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Flannigan's Ball Lyrics

In the town of Milton one Brian Flannigan
Battered away till his money was spent
Then he hit a big one and felt like a man again
Bought a three decker with two floors for rent

He threw a big party for friends and relations
At a grand old place called Florian Hall
And if you’ll just listen I’ll make your eyes glisten
To the rows and the ructions of Flannigan’s ball

Six long months I spent in Quincy,
Six long months doing nothing at all
Six long months I spent in Quincy
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
I stepped out and I stepped in again
I stepped out and I stepped in again
I stepped out and I stepped in again
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball

Free beer on tap and wine for the ladies
Ziti and sauce for Mark Porzio
There were Faheys and Bradys, Mcauliffes and Daleys
Courtin' the girls and dancing away.

Brian Tully sang out in his finest form
The patron’s responded and I lead em all
I'd spent 6 months at Forbes academy
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball

Six long months I spent in Quincy,
Six long months doing nothing at all
Six long months I spent in Quincy
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
I stepped out and I stepped in again
I stepped out and I stepped in again
I stepped out and I stepped in again
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball

The boys were hammered
The girls were hearty
Dancing around in couples and groups
An accident happened to young Dennis Flemming
Put his right leg through Miss Finneran's hoops

This gal she fainted and cried bloody murder
Called for her sons and gathered them all
Christopher swore
He’d go no further
Till he had revenge at Flannigan's ball

Six long months I spent in Quincy,
Six long months doing nothing at all,
Six long months I spent in Quincy
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
I stepped out and I stepped in again,
I stepped out and I stepped in again,
I stepped out and I stepped in again
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball.

In the midst of the melee Miss Collins fainted
Her cheeks by now were as red as a rose
Some of the boys declared she was plastered
Had a small drop to much I suppose

Young Scotty Jenkins so big and able
Saw his fair Colleen stretched by the wall
Tore the left leg from under the table
And smashed all the dishes at Flannigan's ball

Boy oh boy now this was a rumble
Myself took a lick from mean Ricky Green
But I soon replied to that fine introduction
And gave him a terrible kick in the spleen

Talent the Piper nearly got strangled
They squeezed on his bellows, chanters and all,
The girls in the middle nearly got trampled
And that put an end to Flannigan's ball

Six long months I spent in Quincy,
Six long months doing nothing at all,
Six long months I spent in Quincy
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball
I stepped out and I stepped in again,
I stepped out and I stepped in again,
I stepped out and I stepped in again
Learning to dance for Flannigan's ball.
14 Meanings

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Cover art for Flannigan's Ball lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

Quincy, MA has Forbes academy which teaches Irish folk dance.

Positive
Objective
Enjoyment
Irish Folk Dance
Quincy MA
Academy
Education
Culture
Cover art for Flannigan's Ball lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

I assume by quincy they mean quincy (market section) in boston? Other than that this song is self explanitory.

Cover art for Flannigan's Ball lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

Great Song, I recognized Spider Stacy from the Pogues before I looked at the CD book. DKM decided to take a lot of peoples guess work out of things this time but putting a few words to the meaning of each song under the song title in accompanying booklet.

Cover art for Flannigan's Ball lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

This song reminds me personally of my patch of life so far. Yes, despite my traditionally gruff, laboring workman's image I can dance (traditionally) rather well, but they teach it in school up here. I furthered my learnings in this later on, believe it or not it is sister of martial arts, as anyone who has tried both, they actually aid each other on the field or the floor. Anyhow, What I'm hearing when this song plays, despite seeing quite a many nostalgic images of the people I've set to grains, I notice that (though this may not be an intention) "Learning to dance" sounds like a metaphor. If you've ever been to Quincy you may see it too.

Cover art for Flannigan's Ball lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

The Quincy reference isn't Quincy Market at Fanueil Hall, but the town of Quincy, where Dropkick was formed.

Cover art for Flannigan's Ball lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

Fairly simple really, a guy has a party, a fight breaks out and a melee ensues.

Cover art for Flannigan's Ball lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

This is one omy my favorite Dropkick songs. It is set in Quincy Mass which is a town right outside of Boston. It's about a party that ends up in a huge brawl.

@Tater_Tot Forbes academy in Quincy teaches Irish dance

Cover art for Flannigan's Ball lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

The song has nothing to do with Quincy, Mass. This song was originally written hundreds of years ago as a Celtic ballad called "Lannigan's Ball" about a guy named Lannigan who learned to dance and decided to throw a party to show off when a fight broke out and ruined it. DKM took the ballad and set it to punk, much like they did with "Finnegan's Wake", which was another Celtic ballad originally.

It is about Quincy, Mass. DkM did base the song on Lanigan's Ball but they changed a lot of the lyrics. In the original, the line went "Six long months I spent up in Dublin".

Cover art for Flannigan's Ball lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

it probaly does have to do with Quincy Mass. It is a remake of a traditional song - Dropkick Murphys replaced Dublin with Quincy

Six long months I spent in Dublin,

six long months doing nothing at all.

Six long months I spent in Dublin,

learning to dance for Lanigan's ball.

Cover art for Flannigan's Ball lyrics by Dropkick Murphys

this is a great song. the took the lyrics from an old irish song called Lanigan's Ball and updated them and changed it to fit modern times. Very cool.

 
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