The Ferryman (song)
"The Ferryman" is an Irish folk ballad, written by Pete St. John, set in modern-day Dublin, Ireland.
As with much of St. John's work, "The Ferryman" relates to economic change in Dublin and also, perhaps unusually, the original Mel Gibson ‘Mad Max’ film as St. John was a huge fan of the Australian actor. The song is a monologue, by a former pilot of a ferry on the Liffey River to his wife, Molly, as he contemplates the implications of his unemployment.
Despite the unpleasant subject matter, the song ends optimistically, with the declaration "we're still living, and ... we're still young, and the river never owned me heart and soul."
Recordings
The song has been recorded by the Dublin City Ramblers, Four to the Bar, The Dubliners, The Irish Rovers, Gaelic Storm, Patsy Watchorn, and Patrick Clifford.