Thin Lizzy Song F.A.Q. Site - Vagabonds on the Western World

(Produced by Nick Tauber and Philip Lynott)

Phillip Lynott (Bass/Lead Vocals)

Brian Downey (Drums)

Eric Bell (Guitar)

1.Mama Nature Said (4:52)

A song about pollution and the world's deteriorating environment.

2.The Hero and the Madman (6:08)

The Narration at the beginning of the song is done by then old friend of the band DJ Kid Jenson.

(Submitted by Phil Osborne)

"It was indeed David "Kid" Jensen on the 'Hero and the Madman' and he was the same DJ who championed Lizzy from their first album onwards on Radio Luxembourg. He also made "Shades Of A Blue Orphanage" his record of the week and played a track off it every night !
I think Phil and Lizzy were returning the favour when they asked him to do the spoken intro on "Hero" The band also went out to Luxembourg and stayed with Kid round about that time.
The Kid stayed a fan and I don't think it is any coincidence that Lizzy appeared on "Top Of The Pops" more often when he was due to present the show.
Also Phil's last TV appearance on "Razzamatazz Christmas Special" presented by Kid was filmed during a "musicians union" strike and they were having trouble getting artists to appear; I think Phil was doing Kid a favor, as Phil Lynott solo sadly was hardly a top act. I was transferring radio interviews from the "Renegade" promotion push to CD recently as well as one with Kid Jensen where they joke about "Hero..."

(L to R) Eric Bell, DJ Kid Jenson, Philip Lynott and Brian Downey.

(An excerpt from an article clipping in which I don't know the date / publication. I was told it is probably from an early 1974 from a Christmas / New Years fortnight issue because it mentions 'The Rocker' single being released in Christmas of 1973. By the look of the typeface the magazine was probably 'Record Mirror' or 'Disc'. Thanks to Phil Osborne who gave me the article & info.)

(Phil says): " 'The Hero and the Madman' which Kid Jensen (Radio Luxemburg) helped us out on. He takes the part of the Hero and I play the Madman."

(Excerpt from Club International from February, 1974)

" 'The Hero and the Madman' is probably the most enigmatic piece Lizzy have ever produced. It's less immediately accessible than the rest of the album: the intent behind it is more complex than anywhere else. It'll probably never be as well liked as some of the other tracks, but repeated listenings will reveal it to be possibly the most rewarding song the band have produced and it indicates a sophistication of approach which future albums may well expand, which is okay by me as long they are able to maintain the essential drive and warmth as they do here. One of the most pleasing aspects of Lizzy's music, both 'live' and on album is their directness. And it's quality which stands out in this age of over production and ultra-sophistication."

3. Slow Blues (5:14)

(Excerpt from Club International from February, 1974)

" 'Slow Blues' has a real, almost traditional ache to it and the twice repeated line, 'You don't know how much I'm missing, missing you' is pumped out with such a longing that no one could doubt the sentiment expressed!"

4. The Rocker (5:12)

(Excerpt from an article that appeared in New Musical Express, December 17th, 1977, by Chalkie Davies)

"...Ted Carroll, himself a Dubliner and Thin Lizzy's first manager. In fact, it was Carroll who first brought Lizzy to London way back in the dawn of the '70's. They gave Ted a plug in their Decca single 'The Rocker.' - remember that line 'I buy my records at the Rock On stall' - so who says you have to be an elephant not to forget?"

"It looks as though one of the singles that got passed in the great Christmas rush was Thin Lizzy's 'The Rocker', a zestful ode to people who like rock music."

"Lizzy's Phil Lynott feels that in more normal times the record would have been a hit, so he's not too upset about it's lack of success."

"The song which was penned by Phil, was written from personal experience, "Our manager sells Rock and roll records on Portobello Road. Every Saturday we go along and see these Rocker guys coming in to buy them. So I thought it would be a good idea to write a song about that type of character."

"It's one of my favourite tracks on our new album..."

(Excerpt from Club International from February, 1974)

" 'The Rocker' gives Eric Bell an opportunity to show why he is regarded as such a fine guitarist..."

" 'The Rocker' as well as being a great piece of Rock and Roll, is also a neat put on. It is (believe it or not!) about a rocker, and gives an authentic taste of the macho attitude which such dynamic young men on their steel steeds used to exhibit in the mid-sixties, before the advent of Hell's angels, who of course, continue the same tradition. A piece of the middle section goes as follows:"

"I said hey baby, meet me I'm a tough guy / I got my motorcycle outside you wanna try / she just rolled them big eyes and said, 'Id do anything for you, cause you're a Rocker!' "

5. Vagabond On the Western World (4:44)

(This excerpt is from an article from Melody Maker called "Irelands' Own" which appeared in 5-01-77)

"...the title track of 'Vagabond on the Western World' where Lynott admits that the tale of the Vagabond was a rip off from Tir Na Nog (Land of the Young) and every other mythological Irish story. The song was to describe the charm that Ireland possesses, where people will pay you a compliment even if you are their worst enemy."
"On the same song Lynott sings the 'tura lura loo's' that are usually associated with Irish
folk songs."
"I remember that at that time I'd been trying more and more to sing with an Irish accent. I was really startin' to get hung up singin' lyrics in an Irish accent, but I could get the Irish with that 'tura lura' line.

(The following submitted by Alan Helfner, who went through a bunch of traditional Irish music records and found it pretty amazing how many pieces of these songs he pored over landed up in some way, shape or form in Thin Lizzy songs)

"Vagabond of the Western World" features the "tura-lura" lilting that appears in songs like "The Spanish Lady" and "Courting In The Kitchen", among many, many others.

(Phil says): "I'm very Irish influenced in my writing. The title track of the album is a rip-off of an Irish play called 'Playboy of the Western World'. I've also written a song called 'Eire' on the first album."

"I'm into writing modern Irish music rather than traditional Irish Music, which has been rocked up. I much prefer to write up-to-date songs, so that in 100 years people can say, "In 1973 Irish people were playing this type of music."

6. Little Girl In Bloom (5:12)

(Phil says): "Another track I like is 'Little Girl in Bloom'. It's written about a girl I know who became pregnant and was worried about telling her father. My advice in the song was: 'don't get paranoid about it, just tell him."

(Excerpt from Club International from February, 1974)

" 'Little Girl in Bloom', which many people hold to be the best track on the album, although personally I prefer one or two others, is sensitively written and performed. It's about a pregnant girl, and although the track drives along with the strongly masculine feel which is Lizzy's trademark, it yet reveals an unexpectedly tender insight into the experience of impending motherhood."

"Little Girl in bloom, She carries a secret / A child she carries in her womb / She feels something sacred / Gonna be a mammy soon."

"It feels a traditional, almost Negro spiritual lilt and imagery and a 'pop' rhythm. The title itself is a piece of poetry, however simple, all on it's own."

7. Gonna Creep Up On You (3:27)

(Excerpt from Club International from February, 1974)

" 'Gonna Creep Up On You' has a nice leary 'yer' instead of 'you' at the end of each chorus line - it drips salivating lust and it's a good example of Phil Lynott's sense of lyrical rhythm and alteration:"

"You're sly, you're slick, you're outstanding."

8. A Song For While I'm Away (5:10)

(Excerpt from Record and Radio Review magazine, 1973)

"...A Song For While I'm Away which Phil says is 'an old fashioned love song.It's the sort of song that could have been sung before queers became popular' he says smiling. ' A feller never turned to his friend and said "I love You" , so I tried to write a song that took care of that."

(Phil says): "Another favourite song of mine is 'A Song For While I'm Away' because it's the first love song I've written that I don't get embarrased about."

9.Whiskey in the Jar (5:44) (UK #6, Feb 24, 1973)

A rock and roll interpretation of a traditional Irish song.

(Excerpt from Club International from February, 1974)

"For those who know them chiefly for their hit 'Whiskey in the Jar' be warned. 'Whiskey' isn't representative of their work, although it does serve to indicate their feeling for their cultural background, and their ability to retain the essence of a more traditional piece."

"The title track itself although penned by Phil, is in tact, lyrically based on a couple of Irish myths, and tells the story of a Celtic (or Irish) vagabond. It is naturally a very romantic story, and one with which Phil himself claims to identify. It explains, he says why they are such good lovers! It's a very punchy number, which still manages to remain tuneful and to weave interesting variations around basic riffs."

(Submitted by Phil Birch)

Whiskey in the Jar was never an album track - just a single. It has only appeared on compilations and 'best offs" (well in the UK at least!)

(Submitted by Des Flynn)

here's a couple of quotes about Whisky in the Jar...

"We got a telegram from London, saying congratulations, Whisky in the Jar is no. 23 in the English charts, and we thought it was a Joke!" - Eric Bell, TL:Behind the Music

"All of a sudden everyone did become interested in what we played and what we wore and what we said and what we did, and I could see Philip had a taste of the fame and fortune with Whisky in the Jar, and he wanted more, wanted it like there was no tomorrow..." - - Eric Bell, TL:Behind the Music

(The following submitted by Alan Helfner, who went through a bunch of traditional Irish music records and found it pretty amazing how many pieces of these songs he pored over landed up in some way, shape or form in Thin Lizzy songs)

Of course, everyone knows the cover of "Whiskey In The Jar", the lyrics being modified a bit to show Captain Farrell getting his just desserts :-> Here goes the lyrics as done by the traditional musicians:

As I was going over the far-famed Kerry Mountains
I met with Captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I first produced my pistol and then produced my rapier
Saying "Stand and deliver, for you are a bold deceiver"

(Everyone knows the chorus by now, I assume...)

I counted out his money and it made a pretty penny
I put it in my pocket and I brought it home to Jenny
She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me
But the devil take the women, for they never can be easy

(Chorus)

I went up to my chamber, all for to take a slumber
I dreamt of gold and jewels ah but sure it was no wonder
For Jenny took me charges and she filled them up with water
Then sent for Captain Farrell to make ready for the slaughter

(Chorus)

It was early in the morning, before I rose to travel
Up comes a band of footmen, and likewise, Captain Farrell
I first produced my pistol, for she'd thrown away me rapier
But I couldn't shoot the water, so a prisoner I was taken

(Chorus)

And if anyone can aid me, it's me brother in the army
If I can find his station, in Cork or in Killarney
And if he'll go with me, we'll go roaming in Kilkenny
And I'm sure he'll treat me better than my only sporting Jenny

(Next verse is often omitted since it kinda clashes with the song's storyline, but not always...who knows, it might've been the first verse written for the song.)

There's some taking delight in the carriages a-rolling
And others take delight in the hurley and the bowling
But me, I take delight in the juices of the barley
And a-courting pretty maidens in the morning bright and early...

Sorry, got a bit carried away...hope this is OK though, and a bit interesting too. :)

(Here is an en excerpt from a tape of a Swedish Fan Club interview with Phil from 7/2/81)

(Q:) It’d be nice to hear ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ tonight.

(Phil:) It’d be nice to play it too (jokingly)....Only the chosen few are called to hear that number! No, the thing is Snowy had an idea, right, he only heard it when we were in Ireland, and then Scott doesn’t like playing it because it’s Eric Bell, you know., it’s like, you know, I can sing it, Brian can play the beat but that guitar, it’s just Eric Bell, you know what I mean. ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ is completely Scott Gorham, there’s no other guitarist who can play that solo, except Scott, you know.

(An excerpt from a clipped article, I can't say which publication it was from but the date says Febuary 10, 1973)

"Thin Lizzy are a very happy band at the moment, even though they are still trying to grasp the fact that they are a hit making group."

(Phil says:) "It's come as a complete shock to find that we're in the charts. From being nothing to something is a transformation that takes time to accept, because you're then in a position to make all your dreams come true", says Philip Lynott, bass player with Thin Lizzy."

'Whiskey in the Jar', is currently climbing the MM charts. The success is grand, but Lizzy have some apprehensions about what it will do to them as three musicians. Lead guitarist Eric Bell explains, "We try and have as wider spectrum of music and songs in our repertoire as is possible. But people might think We just play 'Whiskey in the Jar' type of songs and that's just not so. Our music has all kinds of influences from solid rock to traditional Irish music."

(An excerpt from a clipped article, I can't say which publication it was from but the date says January, 1973)

"It was the Irishman in him that made him decide to take the extremely unlikely combination of the old Irish Folk songs, 'Whiskey in the Jar' and 'Brennan on the Moor' , jam them up through a sharp PA system and churn them out as a record that took them into the charts."

"It's something we started doing one day when we were bored. We all know folk songs so it was natural. It's just this poor Guy who's drunk and kills somebody. He's telling all about the demon drink."

"Phil talks about his Bass as if it were a passport to another world. (Phil says)"We don't need Bass on 'Whiskey in the Jar". Hell, I could have written a Bass line but the song didn't need it. So I'm not there with it. But I sing a bit - I was a vocalist from 14 before I took up Bass with Thin Lizzy (he says Thin like T'in)."

"I was taught Bass by Brush; I Idolized the Guy. He runs a group in Dublin and his real name is Brendan Shiels but he'd get embarrassed about that. He taught me the Bass."

10. Black Boys on the Corner (3:21)

11. Randolph's Tango (3:40)

12. Broken Dreams (4:26)

Eric Bell , the first Thin Lizzy Guitarist.