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The Ghost of Jimmy Rabbitte

by Emma Gee Flowers

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about

Recorded at Flood Plain Studios, Clontarf, Dublin and mixed at Barbaraville Studios, Invergordon, the song imagines the changes to Dublin over 30 years, through the eyes of Roddy Doyle’s brilliant fictional Northside Dubliner, “in 3o years Jimmy’s town has changed and buried his Dublin Soul…”.

I was walking the Dublin Quays a few months ago and looked up at the railway bridge synonymous with the opening scene from The Commitments, and Jimmy Rabbitte, of course, came to mind. I wondered what he would think of 21st century Dublin, and whether he caught the Celtic Tiger?
Progress isn't linear, and I do feel that Dublin has lost a little of its soul. Maybe that is inevitable. What hasn't changed though is the wit and warmth of Dubs- and my love for the place!

lyrics

The Ghost of Jimmy Rabbitte
Haunts the line, he haunts the line
Destination anywhere?
But we can't go back in time.

To a place where all that mattered
Was the words of the songs all rhymed
As the wheels of the green machine
Rattle over Pearse Street.


He had a dream as he stood in line
And signed to collect his dole
But In 30 years
Jimmy's town has changed
And buried his Dublin soul
Oh, Jimmy it was oh so simple then
The only Northside way was up
As the wheels of the green machine rattle over Pearse Street

Chorus
Now the underdogs have had their day
But who would have predicted
That the tail of the tiger
Would sweep away those who were afflicted
By the wane of what they welcomed
Those who became addicted
To living by and dying by the free....market.

Ly le le la ly le ly
Ly le le la ly le ly
Ly le le la ly le ly ly le la ly ...

Now the ghost of Jimmy Rabbitte
He can still put on a show
It'll give ye a wistful memory
Of a time not long ago
And as I walk the Quays I whistle songs
That now not many know.
As the wheels of the green machine rattle over Pearse Street

Ly la la la ley Lalala
Ly Lala ly la ly
If you're wondering where Jimmy is
You have to find his soul
In the wheels of the green machine that rattles over Pearse Street
In the wheels of the green machine that rattles over Pearse Street

credits

released February 1, 2024
All words and music by Emma Gee Flowers
Recorded at Flood Plain Studios Dublin
Mixed at Barbaraville Studios, Invergordon

license

all rights reserved

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about

Emma Gee Flowers image

Emma Gee Flowers UK

My music comes from the heart- one that contains love, doubts, burning principles, anger, and hope.
It's country, blues, Americana, with a smattering of 70s pop. Whatever works to tell the story.
I write because I must. I hope others feel something in my songs too.
I'm originally from Birmingham, England,via Dublin, Ireland, but who knows where my travels will take me. ... more

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