The Pogues
The Pogues
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The Pogues
The Pogues
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The Pogues
The second single by the Pogues to make the UK Top 100, “Sally MacLennane” is a tale of life seen from behind the bar in a lively pub.
Sally MacLennane is either the singer’s sweetheart or a type of stout. The theme of ambiguous love for an character who may be a woman or simply alcohol is repeated...
[Verse 1]
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
[Verse 2]
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 Powers
So sad to see the grieving of the people that he's leaving
And he took the road for God knows in the morning
[Pre-Chorus]
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
[Chorus]
(Far away!)
I'm sad to say I must be on my way
So buy me beer or 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
[Verse 3]
The years passed 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
[Verse 4]
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
[Pre-Chorus]
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
[Chorus]
(Far away!)
I'm sad to say I must be on my way
So buy me beer or 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
[Verse 4]
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
[Pre-Chorus]
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
[Chorus]
(Far away!)
I'm sad to say I must be on my way
So buy me beer or 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
[Refrain]
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally MacLennane
Sally MacLennane was written by Shane MacGowan.
Sally MacLennane was produced by Elvis Costello.
The Pogues released Sally MacLennane on Mon Jun 10 1985.