PRESS RELEASE; Jo Biden brings hope, we bring the music.
The Papers welcome Joe Biden’s stand against the UK government's attempt to undermine the Good Friday Agreement and celebrate his inauguration to the White House by releasing their version of “Whiskey in the Jar ( 2021)”, the traditional song that in many ways represents Ireland's culture and history. New lyrics, that celebrate the Good Friday Peace Agreement, are sung over a rock/reggae beat, that brings a strong message that peace is non-negotiable.
The band's main songwriters, twin brothers John and Mike Fitzsimons have strong family links with Ireland: both their parents were born in Ireland. Their father Michael came from County Limerick, their mother Kathleen from County Mayo (Mayo is the same area that Joe Biden’s family come from).
What’s different in the new lyric? In the traditional version, an Irish highwayman is betrayed to English redcoats and ends up in prison. In the new version, only the chorus survives, as each verse considers how peace has brought a new understanding between the UK and Irish communities.
Much of the band’s output comments on social issues and uses the sound of rock blended with the poetry of 70s reggae from artists such as Bob Marley and Third World. For this new single the band also explore the world of contemporary jazz and folk music, including elements of these genres in their sound.