The Pogues - Dirty old town, live 2012

I met my love by the gas works wall
Dreamed a dream by the old canal
I Kissed my girl by the factory wall
Dirty old town
Dirty old town

Clouds a drifting across the moon
Cats a prowling on their beat
Spring's a girl in the street at night
Dirty old town
Dirty old town

Heard a siren from the docks
Saw a train set the night on fire
Smelled the spring on the smoky wind
Dirty old town
Dirty old town

I'm going to make me a good sharp axe
Shining steel tempered in the fire
Will chop you down like an old dead tree
Dirty old town
Dirty old town

I met my love by the gas works wall
Dreamed a dream by the old canal
Kissed a girl by the factory wall
Dirty old town
Dirty old town
Dirty old town
Dirty old town

[philipgage]

I returned from my first trip in the Merchant Navy as a Marine Engineer Officer Cadet and paid off in my home port of Hebburn. After 4 months away at sea I hoped that the girl I loved wouldn't have fallen out of love with me while I was away. I had sent a telegram telling her what time the ship would dock. I walked towards the white Lead pub and the foul smell of the Lennox chemical factory. I saw a familiar figure walking towards me. I dropped my suitcases and ran to meet her. That kiss was something I'll never forget. Christine passed away last year, 2 months after our 40th wedding anniversary. I love her so much and will only stop when my mind and body follow hers.

[JoaoGMiranda]

Shane MacGowan just died today... I love this song and this performance in particular, it is raw and authentic. That sentence in the beggining "This is called dirty old town" chills me everytime. Rest in peace poet of the people - you'll be missed!

[moreforestthanaflorist]

Call him a alcoholic call him wasted talent I call him a incredible human being with a talent RIP IN PARADISE ❤

[andreasschulze]

It's a memory I'll never forget, a Pogues concert in Germany.
Shane was stoned out of his mind, he stumbled on stage, lit a cigarette, drank a whiskey. Then he had to hold on to the microphone stand.
The music started to play.Shane celebrated all his musical skills. The moment is deeply etched in my mind. An incredible performance.
That was over 30 years ago.
I love and adore the Pogues.

[WhuDB]

Shane Macgowan is still alive at June 4th, 2021. At this point nothing can beat this man

EDIT: unfortunately Shane MacGowan died today aged 65, may he rest in peace.

[themancunian]

R.I.P. Shane - Classic Pogues song - Dirty Old Town 😊👍

[tommygunn]

Legend never will be forgotten, this song will be heard for hundreds of years to come. RIP SHANE 😪

[yamqui]

This song is human kind heritage. It is directly linked to our souls. Thanks for that masterpiece Shane. Your one of a kind.

[laurencekavanagh]

You were one of our own we love you Shane ❤🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪😊

[jmichael]

Mad to think this was only 10 years ago and Shane is completely on point! What a difference a few years makes. The whole band is so underrated, after all they went through the music is absolutely out of this world. Pure fucking talent 🇬🇧 🇮🇪

[skaazy]

I'm portuguese and I thank you for this amazing hymn. Kind of a therapy for a fucked up week. RIP Shane.

[michajankowski]

Shane, byłeś jedyny i niepowtarzalny. Poeta, chuligan, Irlandczyk… Mistrz.

[DickCarlsson]

No cellphones, just singing and dancing, a real R.I.P Shane!!!!

[kpt.ceckowitz]

R.I.P to the legend.. he will be missed by us all.. he was a light in a gloomy life :(

[K.Straughan]

Had an Irish friend who I used to work with many moons ago in the mid eighties, he said you've got to come and see this band at Nottingham Rock City The Pogues. It's still a great memory, the love and friendship in the crowd was amazing great gig. Farewell Shane Legend.

[tetsuo]

RIP Mr.McGowan! May you flow with rivers of whiskey to heaven. We lost a poet🥃

[MichaelG]

It seems like everything Shane sang was raw and authentic. I had forgotten just how much I love The Pogues. Thank you Shane for 30 years of helping me get thru life.

[Delorto]

Unvergesslich! Musik für die Ewigkeit! Ruhe in Frieden!!

[liverpoolsonline]

Rest in peace Shane McGowan, musical genius ❤️

[benmcgaw]

This has been on repeat all day in memory for this absolute legend!💙