As a Swede I've heard A pair of brown eyes many times, and I've never had any problems understanding what he's singing. On this recording there were some less intelligible words, but I wouldn't say to the point where the meaning of the song is lost. One of Shane MacGowans most beautiful texts.
The song was about a soldier looking across the lines and seeing someone looking back at him. Years later, drunk (of course), he goes roving trying to find the person.
waltzing matilda was written by banjo patterson during the shearers strike. patterson was one of the great australian poets. 'matilda' refered to the swag(bedroll) which many unemployed men carried whilst travelling from town to town during the great depresssion. hence the term 'waltzing matilda'. the band also left out at least one verse.
Lyrics One summer evening drunk to hell I stood there nearly lifeless An old man in the corner sang Where the water lilies grow And on the jukebox johnny sang About a thing called love And its how are you kid and whats your name And how would you bloody know? In blood and death neath a screaming sky I lay down on the ground And the arms and legs of other men Were scattered all around Some cursed, some prayed, some prayed then cursed Then prayed and bled some more And the only thing that I could see Was a pair of brown eyes that was looking at me But when we got back, labeled parts one to three There was no pair of brown eyes waiting for me And a rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go For a pair of brown eyes I looked at him he looked at me All I could do was hate him While Ray and Philomena sang Of my elusive dream I saw the streams, the rolling hills Where his brown eyes were waiting And I thought about a pair of brown eyes That waited once for me So drunk to hell I left the place Sometimes crawling sometimes walking A hungry sound came across the breeze So I gave the walls a talking And I heard the sounds of long ago From the old canal And the birds were whistling in the trees Where the wind was gently laughing And a rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go A rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go And a rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go For a pair of brown eyes For a pair of brown eyes And a rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go And a rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go And a rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go For a pair of brown eyes For a pair of brown eyes
The Pogues had an eventful tour of NZ many years ago with Shane painting his hotel room blue and being carried to venue's,he did like his drink.. superb frontman when sober..
Shane MacGowan was an absolute genius as a songwriter and poet. If you get a chance, dive into his lyrics-sublime! It’s not my place to comment on the personal choices he made during his life, but I can say that the world was a much better place with him in it. I’m grateful for the legacy of incredible lyrics and music he left behind. He will be deeply missed.
For those interested Waltzing Matilda is about a vagrant who stole a sheep for food and subsequently was tracked by police to a billabong (Waterhole). Where in preference to being captured jumped in and committed suicide.
To be fair, most cough medicine is very heavily alcohol... George is advertising old shirts it seems. I really enjoyed both songs. Traditional Irish folk music has a certain appeal to it. And if you listen closely you can make out the words. For all of his imperfections Shane McGowan was a great performer and whoever writes the songs is very good.
I suspect that this was the day of this week to get deep into the weeds of Irish punk-folk (with a nod towards Australia too, can't complain about that!)
The Pogues version of "The Band Plays Waltzing Matilda" is a travesty with its faux punk, unmelodic Irish vibe. It lacks all the nuance, emotion, power and eloquence of the Eric Bogle original, Not to mention changing the Australian words they didn't understand and omitting the important verse.
Hmmmm, all this talk of travesties and banning songs. Not what our young men in the prime of their lives sacrificed so much for me thinks. Step away from your keyboards and take a good look at yourselves! If you're fellow Australians I'm ashamed of you.
Best concert i have ever seen was the Pogues in St Louis when they were at there peak, the worst concert i have ever seen was Pouges in Adelaide when Shane McGown was so pissed he barely made it thru the first song. In spite of that they are absolute legends
Dirty Old Town is another classic Pogue's cover - and probably the song that broke them internationally, their crossover hit as some folks would have it. Bogle's song highlights some of the revisionist oxymorons of Aussie society. It is a song that resonates strongly in Australia for a number of reasons, one of which is that it represents the betrayal of the populace by it's leaders....which is where the oxymoron wipes it's boots and steps into the front room. The PM, Billy Hughes, was a rabid exponent of conscription, a supporter of both the white Australia policy and also British military policy in WWI. Yet he is held up as an example of a great Australian, the Little Digger, in a country that rails, as in this song, against the UK because of Gallipoli etc. ps Hughes did do a load of other stuff, some of which was quite good & did help the country long term.
I adore both these songs. Kudos to Richard for combining them, as they both deal with the tragedy of war and survivor’s guilt. A Pair of Brown Eyes shows just what a masterful lyricist and poet McGowan was. As others mentioned, unfortunately this live version of The Band Played Waltzing Matilda is missing a couple of key verses, and loses impact as a result. Should have gone with the studio version. Still, TBPWM is absolutely iconic, and in the 70s and 80s you couldn’t go to a folk club in Aus or the UK or Ireland without hearing it. Bogle’s an outstanding songwriter himself and can range from heart tugging emotion, be it personal or social commentary, through to hilarious satire. There are countless recordings and versions of that song, but Bogle is on record as saying The Pogues’ is his LEAST favorite (though I like it for its rawness). His favorite (and mine) is the first one that was recorded, back in 1976 by English folk singer June Tabor - sparse a cappella which sends a chill down my spine every time I listen to it.
The song is about an Australian soldier who was part of the ANZAC force that landed and fought at Gallipoli in WW1. For both Australians and New Zealanders this is not just a war song. A version on utube that I really like other than the original was done by the Westlake Girls and Boys HS Choir in NZ. Its emotional and performed with a huge amount of respect by young people honouring the ANZAC legacy. There is also a film clip on utube from the Australian War. Memorial of Australian troops marching into battle while whistling Waltzing Matilda I dont know if its taken in WW1 or WW2 but to me the quality of the film suggests maybe the great war.
Saw the Pogues a couple of times when they toured here in Oz. Absolutely fabulous, and one of the great memories of live music. Shane MacGowan, another one-off that will be sorely missed. You simply must go and listen to the full version of The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. This version is badly abridged and loses a lot of the impact. The version on the album is complete.
First time hearing them after many years of hearing of them. Pretty good stuff. There’s probably better versions of And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda out there, but at least there’s bands like this keeping the song alive.
If you want to dive into Waltzing Matilda, Slim Dusty was the master. My favourite performance was him at the Sydney Olympics closing ceremony. (I was there that night) Slim was a legend of Australian country music with 100 albums.
Waltzing Mathilda. Somehow that song is horrible and I actually can't get rid of it. Dad married Mathilda, and built a model boat he profesed to own one day. Of course named 'Waltzing Mathilda'. Both mother and father are dead, but the model ship is there just needs a few repairs on the sails.
I think the Pogues version of the band played Waltzing Mathilda is the best song about war there is. It takes Shane Macgowan's voice dripping with bitterness to give the song it's full affect. Mind you, this view is sacrilege to Eric Bogle fans. And yes - there's a couple of missing verses here.
As a Swede I've heard A pair of brown eyes many times, and I've never had any problems understanding what he's singing. On this recording there were some less intelligible words, but I wouldn't say to the point where the meaning of the song is lost. One of Shane MacGowans most beautiful texts.
No problem with hearing the words
That's quite an abridged version of The Band Played etc
The song was about a soldier looking across the lines and seeing someone looking back at him. Years later, drunk (of course), he goes roving trying to find the person.
"Roving" constantly moving from one area or place to another.. "And roving and roving and roving i'll go, for a pair of brown eyes"
That would be it!
Saw them in 1989 in Chicago and it was one of the best shows I've ever been too. RIP Shane, you utter legend.
He was that
waltzing matilda was written by banjo patterson during the shearers strike. patterson was one of the great australian poets. 'matilda' refered to the swag(bedroll) which many unemployed men carried whilst travelling from town to town during the great depresssion. hence the term 'waltzing matilda'. the band also left out at least one verse.
Lyrics
One summer evening drunk to hell
I stood there nearly lifeless
An old man in the corner sang
Where the water lilies grow
And on the jukebox johnny sang
About a thing called love
And its how are you kid and whats your name
And how would you bloody know?
In blood and death neath a screaming sky
I lay down on the ground
And the arms and legs of other men
Were scattered all around
Some cursed, some prayed, some prayed then cursed
Then prayed and bled some more
And the only thing that I could see
Was a pair of brown eyes that was looking at me
But when we got back, labeled parts one to three
There was no pair of brown eyes waiting for me
And a rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go
For a pair of brown eyes
I looked at him he looked at me
All I could do was hate him
While Ray and Philomena sang
Of my elusive dream
I saw the streams, the rolling hills
Where his brown eyes were waiting
And I thought about a pair of brown eyes
That waited once for me
So drunk to hell I left the place
Sometimes crawling sometimes walking
A hungry sound came across the breeze
So I gave the walls a talking
And I heard the sounds of long ago
From the old canal
And the birds were whistling in the trees
Where the wind was gently laughing
And a rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go
A rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go
And a rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go
For a pair of brown eyes
For a pair of brown eyes
And a rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go
And a rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go
And a rovin, a rovin, a rovin I'll go
For a pair of brown eyes
For a pair of brown eyes
Brilliant lyrics. Thanks!
The Pogues had an eventful tour of NZ many years ago with Shane painting his hotel room blue and being carried to venue's,he did like his drink.. superb frontman when sober..
Shane MacGowan was an absolute genius as a songwriter and poet. If you get a chance, dive into his lyrics-sublime! It’s not my place to comment on the personal choices he made during his life, but I can say that the world was a much better place with him in it. I’m grateful for the legacy of incredible lyrics and music he left behind. He will be deeply missed.
Thanks Suzie!
@@TheThamesmen You’re welcome, Alex!
@@soozarty :)
For those interested Waltzing Matilda is about a vagrant who stole a sheep for food and subsequently was tracked by police to a billabong (Waterhole). Where in preference to being captured jumped in and committed suicide.
To be fair, most cough medicine is very heavily alcohol...
George is advertising old shirts it seems.
I really enjoyed both songs. Traditional Irish folk music has a certain appeal to it. And if you listen closely you can make out the words. For all of his imperfections Shane McGowan was a great performer and whoever writes the songs is very good.
Shane wrote every word. An amazing songwriter and poet. Deeply missed
The Waltzing Matilda song is very emotional.
You should check out Weddings Parties, Anything. Start with A Tale They Won't Believe.
Not sure which song you were questioning but Waltzing Matilda, itself, is AU. What other country would mention billabongs and tucker bags?
The tune itself is a foreign tune.
I suspect that this was the day of this week to get deep into the weeds of Irish punk-folk (with a nod towards Australia too, can't complain about that!)
My favourite Pogues song by a mile. Makes me think of my wife's brown eyes
The second song had a very significant verse omitted. The best versions are by Eric himself.
The Pogues version of "The Band Plays Waltzing Matilda" is a travesty with its faux punk, unmelodic Irish vibe. It lacks all the nuance, emotion, power and eloquence of the Eric Bogle original, Not to mention changing the Australian words they didn't understand and omitting the important verse.
@@elmolino2239.they were too pissed to even remember the verse . Should ban this rendition off you tube altogether.
Hmmmm, all this talk of travesties and banning songs. Not what our young men in the prime of their lives sacrificed so much for me thinks. Step away from your keyboards and take a good look at yourselves! If you're fellow Australians I'm ashamed of you.
For a MacGowan-esque Aussie performance check out The Drones - Shark Fin Blues. It's pretty special.
Best concert i have ever seen was the Pogues in St Louis when they were at there peak, the worst concert i have ever seen was Pouges in Adelaide when Shane McGown was so pissed he barely made it thru the first song. In spite of that they are absolute legends
Dirty Old Town is another classic Pogue's cover - and probably the song that broke them internationally, their crossover hit as some folks would have it.
Bogle's song highlights some of the revisionist oxymorons of Aussie society. It is a song that resonates strongly in Australia for a number of reasons, one of which is that it represents the betrayal of the populace by it's leaders....which is where the oxymoron wipes it's boots and steps into the front room. The PM, Billy Hughes, was a rabid exponent of conscription, a supporter of both the white Australia policy and also British military policy in WWI. Yet he is held up as an example of a great Australian, the Little Digger, in a country that rails, as in this song, against the UK because of Gallipoli etc.
ps Hughes did do a load of other stuff, some of which was quite good & did help the country long term.
Great comments thanks
I adore both these songs. Kudos to Richard for combining them, as they both deal with the tragedy of war and survivor’s guilt. A Pair of Brown Eyes shows just what a masterful lyricist and poet McGowan was. As others mentioned, unfortunately this live version of The Band Played Waltzing Matilda is missing a couple of key verses, and loses impact as a result. Should have gone with the studio version. Still, TBPWM is absolutely iconic, and in the 70s and 80s you couldn’t go to a folk club in Aus or the UK or Ireland without hearing it. Bogle’s an outstanding songwriter himself and can range from heart tugging emotion, be it personal or social commentary, through to hilarious satire. There are countless recordings and versions of that song, but Bogle is on record as saying The Pogues’ is his LEAST favorite (though I like it for its rawness). His favorite (and mine) is the first one that was recorded, back in 1976 by English folk singer June Tabor - sparse a cappella which sends a chill down my spine every time I listen to it.
The song is about an Australian soldier who was part of the ANZAC force that landed and fought at Gallipoli in WW1. For both Australians and New Zealanders this is not just a war song. A version on utube that I really like other than the original was done by the Westlake Girls and Boys HS Choir in NZ. Its emotional and performed with a huge amount of respect by young people honouring the ANZAC legacy. There is also a film clip on utube from the Australian War. Memorial of Australian troops marching into battle while whistling Waltzing Matilda I dont know if its taken in WW1 or WW2 but to me the quality of the film suggests maybe the great war.
RIP Shane MacGowan. An artist's artist.
Saw the Pogues a couple of times when they toured here in Oz. Absolutely fabulous, and one of the great memories of live music. Shane MacGowan, another one-off that will be sorely missed.
You simply must go and listen to the full version of The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. This version is badly abridged and loses a lot of the impact. The version on the album is complete.
Loved this
First time hearing them after many years of hearing of them. Pretty good stuff. There’s probably better versions of And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda out there, but at least there’s bands like this keeping the song alive.
Shane mcgowans death although not unexpected in ireland was very sad , i cant remember a celebrity death effecting people so much.
Now I have a Pavlovian need for a pint of Guinness.
The Chieftains predated The Pogues by 20 years and are still going. RIP to Shane and Paddy Moloney.
And The Proclaimers are Scottish
Do the album, Rum Sodomy and the Lash, quite brilliant from start to finish
Brilliant!!
If you like Tin Whistle solos that absolutely shred, check out Spirit of the West: "Home for a Rest"
Not sure we said that!
It’s all about beer eh?
Bloody hell Alex.
Yup!
@@TheThamesmen you still in D ? :) if so beer on me sir
And a roving, and a roving and a roving I'll go.....not rowing
If you want to dive into Waltzing Matilda, Slim Dusty was the master. My favourite performance was him at the Sydney Olympics closing ceremony. (I was there that night)
Slim was a legend of Australian country music with 100 albums.
Waltzing Mathilda. Somehow that song is horrible and I actually can't get rid of it. Dad married Mathilda, and built a model boat he profesed to own one day. Of course named 'Waltzing Mathilda'. Both mother and father are dead, but the model ship is there just needs a few repairs on the sails.
I’m confused
Join the club
I think the Pogues version of the band played Waltzing Mathilda is the best song about war there is. It takes Shane Macgowan's voice dripping with bitterness to give the song it's full affect. Mind you, this view is sacrilege to Eric Bogle fans. And yes - there's a couple of missing verses here.
As an Aussie I think this cover is pretty good but I prefer Eric Bogles original.
@@Davo-i1s Also an Aussie - and of course many people prefer the Eric Bogle version. I just love the Pogues one.
@@michaelwebster8389 yeah thats cool evety one has their iown preferrence its a great song either way.