Nancy Mulligan

"Nancy Mulligan" is a celebratory anthem about love triumphing over adversity, based on the true story of Ed Sheeran's paternal grandparents, William Sheeran and Anne "Nancy" Mulligan. The song's central meaning revolves around the theme of forbidden love and defiance against societal and familial pressures. Set against the backdrop of post-WWII Ireland, it highlights the religious tensions between Protestants and Catholics. William, a Protestant from Belfast, and Nancy, a Catholic from the Republic of Ireland, chose to marry despite her father's explicit disapproval and the fact that none of their families attended the wedding.

The narrative emphasizes that their love was powerful enough to overcome these significant social barriers. The act of eloping to the "Wexford border" is a pivotal moment of rebellion, symbolizing their commitment to each other above all else. The song celebrates not just romantic love, but also the creation of a new, unified family identity—'She took my name and then we were one'. It's a testament to enduring commitment, as the story spans from their youthful romance to their old age, surrounded by a large family. Ultimately, the song conveys a powerful message that love, determination, and personal conviction can conquer prejudice and build a lasting legacy.

The story unfolds from the perspective of William Sheeran, a man reflecting on his life at an old age, surrounded by his twenty-two grandchildren. He begins by recounting being twenty-four years old when he met the love of his life, Nancy Mulligan. He recalls the day he proposed, a summer day when he fashioned a wedding ring for her from melted-down dentist's gold. However, when he asked for her hand in marriage, her father adamantly refused, declaring, "You can't marry my daughter."

This rejection stemmed from a deep-seated religious and cultural divide of the time; William was a Protestant from Belfast, Northern Ireland, while Nancy was a Catholic from the Republic of Ireland. Despite her father's disapproval, their love was unshakeable. They decided to elope, not caring about the religious conflict that sought to keep them apart. William was determined to marry the woman he loved. They fled to the Wexford border, where they could finally be united. The chorus celebrates their union, with Nancy Mulligan taking his name to become Nancy Sheeran, symbolizing their bond forged against all odds.

William then flashes back to their first meeting during the Second World War. He was a soldier, and she was a nurse working in a soldier's ward at Guy's Hospital. He was instantly captivated by her beauty, the likes of which he had never seen before. He affectionately called her his 'yellow rose', a term of endearment. Their romance blossomed quickly, but they had to be discreet, stealing kisses on the backstairs of the hospital. Despite their poverty—he was in a torn-up uniform and she wore a hand-me-down wedding dress—their love was rich enough to build a life together. They went on to have eight children and create a loving family, proving that their commitment was stronger than any societal obstacle. The song concludes with a return to the present, showing William and Nancy in their eighties, still deeply in love. He looks at her and still sees the beautiful woman he met during the war, affirming that after all these years, their love story remains the most beautiful and meaningful part of their lives.

"Nancy Mulligan" is one of the most personal songs from Ed Sheeran's third studio album, ÷ (Divide), released on March 3, 2017. The song chronicles the real-life love story of his Irish grandparents, William Sheeran and Anne "Nancy" Mulligan. Sheeran was inspired by what he described as their "Romeo and Juliet romance." His grandfather, William, was a Protestant from Belfast, and his grandmother, Nancy, was a Catholic from County Wexford in the Republic of Ireland. They met in London during World War II, where Nancy was a nurse.

Sheeran has shared specific anecdotes that made their way into the lyrics. He explained in an interview with Zane Lowe that after they got engaged, "no one turned up at their wedding" due to the religious divide. The lyric "I made that wedding ring from dentist gold" is also a true detail; William, who worked in dentistry, melted down gold teeth to create a ring for Nancy. They married in borrowed clothes, further highlighting their humble and defiant beginnings.

Sheeran decided to frame the song as a lively Irish "jig" to capture the spirit and joy of their story. He collaborated with the Antrim-based Irish folk band Beoga to infuse the track with authentic traditional instrumentation, which helped shape the song's distinctive sound along with another Irish-themed track on the album, "Galway Girl." The song was recorded in 2016 as part of the sessions for the album. Sheeran's grandmother, Nancy, heard the song for the first time in 2017 and remarked that her famous grandson was "exactly the same as he always is when he visits."

The predominant emotional tone of "Nancy Mulligan" is one of triumphant joy and heartfelt nostalgia. The song is a celebration of a love story that defied the odds, and this is reflected in its exuberant musical arrangement and spirited vocal delivery. The fast tempo, lively Irish folk instrumentation, and driving rhythm create an atmosphere of pure, unadulterated happiness and festivity, akin to a wedding celebration or a lively céilí.

However, beneath the joy, there are currents of defiance and resilience. The lyrics touch upon the hardship and disapproval the couple faced ('her daddy said, no', 'no one turned up at their wedding'), which adds a layer of depth to their triumph. Their happiness is not frivolous; it is earned. This creates a powerful emotional cocktail of defiance against prejudice, the romantic thrill of elopement, and the profound, lasting warmth of a lifelong partnership.

There is also a strong sense of romantic nostalgia, as the entire story is told from the perspective of an elderly William Sheeran fondly looking back on his life with Nancy. This retrospective viewpoint imbues the song with a tender, sentimental quality, making the joyful celebration also a touching tribute to an enduring love that has stood the test of time.

"Nancy Mulligan" is a track from Ed Sheeran's massively successful third album, ÷ (Divide), which was released in 2017. Upon its release, every song from the deluxe version of the album charted within the UK Top 20, with "Nancy Mulligan" peaking at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. The song, along with "Galway Girl," was noted for its prominent use of traditional Irish folk music, a sound not commonly found in mainstream pop. Sheeran expressed a hope that the success of these tracks would encourage more pop artists to incorporate Irish folk elements into their music.

The song holds significant cultural resonance, particularly in Ireland, as it tells a deeply personal story rooted in the country's complex history of religious division. By celebrating a cross-community marriage, the song touches on themes of unity and reconciliation. The story of his grandparents was widely covered by Irish media, and his grandmother, Nancy, became a beloved figure after a video of her hearing the song for the first time went viral.

Sheeran performed "Nancy Mulligan" live with the Irish band Beoga during his headline set at the Glastonbury Festival in 2017, bringing the authentic Irish sound to a massive international audience. While not released as a single, the song's narrative depth and unique sound made it a fan favorite and a standout track on the album, praised for its heartfelt storytelling and its successful fusion of pop and traditional folk.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Nancy Mulligan" are key to its energetic and memorable quality, drawing heavily from Irish folk traditions.

Rhyme Scheme:

The song predominantly uses a simple AABB rhyme scheme within its four-line stanzas, which is common in ballads and folk music for its catchy and easy-to-follow structure. For example:

"I was twenty-four years old (A)
When I met the woman I would call my own (A)
Twenty-two grand kids now growing old (B)
In that house that your brother bought ya" (B - slant rhyme)

This straightforward rhyming makes the lyrics highly memorable and contributes to the song's sing-along quality. Sheeran uses a mix of perfect rhymes ("old"/"gold") and slant rhymes ("own"/"ya") to maintain a natural, conversational feel in the storytelling.

Rhythm and Meter:

The song's rhythm is its most defining characteristic. It is structured like a lively Irish reel or jig, with a fast tempo and a driving beat that encourages dancing. The lyrical rhythm is syncopated and rapid-fire, with Sheeran fitting many syllables into each line, mirroring the fast-paced melodies of the fiddle and accordion. This creates a sense of breathless excitement and joy, perfectly capturing the spirit of a whirlwind romance and rebellious elopement. The constant, pulsing rhythm from the bodhrán and acoustic guitar provides a strong rhythmic foundation that keeps the energy high throughout the entire track. The interplay between the swift lyrical delivery and the rollicking instrumental rhythm is what gives the song its infectious, celebratory feel.

"Nancy Mulligan" employs a blend of literary and musical techniques to tell its vibrant story:

Literary Techniques:

• Narrative Ballad Form: The song is structured as a classic narrative ballad, telling a complete story from a first-person perspective (that of William Sheeran). This storytelling format makes the personal history feel immediate and engaging.
• First-Person Perspective: By adopting his grandfather's voice, Sheeran creates an intimate and authentic tone, allowing the listener to experience the love story directly through the eyes of its protagonist.
• Imagery: The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery that brings the story to life, such as the "torn-up uniform," the "hand-me-down wedding dress," and the act of stealing "kisses on the backstairs." These details create a strong sense of time and place.

Musical Techniques:

• Irish Folk Instrumentation: The song's most notable stylistic feature is its use of traditional Irish folk instruments. Collaborating with the band Beoga, the track features prominent fiddle, bodhrán (Irish drum), accordion, and tin whistle, giving it an authentic, high-energy céilí feel.
• Driving Rhythm: The song is set to a fast-paced rhythm characteristic of an Irish reel or jig, which propels the narrative forward and mirrors the excitement and urgency of the young couple's elopement.
• Vocal Delivery: Sheeran's vocal performance is energetic and impassioned, shifting from a reflective tone in the verses to a joyous, anthemic delivery in the chorus. This matches the song's emotional arc from reminiscence to celebration.
• Communal Atmosphere: The production incorporates background sounds of clapping and cheering, creating the atmosphere of a pub or community gathering where a story is being shared, enhancing the folk tradition of the song.

What is the true story behind Ed Sheeran's song 'Nancy Mulligan'?

The song tells the true love story of Ed Sheeran's paternal grandparents, William Sheeran and Anne 'Nancy' Mulligan. William was a Protestant from Belfast and Nancy was a Catholic from the Republic of Ireland. They fell in love during WWII, but their families disapproved due to the religious divide. They eloped and married at the Wexford border with no family present.

Who were William Sheeran and Nancy Mulligan?

William Sheeran and Anne 'Nancy' Mulligan were Ed Sheeran's grandparents. William worked in dentistry in London, and Nancy was a nurse at Guy's Hospital. Their cross-religious marriage in 1951, despite societal disapproval, lasted over 60 years until William's death in 2013. They had eight children and 23 grandchildren, including Ed.

What does the lyric 'I made that wedding ring from dentist gold' mean?

This lyric is a true detail from his grandparents' story. Ed Sheeran's grandfather, William, worked in dentistry and literally stole gold teeth from his surgery, which he then melted down to create a wedding ring for Nancy because they couldn't afford one. It symbolizes their resourcefulness and deep devotion.

What musical genre is 'Nancy Mulligan'?

The song is primarily in the Irish Folk genre, blended with Pop. It is structured like a traditional Irish jig or reel, featuring instruments like the fiddle, bodhrán, and accordion to create an authentic, high-energy folk sound.

Who are the band Beoga who feature on 'Nancy Mulligan'?

Beoga are a traditional Irish folk band from County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Ed Sheeran collaborated with them to create the authentic Irish sound for 'Nancy Mulligan' and another track on the album, 'Galway Girl'. They also performed the song live with him at Glastonbury in 2017.

Why did Nancy Mulligan's father disapprove of the marriage?

Her father disapproved because of the religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland at the time. Nancy was a Catholic from the south, while William was a Protestant from the north. This was a significant social barrier, and mixed-religion marriages were often strongly opposed by families.

When was 'Nancy Mulligan' released?

The song was released on March 3, 2017, as part of the deluxe edition of Ed Sheeran's third studio album, '÷' (Divide).