Salford council, the former presumably as “croft” was too local a word

[@stephenburns7061]

@@PD_54 your comments regarding the words of the song your spot on,I was born in Salford in the 50s,one school I attended later on in met a history teacher who was in to the flok scene in Manchester and he knew ewan macoll etc and that tune left my thoughts,and like I said spot on with its original words,

[@Cottontowngal]

@@stephenburns7061 there were a lot of crofts in Salford after war weren’t there. There was definitely A gasworks wall. And gasworks until the last couple of years. More heritage gone.

[@PD_54]

Aye, i was born in Hope, Jan 1954

[@brianfreeman8705]

His voice is like butter!!! It has a certain smoothness to it, and his timing is a gift.

[@helensmith7821]

Brilliant, brings back memories of my mam and dad RIP always had the Dubliners records on when we were kids. Both me mother and father from county Galway and county Clare

[@martinclarkson2512]

Fantastic song from a Wigan lad great the Dubliners

[@martincowley6500]

Now !? Isn't that pure music ,genuine ,irish dublin ,talent, great lyrics ,luke the genius ,only carries this song , many have tried ,respectfully, But ,unfortunately, Luke is the best ! I'm humbled by his talent. God bless you ,LUKE. Miss you. ...what a Voice !

[@neilbobbett]

Such passion in his singing

[@silenceofthelambs5178]

Barney's solid banjo compliments Lukies granite voice perfectly...there were not many trad groups that gelled in the way the Dubs did.

[@williamdewarrenne5848]

Lord watch over this blessed man's soul.

[@risteardwest3384]

What a sound you could listen to him day and night just love that music brings back a lot of old memories ancestors living in Ireland 🍀🥃🍻👍

[@jjcale27]

Raw passion….beautifully sung!

[@jasoncurran670]

listening to luke and the dubliners brings back great memories of me and my dad and the family growing up singing together love ya dad and family 💚

[@daisypeters3216]

Listening to Luke Kelly 's voice is always a great pleasure. An unpararalleled voice and talent. Luke sang the people's life, social and political issues like no one else has ever sung. He had and still has his own way of singinng.❤🇮🇪👍☘👏👏👏

[@jacktar9567]

Bless our old Luke Kelly...xxx

[@wissenschaftenundpraxishan1952]

Luke Kelly, R.I.P! Great music! The Dubliners were quite unique.

[@dariogreen]

This voice... so perfect for this song.

[@captainaj101]

Fabulous and joyously melodious. LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SING

[@ilovemydog6847]

It;s people like the Dubliners that make Irish people glad that they are Irish and the rest of the world who are not wish that they were.💚💚🤍🤍🧡🧡

[@thetrickster1365]

By singing an English song, in the English language.

[@vernonjones2115]

Really

[@jillybe1873]

I'm not even Irish but they make me glad to be irish

[@davidpryle3935]

No bother to the Dubliners to sing an English song. Luke Kelly knocked about the English folk scene, before joining the Dubliners. There are some great English folk songs. Another great English folk song that is associated with the Dubliners is The Wild Rover.

[@youarewrong5523]

@@thetrickster1365might shock you to hear but England are Ireland are neighbors

[@raymondschafer5065]

I like the way he gets the audience involved !!! He just belts out with so much heart !!! I wish I had the honor to hear him in person!!! Such electricity!!+

[@kingoftheswing.2078]

WHAT A TUNE.....

[@ottconsulting4499]

Luke’s voice went right to my soul

[@MrMaverick48]

Love this version sang this song to my late wife 60 years ago [ happy memorys ]

[@roybuckleytv]

A classic song from the great folk writer Ewan MacColl

[@martinrea8548]

Was he Kirsty's dad?

[@roybuckleytv]

@@martinrea8548 he sure was

[@ryantron9]

So gentle..."We've heard you shouting enough, now let's hear you sing. You'll do that fellows? I know you will". Makes me feel like a lad again, like when me Pop used to play with me gently, and make me laugh and smile and grin like I never did at school, or at home by meself, or with me friends.

[@pegasus483]

Salford is a beautiful place! Besides the kids playing with a flat ball on grass no been cut in 6 years 😅 GGMU🤪❤❤🏆⚽️

[@trulyblessed29]

Incredible.

[@patrickburke2958]

Extraordinary Song sung by an extraordinary singer, the late Luke Kelly

[@adamperry835]

Luke Kelly was by far and away the most talented musician in Ireland when he was alive, maybe even the most talented in all the Celtic Isles

[@samjo27]

I'd highly recommend looking up George Murphy... currently performing and the only person I've found who can truly pull off Luke Kelly's songs...

[@HenryRobinsonCumbria]

Saying "Celtic Isles" is absurd

[@vinnymitchell2550]

Just shared this with my WhatsApp group Its the finest version I've ever heard Luke was a complete one off !

[@MarieDevaney-id6bm]

Only Luke, RIP.

[@TheDublinersOfficial]

Yes, the one and only.

[@fitzjon4628]

Absolutely Brilliant VOICE

[@martinwilliams2556]

Wonderful music. I grew up, like many others, listening to The Dubliners. Utterly superb.

[@richardshort311]

Absolute masterpiece.

[@peterdevries8589]

I love the Irish!

[@richardwhitfield2400]

Remember listening to this with my dad who passed away recently.. so many fond memories x

[@richardshort311]

REST IN BEAUTIFUL PEACE, LUKE KELLY.

[@eltorroyirlande]

Thank you all Man Utd fans today...football for the masses...its our game..Cantona smiles today

[@motivationneeded4862]

UNITED!!!!

[@SANTIAGO636]

I bet Luke was A red...sure he has to be..with that hair.. God bless Luke and UTD

[@shane_m9129]

God bless Luke and United

[@jonfitz2278]

Beautiful mate absolutely brilliant

[@hacktheplanet.]

have to say between the pogues and this it's a tough choice. both are brilliant, I do love the Irish accent though.

[@junesmith852]

One of my favs 💪🇮🇪❤️

[@MrMaverick48]

Fab. love the Banjo.

[@peterbatakliev3654]

Legend sadly he left us so early but his legacy will remain for aye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@randycushman1669]

This is one of my top 10 songs of all time. Just perfect.

[@aliceg.7282]

Einfach wunderbar. Vielen Dank 💐

[@clairesmith3757]

The soundtrack to my youth fab

[@dnmurphy48]

One of Ewan McColl's great songs

[@jasonsanderson2580]

This song as got me over the line a few times lately, Luke Kelly’s vocal is so raw and full of emotion

[@paulrowe9486]

When I hear this great song I think of my hometown Grimsby !!!!

[@milliethedog9221]

i used to love this and still do

[@paramounttechnicalconsulti5219]

LOVE IT! Love this song

[@cherrypie6287]

Sparks my genetic memory takes me back to my homeland ❤

[@theresadrennan3925]

What part of Manchester was your family from?

[@margaretforde3068]

Ages Since I heard this!! Love it ❤

[@amiriskandarani3608]

Surprisingly this live version is better than the official recording alot more epicness!

[@petermaier9520]

A musical hymn ... the mother of all songs.😎👍❤

[@BestUserNameUK]

I'm from Ordsall (Salford)... now live in rural Longford😀

[@darrenkelly8538]

Buried me nan to this beautiful tune,swore we co hear her knocking the box

[@eugenecuddy8935]

What a voice

[@cv_mmo510]

2:23 good GOD that fella could sing

[@gconthemic2502]

I'm tellin ya he had a rare pair of lungs

[@rocker6883]

I knew I couldn’t be the only one blown away by the way he sang that there

[@simmo303]

@@gconthemic2502 "Vocal Chords".

[@barryhardiman1135]

One of the strongest vocalists ever

[@rayankrystar3742]

I love this song!

[@jackhartford521]

How am I 50 and never knew the Pogues were covering this song in their own beautiful way?

[@peterjost1819]

Let me say youngster, Im 66 and ever knew the original. But Pogues: good job

[@johnf4279]

Luke Kelly has an amazing voice, with a natural, pleasing, sustain..... Very cool IMO.

[@leggyblonde21]

Dublin City xx❤

[@MsSineadbyrne]

Petition to knock out the lads who keep wrecking the Luke Kelly statue in Dublin say aye 🖐🏼 The disrespect makes me sick.

[@MsSineadbyrne]

@Jim Dandy yes Man! 100%

[@tomipresley6246]

didnt hear about that , disgusting, jealous of his talent, such a great voice luke kelly, regards from northern ireland

[@mikeford-branch7859]

Very effective , and emotional version , really Working Class , musical instruments quite basic but very effective Thank you

[@richardshort311]

ABSOLUTELY EPIC.

[@axelfischer4860]

I saw and heard them end of the 70ieth twice, Luke was the great...

[@maireadloftus2584]

Brilliant thanks 😊 👍 🙏 😀 👌 👏

[@justinw947]

cant just listen to one dubliners performance, its always an hour long marathon once i start.