Dirty Old Town - The Dubliners | 40 Years Reunion: Live from The Gaiety (2003)

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Since 1962, The Dubliners have been enthralling audiences worldwide with their music and song. The strength and attractiveness of The Dubliners has always been in the personalities of the musicians who have made up this boisterous band of balladeers, from original members, Ronnie Drew, Barney McKenna, Luke Kelly, Ciarán Bourke, John Sheahan and Bob Lynch to the arrival at different stages of Jim McCann, Seán Cannon, Eamonn Campbell and finally the peerless Paddy Reilly.
Produced By: David Donaghy
Sound Engineer: Brian Nartey

[@brianclarke61993]

I met John Sheehan before, out of all the Dubliners he's the most quiet, unassuming and humble of them, I think he just enjoyed the music more than anything

[@markoyouralias.wilhelmsen9360]

Dirty old town is a song about Salford Lancashire. Thats why they sing about factories, gas works and canals. The writer of the song was living in Salford at the time.

[@jonfreeman9911]

Gentleman, it gets no better then this. Absolutely fantastic Legends ✌

[@neilriley4656]

The best recording of this song there is. Absolutely certain of it.

[@robwalsh1322]

Still like paddy Reilly singing this song, but there’s something about Luke Kelly singing it that nothing comes close too 👍😊

[@DanDgl01]

Paddy's voice is superb!

[@ingohopfenblatt8442]

The Dubliners are musician legends. No other folk band stands above them. Their strongness to express music is unbelieveable. I love them for all times.

[@LaterGator1425]

Grateful Dead do alright.

[@196Stefan2]

I had the great pleasure to witness these gentlemen on December 4th 1989 at the "Alte Oper" Frankfurt. Cheers!

[@patriciathewisher2315]

Salford near Manchester is the town of this song written by Kirsty's dad.

[@jackharvey2127]

ONE OF THE BEST SONGS EVER.

[@burntoak9377]

I wish they'd stick to the original Ewan MacColl lyrics; "Salford wind" not "smoky wind", after all MacColl wrote it about his hometown Salford. Still sung by Salford City FC and Man United fans.

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

@@burntoak9377 As I always say to this, citation please. Every version sung or printed by Ewan MacColl had the words "smoky wind" and no-one has demonstrated otherwise. This is just a myth.

[@stevens5541]

Your opinion

[@EverydayLife-sj2go]

Fantastic.

[@alekshai9629]

Paddy Reilly is one of the best vocal of music history

[@fernandodefrutosballestero8170]

Absolutely

[@patriciahoughton2234]

Beautiful for my lovely Angela Breen xxx 😢😢😢

[@YoshiIguana698]

The audience singing the verse by themselves have a touching voice.

[@wimverdoold2059]

what a great voice paddy Reilly

[@patricklynch9869]

Legend mate x

[@Downhomeherbwife]

Heard him in person many times 💖

[@haydenday9948]

These guys are the soundtrack to MY childhood as the son of a "folkie" single mum. Stirs something in my Celtic blood! God Bless all these fine gentlemen

[@mondomondo3144]

This is an English folk song,... wtf are you on about

[@exileddragon53]

This was written by Ewan Mc Coll and is about Salford ..... Nothing at all to do with Ireland. But a great folk ballad all the same.

[@adypurdy3641]

For those people that do not know this song has nothing to with Ireland ,its about my place of birth Salford ! The Gas works was on Liverpool street Salford .

[@PD_54]

Mine too. Soundtrack to my youth.

[@spoon363]

I know its to Salford but I think any working class northerner can relate to this and adopt it. I wander round my town, Sunderland, and it could have been written for here

[@robw7676]

It's a beautiful song. Lived in both Manchester & Salford back in the day & always think of them when I hear this.

[@calumteeling159]

Wrote by an Irish man who lived in Liverpool for work

[@paulwoolley4957]

Ralph mcTell

[@kennethterrell7409]

Haven't seen Paddy in years. But, he's still alive and lives in Naples, Florida. I understand he occasionally shows up at Murphy's Irish Pub. Many, many good memories from The Dubliner. God Bless, Paddy.

[@liammccauley8386]

Reminds me of my granda, alan simpson. One of gods true greats. Rest in peace xxx

[@TheDublinersOfficial]

Hi Liam. We remember your grandfather well, taken at such a young age. The great Irish theatre director and writer. He completed the unfinished Brendan Behan play Richard's Cork Leg in which The Dubliners performed and acted including a run at the Royal Court Theatre, London.

[@wanderingarchive8998]

May he rest in peace. Bless his legacy.

[@carrieannburns1048]

Dad loves this music 😀🍹🍸

[@francodelrio7989]

This is PERFECTION! ❤🇩🇪👈👈👈👈

[@kayepton4654]

One of my early memories

[@Antares070]

10 out of 10..Love them

[@patricklynch9869]

Agreed x

[@jacquelinenoone4728]

I'll always love you, and your songs, my heart is close to your hearts for a long time : many many many Thanks. You're Great, Kisses, Jacqueline.

[@d.j.2803]

Love this so much that I am working on singing it live in front of others. NOW, the issue is: "DO IT JUSTICE!"

[@fernandodefrutosballestero8170]

I am from spain, i like paddy, i like the dubliners and i like the irish music

[@burntoak9377]

It's an English folk song

[@fernandodefrutosballestero8170]

I know it, i like also the english música very much

[@exileddragon53]

Not Irish.... Was written by Ewan McColl and it's about a town in England, Salford to be precise.....!!

[@andrewsmith-cm9qw]

bless them all peace and love from Scotland

[@pierrefauconnier1274]

Cette chanson a parcouru ma vie .. version Servat ou Pogues .. et berce nos racines celtes … dirty old town

[@John-bu8nw]

Birkenhead, dirty old town, my town.

[@Marc443]

No one is kissing Patsy. This is an extra class!

[@iainsinclair8875]

I Love to hear irish folks singing scottish songs with such pride and passion!

[@johnsmith-bx4rn]

well in this case they're singing an English song so go and listen to your bagpipes

[@johnburns4017]

About an English town; Written by an Englishman; Made popular by the _The Spinners,_ a Liverpool, England, based band in the early 1960s; It is great the Irish appreciate and adopted the song.

[@clivelangman8696]

@@johnburns4017 Written by Ewan McColl , born James Henry Miller in Salford......and the song is about Salford

[@johnburns4017]

@@clivelangman8696 One of the _Spinners_ was from Salford.

[@ShowalterdontlikeME]

The town is Salford - which is in England.

[@johannschiestl2772]

Ireland will never perish ! Greetings from Austria !

[@nigecheshire9854]

Cod Zilla nah it’s on the rise 😉👌🏻

[@danielscitt4486]

Well done paddy

[@Joanna-tq2yo]

My late father's favourite ❤

[@yaelpalombo4093]

🎼💖💖

[@gerardgiffney9015]

The Dubliners represent Irish people everywhere. Slainte Gerry Giffney.

[@Jefff72]

I'm American and it sings to that wee bit of Irish that I have in me. I have been to Ireland twice. I loved it and can't wait to get back. 1st time in Dublin and 2nd Dingle & Killarney.

[@christinehasphotos9786]

Love this group absolutely the best !!!!

[@heinrichluchtmann1975]

I love it . Best ever !!!

[@fitzjon4628]

Absolutely Brilliant

[@paulmaguire8931]

I remember growing up and ma dad playing dis

[@mariastoll9450]

Love this brings back good memories

[@johnwheeler2040]

Just wow so nice music

[@ianjeffery6744]

What a fantastic concert this was! Who was having more fun - the musicians, or the audience?

[@raymondconstant7582]

Bravo !

[@francishealy2956]

Magnificent 💚🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪💚

[@fernandodefrutosballestero8170]

I like the voice. Paddy is great

[@bernadettecampbell8929]

I hope gig goes ahead next year in Glasgow

[@nicolamandese3743]

Wonderful song! Great band! Slainte from Italy

[@exileddragon53]

But it's about a town in England.... Salford to be precise and was written by Ewan McColl....!

[@kristalmacleod3215]

MAN THAT FIDDLE AND BANJO THERE JUST GreaT'

[@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

[@johnburns4017]

The original words are: I met my love by the gasworks *croft.* 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 *Salford* 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

[@davidconradlinus3374]

Thank you John

[@robertreynolds1606]

A great folk song, sang by the best

[@sydneympofu2523]

Respect the dambliners

[@garystewart2263]

And my birth place to

[@lucapranzo6627]

Meravigliosa! Fantastic! Gorgeus! Emozionante! Grazie.

[@nicolamandese3743]

Allora non sono l'unico italiano a gustarsi questa splendida musica irlandese :')

[@lucapranzo6627]

@@nicolamandese3743 👍👍👍 Hai ragione :questa è musica splendida! I suoni degli strumenti e le voci ti trasportano nella loro fantastica atmosfera.

[@micknolan9929]

awesome

[@user-dm7ym9wu6d]

Good songs history my elders song it old school

[@vincentbrannelly8786]

Banjo ? Yes please .

[@nigelneill4035]

Coronation streets new homes in salford.

[@gerardgiffney9015]

Only one City and they came to hear the best Irish music ever. Slainte Gerry t

[@burntoak9377]

Irish music? It's an English folk song about Salford, Manchester, England

[@veronicaleung8603]

Love this

[@georgiabrown1022]

My autistic brother loves your song

[@alainlanouziere5888]

Pour eux les Dubliners ....pour nous , les "Parisiennes" ....

[@pattistilwell7424]

Bonjour, comment allez-vous. Je crois que vous restez en sécurité. Je suis Patti de Californie. Je cherche un nouvel ami, j'espère que cela ne vous dérange pas, merci.

[@bernadettecampbell8929]

Brilliant going the 27th

[@manliocornia6668]

Slainte and Slon!

[@gibshields4093]

Was ther fab

[@googoo1346]

Jim Royle on the Bango

[@marcelkarel139]

Helden

[@peterpower6397]

There were more Irish in Salford when this tune was released …..Fact Trafford park full of Irish grafters

[@johngrady9045]

R.I.P. Paddy

[@oldhippiejon]

Gasworks 'croft', 'Salford' wind. otherwise brilliant.

[@jurgensaleika8496]

wir singen noch eure lieder und spielen sie noch die bosselbrothers

[@amitsuryawanshi9906]

Missing Luke

[@dennisesplin3285]

No dirty old towns left. All look the same. Sanitised modernity. Rose tinted Spectacles...... Perhaps.

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

You do realise that this song didn't celebrate the "Dirty Old Towns" ... dirty, cramped, unsanitary, overpopulated and under-housed.

[@dennisesplin3285]

@@andrewwigglesworth3030 Thanks. I didn't realise. What's the story morning glory. Sorry.

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

@@dennisesplin3285 Ewan MacColl (the writer of this song) was a playwright before he was a significant song writer or song collector and singer. He was born (in 1915) and brought up in Broughton, Salford (that's a city next to Manchester in Northwest England). At home his Scottish parents (especially his mother, Betsy) sang folk songs so he had a very good background in these songs and their form. Shortly after WW2 he wrote and staged a play called "A landscape with chimneys" in which he found there was a rather awkward scene change. MacColl quickly wrote a song to fill the time; this song was "Dirty Old Town." The song is a kind of updated envisioning of those old English and Scottish folk songs about courting, set in the countryside. Maybe in some valley or pleasant glade, with gentlemen out walking or with a plough-boy etc. MacColl took this bucolic scene and transferred it to the city environment he knew. With Gasworks, wasteland (the croft mentioned in the song), factories, railways, smoke ... and the old, small cramped housing. As an example, my own father grew up in a "one up one down, back to back" in the shadow of Lister's Mill, Bradford (another Northern English industrial city, this time in Yorkshire). "One up one down" meant there was one living room at ground level, and one room above. "Back to back" meant that the rows were built directly against each other with no path/garden or any space between. How many people? In this case 6 children, parents and grandmother. So, a young man courting would have done it outside of his crowded home. "I found my love by the Gasworks croft" is referring to "love" as a verb as well as maybe a noun ... that's poetry for you. "Spring's a girl in the street at night" seems an odd line, until you realise that he's talking about the season when it was becoming warm enough to for couples "walk out" together in the evenings. Spring (the season) is a girl in the street at night. MacColl used his considerable poetic skill to paint a seemingly evocative scene, but his attitude to this life is quite clear in the last verse. He wants to chop down this "old dead tree" and replace it with something better. This of course would have been a reference to the slum clearance schemes at the time, but as a Communist, MacColl was also meaning something more systematic. That is chopping down the society and economic system that leads to poverty and dirty old towns. As an aside I'll mention that Silk Street (the site of that "one up one down" mentioned above) was demolished and rebuilt as a council housing estate in the 1960s. My Grandmother ended up in a nice 2 bedroom semi-detached house with gardens front and back. PS. I only add the details of where these cities are because I have no idea where you live :-)

[@dennisesplin3285]

@@andrewwigglesworth3030 Thanks Andrew for such an informative reply. I know Salford. My father wrote Scottish dance music. He could play a mean Irish jig on the fiddle. Best wishes.

[@chrisinnes2128]

You do know ewan mccoll would be happy with that

[@annhodgins3474]

Megan love you thank love love thank goodness love thank love love thank goodness love you miss you love thank you thank miss love thank miss thank love talk miss talk thank love miss

[@albansmith-adams3309]

the crowd looked close to death

[@Ugu950]

Jumps

[@johnburns4017]

The words are _gasworks wall._ He is saying something different. What is it?

[@athull08]

He is saying gas yard wall. Both mean the same.

[@johnburns4017]

@@athull08 Why change the words! James Miller, the man from Salford, never wrote it that way.

[@athull08]

@@johnburns4017 I would guess it's more common in Ireland to say gas yard. For example, The Town I Loved So Well by Phil Coulter uses the term gas yard also.

[@johnburns4017]

@@athull08 No excuse in by bastardising the finest folk song ever from the British Isles.

[@athull08]

@@johnburns4017 You need to chill mate

[@L0wki]

Luke watched this from Heaven.

[@scaredypicker]

Don’t make em like this anymore!!

[@pancakes9976]

The song is okay, I think Irish Rover is better but this one is not bad

[@glennpayne704]

Today's music is crap compared to the old days

[@stevens5541]

He sung it wrong

[@athull08]

Explain

[@stevens5541]

Unsubscribe

[@JMAZCASTRO]

Racistas???

[@odemu2074]

No racista

[@erikfjallsa8531]

@@odemu2074 i 'm going to Irland that's it okay ka i ha det mvh Erik Eg you fuckining babtist etc.