@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Well, Jimmy played harmonica in the pub where I was born
He played it from the night time to the peaceful early morn'
He soothed the souls of psychos and the men who had the horn
And they all looked very happy in the morning
But Jimmy didn't like his place in this world of ours
Where the elephant man broke strong men's necks when he'd had too many pours
So sad to see the grieving and the people that I'm leaving
And he took the road for god knows in the morning
We walked him to the station in the rain
We kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
(Far away) I'm sad to say I must be on me way
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally Maclennane
The years went by, the times had changed I grew to be a man
I learned to love the virtues of sweet Sally Maclennane
I took the jeers and drank the beers and crawled back home at dawn
And ended up a barman in the morning
I played the pump and took the hump and watered whiskey down
I talked of whores and horses to the men who drank the brown
I heard them say that Jimmy's making money far away
And some people left for heaven without warning
We walked him to the station in the rain
We kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
(Far away) I'm sad to say I must be on me way
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally Maclennane
When Jimmy came back home he was surprised that they were gone
He asked me all the details of the train that they went on
Some people they are scared to croak but Jimmy drank until he choked
Took the road for heaven in the morning
We walked him to the station in the rain
And we kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
(Far away) I'm sad to say I must be on me way
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally Maclennane
He played it from the night time to the peaceful early morn'
He soothed the souls of psychos and the men who had the horn
And they all looked very happy in the morning
But Jimmy didn't like his place in this world of ours
Where the elephant man broke strong men's necks when he'd had too many pours
So sad to see the grieving and the people that I'm leaving
And he took the road for god knows in the morning
We walked him to the station in the rain
We kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
(Far away) I'm sad to say I must be on me way
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally Maclennane
The years went by, the times had changed I grew to be a man
I learned to love the virtues of sweet Sally Maclennane
I took the jeers and drank the beers and crawled back home at dawn
And ended up a barman in the morning
I played the pump and took the hump and watered whiskey down
I talked of whores and horses to the men who drank the brown
I heard them say that Jimmy's making money far away
And some people left for heaven without warning
We walked him to the station in the rain
We kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
(Far away) I'm sad to say I must be on me way
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally Maclennane
When Jimmy came back home he was surprised that they were gone
He asked me all the details of the train that they went on
Some people they are scared to croak but Jimmy drank until he choked
Took the road for heaven in the morning
We walked him to the station in the rain
And we kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again
(Far away) I'm sad to say I must be on me way
So buy me beer and whiskey 'cause I'm going far away (far away)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally Maclennane
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
Sally MacLennane Lyrics as written by Shane Patrick Lysaght Macgowan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
The verse by verse is really great. Sally maclennane is the name of a stout (i.e. beer like Guiness) as per wikipedia.
The 2nd and 3rd chourus, as previously said, are largely symbolic since it's a metaphor for an irish wake. At an irish wake, people get drunk and have a big party because going to heaven is supposed to be a good thing. Hence, why they knew they'd "be seeing him again".
It's a really song of loss and death, but captures the high-spirit of the irish/religious belief that one shouldn't be sad at departures since we all end up seeing each other again in the end.
Errr... Sally MacLennan is the name of the pub, not a girl. It's actually a very sad song, the guy goes away, comes back to find that almost everyone he knew has died, then he drinks himself to death.
There's no girl in the song.
@skitten <br /> <br /> Not so sure since he says "To the greatest little boozer AND to Sally Maclennane." <br /> <br /> It sounds like Sally was Jimmy's girl before he left, and then later the narrator takes up with her in Jimmy's absence. But it is possible that Sally is some sort of drink they both had a weakness for?<br /> <br /> I also don't think it's a sad song, not only because of its upbeat nature, but because I take the "Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again" to mean they'd all be reunited in heaven or the afterlife or some such as I've heard is the Irish belief.
I'll go through it verse by verse:
[verse one and two] Jimmy is a kid (young man, whatever) in a fairly small town. He entertains in pubs and is well liked by everyone, but grows tired of small town life and the pub and decides to leave for bigger and better things.
[first chorus] His friends go with him to the train station to see him off. They talked about old times but didn't let themselves get too down about Jimmy leaving because they feel sure they'll meet again some day.
[verse three and four] One of Jimmy's friends, the singer, grows older and lingers at the pubs more for the drinks than for the company, though he does still make small talk with other patrons. He hears talk of Jimmy, and how he's off and doing well for himself. As the years go on, some of the old "gang" die.
[second chorus] It's more symbolic, now. They aren't taking people to an actual station, now. It's a funeral. They talk about all the times they had with the people who have died, but aren't too sad, because they know they'll meet again some day.
[verse five] Jimmy finally comes back home, everything has changed. Everyone he knows has died. Now depressed, he drinks himself to death.
[third chorus] Like the second chorus, the third one is more symbolic and is about a funeral or something similar. And, once again, everyone talks about all the times they had with Jimmy, but they aren't too sad, because they know they'll meet again some day.
It's kind of a sad song (what am I saying? It IS a sad song in subject, anyway), but it's very upbeat. It's like Jimmy's friends and the funeral goers. What's happened is sad, but they won't let it get them down, because there's always a bright side.
yeah, its about death, but i dont think its that sad. i mean, even when they're gone you have this feeling you're not saying goodbye forever. "And we sang him a song of times long gone Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again"
Jimmy was a male prostitute. Also, Sally MacLennane is a beer recipe.
@mithgil at first your comment seems highly disrespectful, but then it all makes perfect sense. <br /> <br /> Although, I still can't wait figure out the lyric about the elephant man breaking strong men's necks?
I cant beleive this song/ the pogues arnt very popular this song is amazing i love it all the pogues shit is great to sing along to and get drunk 143 pogues ROLF SAUCE
more like a friend's death to me..just read it carefully and you'll find its meaning..
Sally MacLennan is actually a homebrew whisky.
Sally Maclennane
everything2.com/index.pl
home brew stout, not whisky