And the boys of the NYPD choir were singing Galway Bay - an ode to Fairytale of New York.

The Pogues were one of the greatest Irish groups of all time. And, in ‘Fairytale of New York’, they produced a classic that captured the hearts and minds of countless people all over the world. It is widely considered to be the greatest Christmas song of all time.

In the chorus, Shane MacGowan has a standout lyric on which most listeners join in: “…the boys of the NYPD choir were singing Galway Bay…”. While people all over the world belt out that line, very few realise there has never been an NYPD choir, so none have ever sang Galway Bay…

Until now.

As champions of Irish emigrants the world over, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum wanted to bring this famed line to life, and celebrate the song ‘Galway Bay’, another timeless Irish classic, penned by Irish emigrant, Arthur Colahan, as a tribute to his homeland.

Last month, we assembled a handful of retired NYPD officers, who together with a local amateur choir, lent their voices to the beloved ‘Galway Bay’ in a Brooklyn recording studio.

The result, we hope you’ll agree is a breathtaking rendition of ‘Galway Bay’, which will be shared with and reach the Irish around the world, wherever they might be spending Christmas this year.

Shane MacGowan, RIP.

[torsloke]

This was just what I needed after hearing the sad news this morning. May Shane have rested in heaven an hour before the devil knew he was dead.

[thescoobymike]

I always thought the “NYPD choir” referred to all the lads who got locked up on Christmas

[michaeluys]

It was a pleasure to help put this together and direct the video. Shout out to the NYPD officers who were game, The Crickets, Bridge Studio, The Public House, and EPIC.

[michaelconnor]

My great-great grandmother, Julia Mullen, was born in Galway on Christmas Day 1850

[walkabout]

In the heart of the city, where the lights gleam bright,
A tale unfolds each Christmas night,
The Pogues once sang, in an Irish sway,
A Fairytale of New York, in a timeless play.

"And the boys of the NYPD choir were singing, "
A lyric embraced, the joy it was bringing,
In Galway Bay's echo, a tribute profound,
A melody spun, a connection unbound.

Shane MacGowan's voice, now a whispered song,
In memory, he lingers, forever strong,
Through cobblestone streets and city lights aglow,
A legend lives on in the falling snow.

From the emerald isle to the streets of New York,
A bridge of music, a love to uncork,
In every chorus, in every refrain,
A spirit dances, unbridled, unchained.

In a Brooklyn studio, a choir takes flight,
Retired officers, hearts alight,
They sing of Galway Bay, a distant shore,
An homage to Irish roots, forevermore.

EPIC Museum's vision, a gift to share,
A rendition of Galway Bay, rising in the air,
For the Irish, scattered, a global embrace,
A Christmas connection, transcending time and space.

Shane MacGowan, rest in peace, your legacy lives,
In the lyrics sung, the joy it gives,
Fairytale of New York, an anthem so grand,
Echoing through the years, across the land.

[berniekelly]

The NYP got there in the end. Beautiful rendition ☘️

[KeshHarp]

Heaven has the best craic now. Shane and Kirsty singing together again.. and so close to his birthday. God rest ye gentle, Shane.... but we know ye won't be sitting still for long. 💔🥃. Nollaig Shone to all!!!

[maidsua]

Why does this song touch me so much that I cry? I'm fucking Norwegian!

[brigittebouman-mengering]

Thank you, are great for the remembering of Shane...❤❤❤❤❤

[Ignore]

Travelling to Ireland in 2 days 😉 …is there anyone listening this masterpiece today? 🙌

My Dad sang this and now I do. This brought tears. 🥺

[Glenfern]

Thank you Irish Immigration Museum. I'm an Irish Immigrant living in Australia and the NYPD choir was the most beautiful rendition I've heard in a long time. Certainly brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks again. God Bless you all at NYPD and Happy Christmas 🇮🇪💚🎅❤🇦🇺🤶🦘

[wewhofly]

Shane closed his eyes for the last time before he reached another Christmas. I'm sure he never realised how iconic his song would become when he and The Pogues first sang it. The Fairytale (an NYPD Choir) came through. Even the imagery reminds me of that other Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life. Did he get a chance to see this, I wonder?

[stephenlee]

My great grandfather was Lt. John Dugan NYPD around 1900

[tazzieflats]

❤ to all that read this...and listen to this beautiful powerful song and amazing song by these man!!! In memory of SHANE 💚🕊🍀 CHEERS from Holland....

[josephcavanagh]

Well done boys, what a tribute to one of our own, I am sobbing as I post this, unbelievable!

[Einstein]

My lovely dad would sing this to me. I love going to Ireland 🇮🇪 nicest people in the 🌎 ❤❤❤❤❤

[rber]

Well done, wished they did all the lyrics: If you ever go across the sea to Ireland
Then maybe at the closing of your day
You will sit and watch the moon rise over Claddagh
And see the sun go down on Galway Bay
Just to hear again the ripple of the trout stream
The women in the meadows making hay
And to sit beside a turf fire in the cabin
And watch the barefoot gossoons at their play
left out ---
For the breezes blowing over the seas from Ireland
Are perfumed by the heather as they blow
And the women in the uplands diggin' prates
Speak a language that the strangers do not know
For the strangers came and tried to teach us their way
They scorned us just for being what we are
But they might as well go chasing after moonbeams
Or light a penny candle from a star --
And if there is going to be a life hereafter

And faith I am sure there's going to be
I will ask my God to let me make my heaven
In that dear land across the Irish sea

[lavonnehensley]

My mother would sing Galway Bay. She passed in 2008, She was a Gaston, family was originally from France.😢🥺

[leximojito]

How beautiful is this! listening and watching form Kilkenny Ireland. RIP the great and unmatchable Shane MacGowan.