St. Patrick’s Day Rock: ‘Shipping Up To Boston’ With The Dropkick Murphy’s

Every St. Patrick’s Day it’s the same. You might not be Irish and, if you are, you’re not a huge fan of Irish folk music. Not to worry, there are lots of great Irish bands, or bands from traditionally Irish cities, that can still rock your socks off.

Oh, the list of bands doesn’t change much from year to year. You know, classics like U2, Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, The Cranberries and even newer Irish artists like Hoozier.

The trick to finding a great Irish band is that they (a) ARE Irish (b) sound Irish and (c) totally rock without going overboard on the bagpipes.

Well, we think we’ve found the perfect band to toss back eight, nine or even twenty pints to this St. Patrick’s Day. That band is The Dropkick Murphy’s and the perfectly rambunctious “I’m Shipping Up To Boston.”

As a matter of fact, the Dropkick Murhpy’s are known for their raucous St. Patrick’s Day shows every year in Boston, though this year they’re playing two sold out shows at Vicar Street in Dublin. Vicar has been named the best music venue three out of the last five years.

As for The Drop Kick Murphy’s, they formed way back in 1996 and was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label. The band’s final Hellcat release, 2005’s The Warrior’s Code, included the song “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.”

The song was featured in the 2006 Academy Award-winning movie The Departed, and went on to become the band’s only Platinum-selling single to date, and remains one of their best-known songs.

“Shipping Up To Boston”
I’m a sailor peg
And I’ve lost my leg
Climbing up the top sails
I lost my leg!

I’m shipping up to Boston whoa
I’m shipping up to Boston whoa
I’m shipping up to Boston whoa
I’m shipping off…to find my wooden leg

So, if you’re looking for an Irish band to rock out this year, definitely check out the Dropkick Murphy’s website and have a rockin’ St. Patty’s Day!