Dirty Old Town chords
by The Pogues- Dirty Old Town was written by Ewan MacColl in 1949. This version features The Pogues - a Celtic punk band originating from London, England.
- Key Signatures: D Major (Intro), G Major (Verses), C Major (Instr)
- Time Signature: 4/4 time
- Tempo: 123 bpm (♩)
- Chords: D, G, C, Em, Am, F, Dm
Chart Legend
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open X: Don't play string B: Bass Note
Dirty Old Town
Starting Key is highlighted (The rest will follow on) - Transpose to any other starting key D G D Em D
Intro: |𝄽𝅘𝅥𝅘𝅥𝅘𝅥| | 𝄎 | 𝄎 | 𝄎 | | 𝄎 | | 𝄎 | | 𝄎 | |
(harmonica) (I met my)
G
1. I met my love by the gas works wall
C G
Dreamed the dream by the old ca-nal
G
I kissed my girl by the fact-’ry wall
D Em
Dir-ty old town Dir-ty old town
G
2. Clouds are drift-ing a-cross the moon
C G
Cats are prow-ling on their beat
G
Spring's a girl round the street at night
D Em
Dir-ty old town Dir-ty old town | (key change - violin) |
C F C
Instr: | | 𝄎 | 𝄎 | 𝄎 | | 𝄎 | | 𝄎 |
C Dm Am
| | 𝄎 | 𝄎 | 𝄎 | | 𝄎 | | 𝄎 |
(I heard a...)
G
3. I heard a si-ren from the docks
C G
Saw a train set the night on fire
G
I smelled the spring on the smok-ey wind
D Em
Dir-ty old town Dir-ty old town
G
4. I'm gon-na make me a big sharp axe
C G
Shin-ing steel temp-ered in the fire
G
I’ll chop you down like an old dead tree
D Em
Dir-ty old town Dir-ty old town
G
5. I met my love by the gas works wall
C G
Dreamed a dream by the old ca-nal
G
I kissed my girl by the fact-’ry wall
D Em
Dir-ty old town Dir-ty old town
D Em
Dir-ty old town Dir-ty old town...
The Pogues
The Pogues were an Irish-British folk punk band known for their distinctive blend of traditional Irish folk music, punk rock, and a unique lyrical style.
- Formation and Early Years: The Pogues were formed in London, England, in 1982 by frontman Shane MacGowan and a group of musicians with Irish and English backgrounds. The band's name "Pogues" is derived from the Irish word "póg mo thóin," which means "kiss my arse."
- Musical Style:
The Pogues were renowned for their fusion of traditional Irish instruments such as the tin whistle, accordion, and banjo with punk rock instrumentation, creating a unique sound known as "folk punk" or "Celtic punk."
Their music was characterized by its raw energy, heartfelt lyrics, and storytelling, often drawing on themes of Irish culture, immigration, love, and social issues.
- Breakthrough and Albums:
The band gained popularity in the mid-1980s with the release of their album "Rum Sodomy & the Lash" (1985), which included tracks like "Dirty Old Town" (featured) and "A Pair of Brown Eyes."
Their most famous song, "Fairytale of New York," featuring Kirsty MacColl, was released in 1987 as part of the album "If I Should Fall from Grace with God."
Other notable albums include "Hell's Ditch" (1990) and "Waiting for Herb" (1993).
- Shane MacGowan:
Shane MacGowan, the band's original lead vocalist and principal songwriter, was known for his distinctive, gravelly singing style and poetic songwriting.
MacGowan left the band in the 1990s but later rejoined for reunion tours and performances.
On the 30th November 2023, Shane MacGowan died from pneumonia following hospital treatment for a serious infection.
- Impact and Legacy:
The Pogues' music has left a significant impact on the Celtic punk genre and inspired numerous bands and artists.
"Fairytale of New York" remains a popular Christmas classic and one of the band's most enduring songs.
The band's albums continue to be celebrated for their influential blend of folk and punk.
- Reunion and Touring:
The Pogues had multiple reunion tours and performances, bringing their music to new generations of fans.
Their live shows were known for their raucous energy and festive atmosphere.
- Discography: The Pogues released several studio albums, live recordings, and compilations throughout their career, contributing to their lasting influence on folk and punk music.
- thepogues.com
