Get all 18 The Dublin City Rounders releases available on Bandcamp and save 40%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Essentially James Joyce, She Gave Me an Archon, It Used To Be About The Money, She's a Lady, Boy & Legs Like Those are Few and Far Apart, Baby I Get It & How Could I Say No, Songs of The Rising, The Tennessee Waltz & Blank Space, Around With Andy Lee, and 10 more.
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I don't mind a little boogie, honky tonk or blues. I'm just a good ol' hillbilly cowboy, ain't got nothing to lose. I've played in every kind of place, man I've paid my dues. I've been up, down, rich and broke, I like decent folk.
I've played Whelan's and the Mercantile, The International too. From Fibbers up on Parnell street to McCauly's in the Coombe. I carry my guitar 'round the town wearing down my shoes. Gigging is hard and it ain't no joke, I like decent folk.
I've met all kinds of people and most of them is cool, swinging on the dance floor or drinking whisky in a big high stool. I may be a clown and I may be a fool but i'll keep rocking till the day I croak, I like decent folk
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2. |
Best Boots on the Bus
03:02
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Well I ain't got no gold records, no big new shiny car.
I ain't on the the television, and I'm no big radio star.
Oh and when I go to the airport, nobody makes a fuss.
But the one thing that's for certain is I got the best boots on the bus.
I got the best boots on the bus, best boots on the bus.
Spanish leather, Cuban heels, quality you can trust.
best boots on the bus, best boots on the bus.
I ain't goin' nowhere but I got the best boots on the bus.
Well I'm not the world's greatest singer, and I can barely play guitar.
I ride them buses every day but they don't take me very far.
And my good gal sits beside me, and people laugh at us.
But I sit there in kingly comfort, with the best boots on the bus.
Well I may never be president, or make the cover of TIME.
And I don't have Rockefeller's money, in fact I don't even have a dime.
But when I see the state of people's footwear and I hear them moan and cuss.
I thank the lord almighty that I've got the best boots on the bus.
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3. |
Like a Nine-Stone Cowboy
03:16
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Procrastination, no motivation, I was part of that Playstation generation. The only walk I took was to the fridge and I got bigger than a blue ribbon pig. Then one day my mama said "I ain't gonna pay your bills and I doubt your dear old, disappearin' daddy will." So I grabbed my guitar and I gigged around and my, how quickly I lost them pounds.
Now I'm a lean, mean rocking machine. I'm like a nine-stone cowboy. I walked so far and I rocked so hard, I found the best damn diet this side of having to starve. I'm a lean, mean rocking machine. I'm like a nine-stone cowboy.
I tried vegetarian and Aiken too but I couldn't resist my dear ol mama's stew. I tried boxing, jogging, hatha yoga, tried sweating in the sauna with my itty-bitty toga. I was a big fat boy despite my pain, for every loss I made a double gain. None of them methods got me very far until I ordered my first guitar.
Now I'm a lean, mean rocking machine. I'm like a nine-stone cowboy. I walked so far and I rocked so hard, I found the best damn diet this side of having to starve. I'm a lean, mean rocking machine. I'm like a nine-stone cowboy.
I couldn't pass a cake shop without walking in. Now it's just music stores for picks and guitar strings. Once, video games were my life's only joy, now this six string music machine is my one and only toy.
The first stage I stepped on barely took my weight but for the next three weeks I barely ever ate. Rockin' and rollin' is mighty hard, just living on beans, bread, coffee and lard. Now my old clothes don't fit me no more, I'm just like a picture of after and before.With the sweat and work and worry of playing my guitar I'm as light as an angel, I'm as bright as a star.
I'm a lean, mean rocking machine. I'm like a nine-stone cowboy. I walked so far and I rocked so hard, I found the best damn diet this side of having to starve. I'm a lean, mean rocking machine. I'm like a nine-stone, skin and bone, rockin' and a-rollin' til the cows come home cowboy.
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She was a raven haired, grey eyed beauty walking barefoot on the stair and like a dream it seemed to me she was the only one there. I motioned to the stranger beside me "Now that's a woman I'd like to meet." he said "She's sweet but it's your own desire that will land you at her feet.
If you're looking for human kindness, boy, you'd better run. If you want her to feel sorry for all the things she's done you could wait for the heavens to fall or ice to cover the sun. But if you want to go places that you've never gone before, she's the only one.
If you need to feel security, boy, you'd better stay clear. For every new assurity just brings a deeper fear. But if you're looking for satisfaction that is second to none, if it's dirty, dangerous and got to be done, she's the only one.
You can walk and run, climb or crawl but you won't even get near. You could say goodbye to all things good, wholesome and dear. She'll only smile as if she's listening to the merits you have won. But if you want to get to heaven by passing through hell, she's the only one.
And if you want to ride high on waves of desire, she's the only one. For mayhem and pleasure unbound and free, she's the only one. One last word of warning, listen carefully son: you can hope and pray and dream it but you won't be the only one.
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5. |
De Calm Before de Money
02:57
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Well I've got a girl just as cute as a button and ever since I've known I've wanted for nothing.
But she knits her brow when she's thinking on something, her eyes open wide and her heart starts thumping.
She says "listen here baby will you look at these bills, our financial affairs really give me the chills."
"We got no dough and our rent is overdue," I said "calm down girl that's nothing new"
Since the dawn of time man has had his needs, ever since he climbed down from the trees.
Everything has a price but don't worry honey, what we're experiencing is just de calm before de money.
Well what happened next I can't explain, to me she became something strange.
She waved her arms and jumped around, shouting and screaming, pacing up and down.
She then proceeded to pack her clothes and with a thunderous slam out the door she goes.
Where she went God only knows, must have been something I said I suppose.
Since the dawn of time man has had his needs, ever since he climbed down from the trees.
Everything has a price but don't worry honey, what we're experiencing is just de calm before de money.
I sat there thinking on my own, man is not meant to live alone.
So I tried to call on the telephone to see if I could get her to come back home.
But all I got was a recorded message, relayed now in the following passage.
In a voice so shrill and hard and mean, this is what she said to me:
"I don't care about man's needs, why don't you go back and live up in the trees.
When you tell that landlord it won't sound funny, no dough buddy, it's just the calm before the money"
Since the dawn of time man has had his needs, ever since he climbed down from the trees.
Everything has a price but don't worry honey, what we're experiencing is just de calm before de money.
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I didn't have a guitar but I had gigs coming up, I didn't have much money and I was down on my luck but then I saw her there on the internet for forty-five bucks, my Shine. So I drove on lout to that parking lot in the quaint old town of Tallagh and I waited in the pouring rain for that guitar selling fella. And there she was, her golden hardware sparkling bright and yeller, my Shine.
My Shine, my Shine, I bought her for a bargain, wouldn't sell her any time. I've had two Telecasters and a Gibson Les Paul but I would trade them all for my shine.
I hard tailed her Floyd Rose 'cause I don't like too much twang and I fondled with her humbuckers until she really sang. Then I zipper her up with new strings on a to my gig I ran with my Shine. Now when I hit that big ol' stage that red Shine stands with me. I pluck her, pick her, fingerlick her from chords A to G. Ain't nothing on this god's green earth can get between her and me, my Shine.
My Shine, my Shine, I bought her for a bargain, wouldn't sell her any time. I've had two Telecasters and a Gibson Les Paul but I would trade them all for my shine.
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7. |
Nashville Hairline
03:05
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I'm older, I'm grey, but I will not fade away.
I'm cool and I'm wise, my star is on the rise.
I'm here today, but I'll soon be on my way.
You can see me coming from a half a mile with my Nashville hairline.
If you ask me I'm doing fine with my Nashville hairline.
I long to be in sunny Tennessee.
Where Jones and Elvis beat out a road of wood and steel.
They weren't the first, or the last to walk down Beale.
But I walk with them and they walk with me with my Nashville hairline.
If you ask me I'm doing fine with my Nashville hairline.
I'm a rockin' ol' daddy and mamma you know it's true.
From my Stetson hat right down to my rawhide shoes.
Playin' honky-tonk guitar all the time, I'm a blue eyed devil with a pearly smile.
I comb my hair up tsunami style, I must admit it can take a while, about an hour in the morning and an hour at night.
But baby it's worth it when you get it right.
My guitar play tunes from days gone by.
But while the world is turning these songs will never die.
Another rebel heart will raise the flag on high.
I may fall down but I'm gonna try with my Nashville hairline.
If you ask me I'm doing fine with my Nashville hairline.
In my Cuban heels I'm about 5 foot 9 with my Nashville hairline.
Oh it's mighty high but it's worth the climb, my Nashville hairline.
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8. |
Hippies Lie In
03:22
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I went down busking on Grafton street, just about half past ten. Found me a good sunny pitch because the hippies lie in.
I made me a bucket of money then done got me home again before them long haired beards turned up because the hippies lie in.
I seen some human statues and a junkie hitting a tin but there weren't no emo hipsters yet because all them hippies lie in.
I once went out in the afternoon but I ain't never gonna do that again. I lost my mind and I made no money but now I know the hippies lie in.
Them hippies are vegetarian, that's why they're so awful thin. They make love most every night and that's why they lie in.
So if you want to go busking on Grafton street, you'd better get there 'bout half past ten. You make yourself good money, why? Because the hippies lie in.
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I love you Linda Lucy Karen Anne Martha Jane,
Mary Ellen Kathy Trisha Jacky Susan May.
Now boys don't be jealous, it really is a strain.
It's hard loving a girl with the world's longest name!
I took her to the pictures and said two tickets please,
And then I went and asked what movie she'd like to see.
But that usher heard me call and when I went to pay,
He gave me fourteen tickets and very little change.
She won't allow no pet names, it's all her names or none,
Her folks are from the mountain and that's how things are done.
I will not love another girl, it really is a shame.
It's hard loving a girl with the world's longest name.
One time out on the highway she was doin' ninety five,
A policeman pulled her over and there by the roadside,
He said "It's too much paperwork for me to make an arrest"
'Cause her driver's licence reads like the Gettysburg address.
I dare not call her across a room for every girl will come.
The smallest thing that I require only strikes me dumb.
I wish she were a city girl I'd like her just the same,
Oh it's hard loving a girl with the world's longest name.
Some folks think I'm Mormon, others think I'm strange,
No I just love a girl with the world's longest name.
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You want me to visit your mama and your poor old daddy at home, you can't leave your sister to spend the night alone but I ain't no babysitter for people who is fully growd. I'm a man of my word and my word is "no".
You want me to mind your handbag while you go to the loo, you must figure I've got nothing better to do than to stand here minding your baggage while you go powder your nose. I'm a man of my word and my word is "no".
They say there are many festivals that a fella like me can play but I must pay for transport and find somewhere to stay. If I wanted to work for nothing I would just say so. I'm a man of my word and my word is "no".
There are many great causes and many hungry folk, many a man is out of work and many, many more are broke but I don't give no donations just on somebody's say so. I'm a man of my word and my word is "no"
You say that your poor brother wants to make a loan, you say he needs the money for something, so and so but listen here, little honey, I don't give away my dough. I'm a man of my word and my word is "no"
You say you've got some friends staying for a week, they say they like your cooking, well ain't they got some cheek? They can stay in a hotel and they can eat at Joe's 'cause I'm a man of my word and my word is "no".
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I was reading some articles in a well known men's magazine, one on reincarnation and another on psychopathy.
Then and there it struck me as the cure to my anxiety, it seems next time I die I might return with a new psychology.
I'm tired of all the bad guys, having all the fun.
If there's reincarnation, I'm coming back as a psychopath.
I could be a politician, get a job in the world bank, or I could be a porn star and enjoy a good old spank.
I could kill without conscience, live without loss, be a sabotaging employee or a big mean boss.
I would delight in sacking people, I wouldn't give a toss.
If there's reincarnation, I'm coming back as a psychopath.
I've lived and loved and loved and lost and now my nerves are bad, my empathy is on overload and I'm tired of being sad.
I've reciprocated feelings ever since I was born, and every time someone dies I'm obliged to mourn.
But now my feelings are spent, my emotions are all worn.
If there's reincarnation, I'm coming back as a psychopath.
I could be a high class hooker saying "sugar, daddy, honey" having a real cool time, getting all the money.
I could be a pimp with a long sharp razor, alligator shoes, gold chain on my blazer.
I'm tired of all this moral nonsense, the best things in life are free of conscience.
If there's reincarnation, I'm coming back as a psychopath.
I could be a dentist pulling out your teeth, or an acurapuncturist sticking needles in your little feet.
I could be a gardener and hassle all the plants, a fashion designer and make unwearable pants.
I would take a walk just to step on ants.
If there's reincarnation, I'm coming back as a psychopath.
I could be a policeman walking on the beat, kicking all the dogs with my big flat feet.
A big powerful bishop, a priest or a nun, fleecing the flock and having loads of fun.
An Ice cold hit man doing business in style, a very naughty child breaking things and going wild.
Lawyer, doctor, teacher, I would torture you with math.
If there's reincarnation, I'm coming back as a psychopath.
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I was walking home one day and what did I see but a brand new jacket just hanging from a tree. So I pulled it down and I put it on and the birds in the tree started singing this song
They said "That's the Devil's jacket, It's the Devil's jacket. Be careful what you wish for when you wear that coat because the Devil in return is gonna steal your soul."
Now when the gals look at me they fall at my feet and when I'm walking by the stalls they give me something to eat. They say the best things in life are always for free, now everything's the best when it's for me.
Because I got the Devil's jacket, got the Devil's jacket. Be careful what you wish for when you wear that coat because the Devil in return is gonna steal your soul.
I thought I'd scored, thought I had it all but never have I felt so poor. Now I can't feel no pleasure 'cause I can't feel no pain, I just hear the Devil laugh as he's calling my name.
He says "You got the Devil's jacket, got the Devil's jacket. Be careful what you wish for when you wear my coat because in return I'm gonna steal your soul."
So if you're walking one day and what do you see but a brand new jacket just hanging from a tree take a tip from me and walk on by because that's the Devil's jacket and it ain't no lie.
"It's the Devil's jacket, It's the Devil's jacket. Be careful what you wish for when you wear that coat because the Devil in return is gonna steal your soul."
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14. |
Something we all Know
03:00
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We played our share of honky-tonks, most always had a blast and we've met most every type: black, white, tall, short, slow and fast. Most all of y'all are kind and true and neighbourly to the last but there is one type, no nice way to put it, they're just a pain the ass.
And they say "Please, please, please play something we all know." Some folk's can't enjoy a tune 'less they've heard it before. They simply lack the capacity to appreciate the unknown so "Please, please, please play something we all know."
We like to play some good old tunes by Jimmy, Johnny and Hank and we play our hearts out every night, that's with or without your thanks. But we ain't no jukebox with no best of song bank, we're just a couple of boys making some noise no matter what you think.
But they say "Please, please, please play something we all know." Some folk's can't enjoy a tune 'less they've heard it before. They simply lack the capacity to appreciate the unknown so "Please, please, please play something we all know."
Now nostalgia, I'll admit, sure does feel grand and there's nothing quite like singing along, clapping them big ol' hands. But there was a time when your favourite song you'd never heard before so open your hearts and open your ears because there's so much more.
And quit saying "Please, please, please play something we all know." Some folk's can't enjoy a tune 'less they've heard it before. They simply lack the capacity to appreciate the unknown so "Please, please, please play something we all know."
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15. |
Satan's Dotted Line
03:01
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Well the devil took my girlfriend but he left me a bottle of booze,
I can't lose, I can't lose.
Lightnin' killed my chickens but I cooked 'em up for food.
I can't lose, I can't lose.
'Cause chicken am good and whiskey am too,
Lightnin' nor women can't give me no blues.
Since I signed that dotted line Satan pays out every time,
I can't lose.
Well my dog done got runned over but I got me a brand new cat.
I can't lose, I can't lose.
And the wind blew away my trilby but I found me an old top hat,
I can't lose, I can't lose.
Well my daddy died while fishin' but I got his pocket knife,
I can't lose, I can't lose.
And my best friend died last week but I'm keen on his widow wife,
I can't lose, I can't lose.
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I used to have no money, couldn't even afford a shave. All I had to look forward to was an early grave but then I got myself a guitar and I hit that big ol' stage, now I'm saved, my ass is saved. I went to the drug store and got myself some shades, went to see the cordwainer and get some good boots made. Hat, jeans, jacket, tassels and braid, now I'm saved, my ass is saved.
It's saved, saved, it was lost and now it's saved.
I used to spend my money on whisky and babes, I lived a wicked life, frivolous and gay, all my cash was gone before I was even paid but now I'm saved, my ass is saved. I went to the church, I went to the school but that didn't stop me acting like a fool, I wasn't much at praying and I left in the eight grade but now I'm saved, my ass is saved.
It's saved, saved, it was lost and now it's saved.
My daddy worked all his life and just died all sick and grey, my poor old mama just slaved her life away, well I made up my mind that I'd never do the same 'cause I'm saved, my ass is saved.
It's saved, saved, it was lost and now it's saved.
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I don't mind a little boogie, honky tonk or blues. I'm just a good ol' hillbilly cowboy, ain't got nothing to lose. I've played in every kind of place, man I've paid my dues. I've been up, down, rich and broke, I like decent folk.
I've played Whelan's and the Mercantile, The International too. From Fibbers up on Parnell street to McCauly's in the Coombe. I carry my guitar 'round the town wearing out my shoes. Gigging is hard and it ain't no joke, I like decent folk.
I've met all kinds of people and most of them is cool, swinging on the dance floor or drinking whisky in a big high stool. I may be a clown and I may be a fool but i'll keep rocking till the day I croak, I like decent folk
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The Dublin City Rounders Dublin, Ireland
If The Dublin City Rounders were a dog it would be a pink bulldog with a cowboy hat, a studded leather collar and sporting a
sleeveless denim jacket.
Two Irish brothers, one mind and a single beating heart made of rock n roll gold.
Whether playing a Stephen Foster esque song from the 1880’s or a brand new self penned classic you can’t take your eyes, or ears, off these lads!
... more
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