In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Dropkick Murphys - CAPTAIN KELLY'S KITCHEN (COURTIN' IN THE KITCHEN)
Come single guy and gal unto me pay attention
Don't ever fall in love
It's the devil's own invention
For once he fell in love with a maiden so bewitching
Miss Henrietta Bell down in Captain Kelly's kitchen
CHORUS:
With me toora loora la, me toora loora laddie
Me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
At the age of seventeen I apprenticed to a grocer
Not far from Stephen's Green
Where Miss Henri' used to go sir
Her manners were sublime she set my heart a-twitchin'
When she invited me to a party in the kitchen
CHORUS:
With me toora loora la, me toora loora laddie
Me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
Sunday was the day that they were to have their flare-up
He dressed himself quite gay
I frizzed and oiled my hair up
The Captain had no wife and he had gone a-fishin'
She groped me on the stairs beneath the old man's kitchen
CHORUS:
With me toora loora la, me toora loora laddie
Me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
Her arms around my waist she slyly hinted marriage
When to the door in haste came Captain Kelly's carriage
Her eyes were full of hate and poison she was spittin'
The Captain kicked the door in and stormed into the kitchen
CHORUS:
With me toora loora la, me toora loora laddie
Me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
When the Captain came downstairs he saw my situation
In spite of all his prayers he was marched off to the station
For him they'd take no bail
To get home I was itchin'
He had to tell the tale how I came into the kitchen
CHORUS:
With me toora loora la, me toora loora laddie
Me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
I said she did invite me
But she gave flat denial
For assault she did indict me and I was sent for trial
She swore he'd robbed her house
In spite of all her screechin'
I got six months hard
For his courtin' in the kitchen
CHORUS:
With me toora loora la, me toora loora laddie
Me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
Come single guy and gal unto me pay attention
Don't ever fall in love
It's the devil's own invention
For once he fell in love with a maiden so bewitching
Miss Henrietta Bell down in Captain Kelly's kitchen
CHORUS:
With me toora loora la, me toora loora laddie
Me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
At the age of seventeen I apprenticed to a grocer
Not far from Stephen's Green
Where Miss Henri' used to go sir
Her manners were sublime she set my heart a-twitchin'
When she invited me to a party in the kitchen
CHORUS:
With me toora loora la, me toora loora laddie
Me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
Sunday was the day that they were to have their flare-up
He dressed himself quite gay
I frizzed and oiled my hair up
The Captain had no wife and he had gone a-fishin'
She groped me on the stairs beneath the old man's kitchen
CHORUS:
With me toora loora la, me toora loora laddie
Me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
Her arms around my waist she slyly hinted marriage
When to the door in haste came Captain Kelly's carriage
Her eyes were full of hate and poison she was spittin'
The Captain kicked the door in and stormed into the kitchen
CHORUS:
With me toora loora la, me toora loora laddie
Me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
When the Captain came downstairs he saw my situation
In spite of all his prayers he was marched off to the station
For him they'd take no bail
To get home I was itchin'
He had to tell the tale how I came into the kitchen
CHORUS:
With me toora loora la, me toora loora laddie
Me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
I said she did invite me
But she gave flat denial
For assault she did indict me and I was sent for trial
She swore he'd robbed her house
In spite of all her screechin'
I got six months hard
For his courtin' in the kitchen
CHORUS:
With me toora loora la, me toora loora laddie
Me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
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I think it's actually a cover of an old Irish folk song, Courting In The Kitchen