Sarah Jarosz — Shankill Butchers
Album: Song Up In Her HeadAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 701
Length: 4:17
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The shankill butchers ride tonight
You better shut your windows tight
They're sharpening their cleavers and their knives
And taking all their whiskey by the pint
'Cause everybody knows
If you don't mind your mother's words
A wicked wind will blow
Your ribbons from your curls
Everybody moan, everybody shake
The shankill butchers wanna catch you
Awake
They used to be just like me and you
They used to be sweet little boys
But something went horribly askew
Now killing is their only source of joy
'cause everybody knows...
[Repeat:]
The shankill butchers on the rise
They're waiting till the dead of night
They're picking at their fingers with their knives
And wiping off their cleavers on their thighs
'Cause everybody knows...
[Repeat:]
The shankill butchers wanna catch you
The shankill butchers wanna cut you
The shankill butchers wanna catch you
Awake
Awake
Awake
Awake
You better shut your windows tight
They're sharpening their cleavers and their knives
And taking all their whiskey by the pint
'Cause everybody knows
If you don't mind your mother's words
A wicked wind will blow
Your ribbons from your curls
Everybody moan, everybody shake
The shankill butchers wanna catch you
Awake
They used to be just like me and you
They used to be sweet little boys
But something went horribly askew
Now killing is their only source of joy
'cause everybody knows...
[Repeat:]
The shankill butchers on the rise
They're waiting till the dead of night
They're picking at their fingers with their knives
And wiping off their cleavers on their thighs
'Cause everybody knows...
[Repeat:]
The shankill butchers wanna catch you
The shankill butchers wanna cut you
The shankill butchers wanna catch you
Awake
Awake
Awake
Awake
Comments (43)add comment
Another hidden gem from radio paradise
bruceandjenna wrote:
Kinda brought to mind Regina Spektor
Beautiful voice and arrangement.
Each time she sang, "Everybody knows," I thought of Leonard Cohen.. But she's ain't him.
Each time she sang, "Everybody knows," I thought of Leonard Cohen.. But she's ain't him.
Kinda brought to mind Regina Spektor
Beautiful voice and arrangement.
Each time she sang, "Everybody knows," I thought of Leonard Cohen.. But she's ain't him.
Each time she sang, "Everybody knows," I thought of Leonard Cohen.. But she's ain't him.
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
Bump.
"The Shankill Butchers is the name given to a loyalist gang, many of whom were members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). The gang conducted paramilitary activities in Belfast, Northern Ireland during the 1970s. It was most notorious for its late-night abduction, torture and murder (by throat slashing) of random Catholic civilians. The Shankill Butchers killed at least 30 people (including a significant number of Protestants) in sectarian attacks, paramilitary feuds, personal grudges and bombing raids. Despite extensive police resources being channelled towards the capture of those responsible, a wall of silence, created by a mixture of fear and respect in the Shankill community, provided few leads that could be followed.
According to Conor Cruise O'Brien, the Butchers, led by Lenny Murphy, brought a new, frightening level of paramilitary violence to a country already hardened by death and destruction.<1> While the majority of the gang were eventually caught and received the longest combined prison sentences in British legal history, Murphy and his two chief lieutenants escaped prosecution. He was later killed in November 1982 by the Provisional IRA, likely acting with loyalist paramilitaries who perceived him as a threat."
Wow.
According to Conor Cruise O'Brien, the Butchers, led by Lenny Murphy, brought a new, frightening level of paramilitary violence to a country already hardened by death and destruction.<1> While the majority of the gang were eventually caught and received the longest combined prison sentences in British legal history, Murphy and his two chief lieutenants escaped prosecution. He was later killed in November 1982 by the Provisional IRA, likely acting with loyalist paramilitaries who perceived him as a threat."
Wow.
Bump.
jazong wrote:
Every bit as good? The Decemberist's "version" is the original, is it not?
Colin Meloy is a fantastic writer, and his (The Decembrists) version is every bit as good. It may be even more haunting than this version. I'd love to hear it on RP once in a while.
Every bit as good? The Decemberist's "version" is the original, is it not?
Colin Meloy is a fantastic writer, and his (The Decembrists) version is every bit as good. It may be even more haunting than this version. I'd love to hear it on RP once in a while.
said it before - and you know I'll say it again (annoying I know).....nice Wimberley, TX girl.
mandolin wrote:
Yes—playful and sinister at the same time.
...that syncopated mandolin and toy piano sounds very cool - easy seven with potential for an eight...
Yes—playful and sinister at the same time.
Ron Baker
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kingsnake/
Photo by Ron Baker, taken on April 22, 2006
All rights reservedNot a bad cover.
robh wrote:
That is the mark of a truly good song, that it makes you think and gives you the willies. 8 from the spooked Nottingham jury.
I think the history of the Shankhill butchers is something that is better consigned to history.The tune is bleak
After saying that:
It unnerved me
It made me think
It made me google the lyrics and then comment
Bugger...it must have had something as I want to hear it again!
After saying that:
It unnerved me
It made me think
It made me google the lyrics and then comment
Bugger...it must have had something as I want to hear it again!
That is the mark of a truly good song, that it makes you think and gives you the willies. 8 from the spooked Nottingham jury.
to the so dusty and dreary nay sayer - drink less coffee. ..smell more roses.
easy 9 for me.
easy 9 for me.
This is not inspiring me on a dreary Monday morning. Sorry.
10s are only earned...
truth hurts if your guilty
truth hurts if your guiltyInteresting that the original is not in the library.
The Shankill butchers ride tonight,
You better shut your windows tight.
They're sharpening their cleavers and their knives,
And taking all their whiskey by the pint.
'Cause everybody knows,
If you don't mind your mother's words,
A wicked wind will blow your ribbons from your curls.
Everybody moan,
Everybody shake,
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you,
Awake.
They used to be just like me and you,
They used to be sweet little boys.
But something went horribly askew,
Now killing is their only source of joy.
'Cause everybody knows...
If you don't mind your mother's words,
A wicked wind will blow your ribbons from your curls.
Everybody moan,
Everybody shake,
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you,
Awake.
The Shankill butchers on the rise,
They're waiting till the dead of night.
They're picking at their fingers with their knives,
And wiping off their cleavers on their thighs.
'Cause everybody knows...
If you don't mind your mother's words,
A wicked wind will blow your ribbons from your curls.
Everybody moan,
Everybody shake,
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you,
The Shankill butchers wanna cut you,
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you,
Awake.
Awake.
Awake.
Awake.
The Shankill butchers ride tonight,
You better shut your windows tight.
They're sharpening their cleavers and their knives,
And taking all their whiskey by the pint.
'Cause everybody knows,
If you don't mind your mother's words,
A wicked wind will blow your ribbons from your curls.
Everybody moan,
Everybody shake,
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you,
Awake.
They used to be just like me and you,
They used to be sweet little boys.
But something went horribly askew,
Now killing is their only source of joy.
'Cause everybody knows...
If you don't mind your mother's words,
A wicked wind will blow your ribbons from your curls.
Everybody moan,
Everybody shake,
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you,
Awake.
The Shankill butchers on the rise,
They're waiting till the dead of night.
They're picking at their fingers with their knives,
And wiping off their cleavers on their thighs.
'Cause everybody knows...
If you don't mind your mother's words,
A wicked wind will blow your ribbons from your curls.
Everybody moan,
Everybody shake,
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you,
The Shankill butchers wanna cut you,
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you,
Awake.
Awake.
Awake.
Awake.
I think the history of the Shankhill butchers is something that is better consigned to history.The tune is bleak
After saying that:
It unnerved me
It made me think
It made me google the lyrics and then comment
Bugger...it must have had something as I want to hear it again!
After saying that:
It unnerved me
It made me think
It made me google the lyrics and then comment
Bugger...it must have had something as I want to hear it again!
This is a very good cover!
Goth cabaret?
apd wrote:
One word, emphasis on the first syllable. shANkil. Rhymes with ankle.
Have to say, this song bugs me. Perhaps it's too close to the bone, but the contrast between the sweetness of arrangement and voice, and the subject matter, just feels wrong.
I think that's the point...
One word, emphasis on the first syllable. shANkil. Rhymes with ankle.
Have to say, this song bugs me. Perhaps it's too close to the bone, but the contrast between the sweetness of arrangement and voice, and the subject matter, just feels wrong.
I think that's the point...
Manbird wrote:
Shankill is a small town in Ireland not far from where I grew up. We pronounced it Shan-kill. Pretty much as she says it in the song.
Apparently there are 2 Shankills. I lived near the one near Loughlinstown where I went to school.
It looks like this is the reference in the song, though.
yeah, I think it's safe to say it's a reference to the Shankill Road in Belfast. So, in the Belfast dialect, it's pronounced as one word.
Shankill is a small town in Ireland not far from where I grew up. We pronounced it Shan-kill. Pretty much as she says it in the song.
Apparently there are 2 Shankills. I lived near the one near Loughlinstown where I went to school.
It looks like this is the reference in the song, though.
yeah, I think it's safe to say it's a reference to the Shankill Road in Belfast. So, in the Belfast dialect, it's pronounced as one word.
BillG wrote:
What's the correct pronunciation?
One word, emphasis on the first syllable. shANkil. Rhymes with ankle.
Have to say, this song bugs me. Perhaps it's too close to the bone, but the contrast between the sweetness of arrangement and voice, and the subject matter, just feels wrong.
What's the correct pronunciation?
One word, emphasis on the first syllable. shANkil. Rhymes with ankle.
Have to say, this song bugs me. Perhaps it's too close to the bone, but the contrast between the sweetness of arrangement and voice, and the subject matter, just feels wrong.
mountainman wrote:
who did the original?
Decemberists. I like the instruments in this one, but Colin Maloy has a much more sinister voice for this tune.I like this version even better after a few listenings so I uprated it a bit more 
...that syncopated mandolin and toy piano sounds very cool - easy seven with potential for an eight...
Digging this different version of a favorite song.
Stunning voice! 
BillG wrote:
What's the correct pronunciation?
Shankill is a small town in Ireland not far from where I grew up. We pronounced it Shan-kill. Pretty much as she says it in the song.
Apparently there are 2 Shankills. I lived near the one near Loughlinstown where I went to school.
It looks like this is the reference in the song, though.
What's the correct pronunciation?
Shankill is a small town in Ireland not far from where I grew up. We pronounced it Shan-kill. Pretty much as she says it in the song.
Apparently there are 2 Shankills. I lived near the one near Loughlinstown where I went to school.
It looks like this is the reference in the song, though.
I love the Decemberists, but dare I say I like her version better? Such talent for someone so young!
pretty good, sounds a bit flat compared to the decemberists though. actually, i think i need to play theirs right now.
MrDill wrote:
What's the correct pronunciation?
It's a shame she and most others insist in saying Shank - Hill just doesn't sound right to my Norn Iron ears
What's the correct pronunciation?
It's a shame she and most others insist in saying Shank - Hill just doesn't sound right to my Norn Iron ears
I like it better than the Decemberist original version...not bad...
decemberists.
sarah performing this live solo at threadgills...
mountainman wrote:
sarah performing this live solo at threadgills...
mountainman wrote:
who did the original?
who did the original?
I prefer the version by the Decemberists.
A really great version of this song.....the rest of the album is really good for an 18 year old. Check out Tom Waits' "Come On Up To The House" as well.
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
"The Shankill Butchers is the name given to a loyalist gang, many of whom were members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). The gang conducted paramilitary activities in Belfast, Northern Ireland during the 1970s. It was most notorious for its late-night abduction, torture and murder (by throat slashing) of random Catholic civilians. The Shankill Butchers killed at least 30 people (including a significant number of Protestants) in sectarian attacks, paramilitary feuds, personal grudges and bombing raids. Despite extensive police resources being channelled towards the capture of those responsible, a wall of silence, created by a mixture of fear and respect in the Shankill community, provided few leads that could be followed.
According to Conor Cruise O'Brien, the Butchers, led by Lenny Murphy, brought a new, frightening level of paramilitary violence to a country already hardened by death and destruction.<1> While the majority of the gang were eventually caught and received the longest combined prison sentences in British legal history, Murphy and his two chief lieutenants escaped prosecution. He was later killed in November 1982 by the Provisional IRA, likely acting with loyalist paramilitaries who perceived him as a threat."
Wow.
According to Conor Cruise O'Brien, the Butchers, led by Lenny Murphy, brought a new, frightening level of paramilitary violence to a country already hardened by death and destruction.<1> While the majority of the gang were eventually caught and received the longest combined prison sentences in British legal history, Murphy and his two chief lieutenants escaped prosecution. He was later killed in November 1982 by the Provisional IRA, likely acting with loyalist paramilitaries who perceived him as a threat."
Wow.
Interesting.. Thank you for the info. . . . Ireland has been a religious mess for many years, I wonder why they feel akin to such
a criminal element ? Some folks might take this as a mockery and the anger is but a piece of paper below the surface. She doesn't look like a mick. (I'm a mick) Is this fodder for a musical conspiracy ? 
This is a very attractive young lady, and she plays the mandolin like a fast forward angel...
Now if yer juss gunna bitch n' moan bout Blue Grass music don't check this out !!
She is diverse and talented.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_TESu0FSKI&feature=related
Now if yer juss gunna bitch n' moan bout Blue Grass music don't check this out !!
She is diverse and talented.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_TESu0FSKI&feature=related
I imagine a redheaded gal with freckles and a straw hat, sitting by the river and chewing on a piece of grass...God, I wish I was there. Another great find, Bill.
Toy piano, I like!
"The Shankill Butchers is the name given to a loyalist gang, many of whom were members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). The gang conducted paramilitary activities in Belfast, Northern Ireland during the 1970s. It was most notorious for its late-night abduction, torture and murder (by throat slashing) of random Catholic civilians. The Shankill Butchers killed at least 30 people (including a significant number of Protestants) in sectarian attacks, paramilitary feuds, personal grudges and bombing raids. Despite extensive police resources being channelled towards the capture of those responsible, a wall of silence, created by a mixture of fear and respect in the Shankill community, provided few leads that could be followed.
According to Conor Cruise O'Brien, the Butchers, led by Lenny Murphy, brought a new, frightening level of paramilitary violence to a country already hardened by death and destruction.<1> While the majority of the gang were eventually caught and received the longest combined prison sentences in British legal history, Murphy and his two chief lieutenants escaped prosecution. He was later killed in November 1982 by the Provisional IRA, likely acting with loyalist paramilitaries who perceived him as a threat."
Wow.
According to Conor Cruise O'Brien, the Butchers, led by Lenny Murphy, brought a new, frightening level of paramilitary violence to a country already hardened by death and destruction.<1> While the majority of the gang were eventually caught and received the longest combined prison sentences in British legal history, Murphy and his two chief lieutenants escaped prosecution. He was later killed in November 1982 by the Provisional IRA, likely acting with loyalist paramilitaries who perceived him as a threat."
Wow.