Sing me a song Daddy

Last Tuesday I was driving down to Santa Cruz on a work errand. My phone rang and I heard the words, "Your son has a request." Okay. She put Ewan on and he said, "Sing Dirty Old Town Daddy."

Dirty Old Town is a song I sing to him when I put him to bed at night or for a nap. It's a Pogues song, written by Shane McGowan. It is a sweet mix of melancholy and happy.

I actually had trouble singing it since I got a bit misty and choked up. It was the highlight of my week.


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 are drifting
across the moon
cats are prowling
on their beats
spring's a girl
on the streets at night

dirty old town
dirty old town

I heard a siren
from the docks
saw a train
set the night on fire
I smelled the spring
on the smoky wind

dirty old town
dirty old town

I'm gonna make
me a big sharp ax
shinning steel
tempered in the fire
I'll 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
I kissed my girl
by the factory wall


I'm going to have to record that one so Ewan can listen to it at his Mom's house. I also sing Lullaby of London for him most nights, but that's for a different post.