Monday, September 21, 2009

Antje Duvekot: Dublin Boys

SONG Dublin Boys

WRITTEN BY Antje Duvekot

PERFORMED BY Antje Duvekot

APPEARS ON The Near Demise of the High Wire Dancer (2009); Snapshots (2008); Boys, Flowers, Miles (2005)

"Dublin Boys" is one of those sweet, buoyant songs that we never never have enough of. The premise is simple: Lost at love and homesick, the singer strikes out for greener pastures ("I gotta go where the green is/Don't wanna wait for brown") determined to "pick myself back up."

What makes "Dublin Boys" different is Duvekot's recognition that she'll fall again ("I'm gonna get back up on my horse 'til I go down") and that whatever might happen isn't entirely in her control. Hence, the telling verse
I know that things gotta change, it's what they always do
Oh, but change has never been known to wait for you
so reminiscent of John Lennon's "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." (Complete lyrics to "Beautiful Boy" here.)

But while Lennon wrote from the wry, somewhat resigned perspective of early middle age, Duvekot still has youth on her side: Perhaps that makes the thought of getting back on the horse repeatedly less daunting and more of an adventure. In any case, "Dublin Boys" serves as a wonderful reminder of the gentle bravado of youth, wherein a city with its houses burning down can still be wonderful and wherein the comforts of home are reviving enough to set one's path to the next "sweet city."

LYRICS
Sweet city of Dublin, I am heading out
'Cause all the houses on your streets are burning down
Oh, but not to worry, cause I will be okay
Yes, I will pick myself back up another day
But I am dirty from the traveling
And miss my family

So, goodbye Dublin boys, farewell
I gave you my best shot
But you could never tell
I'm gonna pack my suitcase
And sing to myself
Goodbye

I know that things gotta change, it's what they always do
Oh, but change has never been known to wait for you
I'm gonna go where the green is
Don't wanna wait for brown
I'm gonna get back on my horse 'til I go down
And you're more beautiful than ever
And it just goes to show

So, goodbye Dublin boys, farewell
I gave you my best shot
But you could never tell
I'm gonna pack my suitcase
And sing to myself

So, goodbye Dublin boys, farewell
I gave you my best shot
But you could never tell
I'm gonna pack my suitcase
And sing to myself
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

So, goodbye Dublin boys, farewell
I gave you my best shot
But you could never tell
I'm gonna pack my suitcase
And sing to myself
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

3 comments:

  1. A sweet song with some interesting stuff musically--thanks for bringing this artist to my attention!

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  2. She's talented, all right. The Near Demise of the High Wire Dancer is one of my favorite releases this year. It's been on my rotation for months.

    I really like the way Antje uses the letter "b" as a sort of triumphal alliteration in the chorus: "GoodBye DuBlin Boys." The 'farewell" almost drops off the table after this, like a big league curve ball She returns to the "b" in "Best shot" then just about throws away the next line, too. It sets up the "sing to myself" sentiment beautifully, which to me is all about believing in her talent and art no matter what.

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  3. Such a talented artist and a lovely song. Thanks for posting, cher, and for your visits and for your kind comments! Cheers!

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