"The Rare Old Times" is a song composed by Pete St. John in the 1970s for the Dublin City Ramblers.
In the song the narrator (named Sean Dempsey), who comes from Pimlico, a working-class neighbourhood in the Dublin Liberties, recalls his upbringing. He laments the changes that have occurred in the city since his youth, mentioning the loss of Nelson's Pillar, the Metropole ballroom, the "Royal" (Theatre Royal). He dislikes the "new glass cages", the modern office blocks and flats being erected along the quays, and says farewell to Anna Liffey (the River Liffey).
The song was first recorded by the Dublin City Ramblers. It has since been by recorded by dozens of artists such as The Dubliners, the Irish Tenors, The High Kings and Flogging Molly. It was a number 1 hit in Ireland in 1978 for Danny Doyle.
Lyrics
Raised on songs and stories, heroes of re-known. The passing tales and glories that once was Dublin town. The hallowed halls and houses, the haunting childrens' rhymes. That once was part of Dublin in the rare ould times.
Ring a ring a rosie, as the lights declines. I remember Dublin city in the rare ould times.
Oh me name it is Sean Demspey, as Dublin as could be. Born hard and late in Pimlico, in a house that ceased to be. By trade I was a cooper, lost out to redundancy. Like my house that fell to progress, my trade's a memory.
And I courted Peggy Dignan, as pretty as you please. A rogue and a child of Mary, from the rebel liberties. I lost her to a student chap with skin as black as coal. When he took her off to Birmingham, she took away my soul.
Ring a ring a rosie, as the lights declines. I remember Dublin city in the rare ould times.
Oh the years have made me bitter, the gargle dims me brain. 'Cause Dublin keeps on changing and nothing seems the same. The Pillar and the Met have gone, the Royal long since pulled down. As the great unyielding concrete makes a city of my town.
Ring a ring a rosie, as the lights declines. I remember Dublin city in the rare ould times.
Fare thee well sweet Anna Liffey, I can no longer stay. And watch the new glass cages, that spring up along the quay. My mind's too full of memories, too old to hear new chimes. I'm a part of what was Dublin in the rare ould times.
Ring a ring a rosie, as the lights declines. I remember Dublin city in the rare ould times.
Ring a ring a rosie, as the lights declines. I remember Dublin city in the rare ould times.
