Before even hearing the CD, I read the liner notes, and the accompanying promotional material. I became intrigued by the story behind track #13, “Last Letter Home”. A young Marine, Sgt. Andrew Farrar Jr., was a huge fan of the Dropkick Murphys, and especially loved their version of “The Fields of Athenry”. In a letter to his family, Sgt. Farrar had requested this particular version to be played at his funeral – in the event that anything should happen to him. Sadly, he was killed in action on January 28, 2005, in the Fallujah area of Iraq. January 28th was supposed to have been Sgt. Farrar’s 31st birthday. Indeed, the Dropkick Murphys were there at Andrew’s funeral, and played “The Fields of Athenry on the pipes while his casket was brought into the church. The lyrics to “Last Letter Home contains excerpts of Sgt. Farrar’s correspondence with his family.
“…Hey Melissa it’s me don’t be afraid
I’m in good hands I’m gonna be home soon
It’s time to watch the children grow up
I wanna be more than a voice on the phone…”
So, I anticipated a melancholic pensive ballad, and was at first confused when the tempo and feel of the song was much more of an angry anthem. I’ll go as far as to say I felt let down. Not for long though, because after giving “Last Letter Home” a few more listens, it all made sense. The song had to be angry.
With a similar theme, and less anger, is the Murphys rendition of “The Green Fields of France”. Here is the slow bittersweet ballad I was looking for. Written by Eric Bogle of Adelaide, Australia, this song also is known as “No Man’s Land”. The original intent of the song is up for debate, but most view it as ‘anti-war’. It’s a story about “young Willie McBride” a fallen soldier of the First World War. The author has taken rest by the headstone of the 19-year-old Private, and has a one-way conversation with the deceased. The melody is pretty and unassuming, even the lyrics begin peacefully. Shortly, the words sung wonderfully by Al Barr, become a little more direct.
Article comments
1 - Bob A. Booey
That Red Sox song sounds really cool. I'd like to hear it.
I always get the Murphys confused with Flogging Molly. Those damn Irish-American street-punk bands.
There's a band from Chicago called The Tossers that does similar kind of stuff, but less hardcore and more Irish ditty-ish.
There's a Scottish band called The Real McKenzies that plays Scottish punk, complete with bagpipes.
That is all.
2 - John Bil
GreenDay are a bunch of little sissies. My grandma could knock them out.
3 - Mary K. Williams
Bob, soon as I can figure out how to translate my CD into an mp3 file, you'll be in line to get a file.
The song IS great. If you're inclined, it's also on the Fever Pitch DVD.
Flogging Molly is cool too, havn't heard them in a while.
4 - Mary K. Williams
John-
Grandma sounds tough - wonder why she really wants to take out Green Day?
Good thing this post was about the Dropkick Murphys - whew!
5 - Mark Saleski
nice review. looks like this is another cd i must pick up...especially since i don't have 'Tessie' yet.
6 - Chris
Dropkick murphys Rock man. Them and all other irish punkers. Blood or whiskey Bitches.