My Silver Lining | Grace O’Malley’s | Boots and Bones | Smorgashburg | YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
My Silver Lining by First Aid Kit came out in the spring of ‘14. They are a Swedish folk duo band of sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg. I heard this tune at one of the bars where I had a Guinness and I thought it sounded good. With the bit of twang in their vocals, I would have never guessed they were Swedish.
She starts the song out with a strong opening about how she no longer wants to get bogged down trying to figure out the reason behind why things happen. She is attempting to let of burdens like regret & remorse to find music and laughter, or happiness.
This part of the 1st verse is about how time waits for nobody, the world keeps on turning, etc.
Keep on keeping on is a famous saying about hanging in there if when times are tough. The phrase has been used in song titles by American folk artist Len Chandler and R&B Soul singer Curtis Mayfield. It is also used in a Bob Dylan song called Tangled Up in Blue.
These shackles are the impediments she imposed on herself by living with them. Not taking the easy road is difficult but rewarding.
Okay, after doing a bit of Twitter search, this song was also on in the background of a Monday Night Football game right after a punt when they were going into a commercial break. I knew I heard this melody somewhere else since my night in Jersey City.
Johanna Söderberg told the National Post, “I think everyone has the feeling sometimes of ‘What’s the point? Why am I doing this?’ and this song about trying to find that glimpse of light that makes it all worthwhile. It’s definitely a sad song but it’s got a bit of hope in there.”
So if I had to guess, this song starts with the duo not wanting to know the answers to things but more so wanting to gain the lesson or perspective (silver lining). Some things in life are just unexplainable so I guess this is the right attitude to have. Of course, easier said than done.
Nice song, I’m glad I jotted it down when I heard it at one of these bars, and that Monday Night Football incepted it into my brain for a commercial break. On to the pints!
#GuinnessChallengeSeason
@Kids don’t try this at home. Not just because you’re underage and will have plenty of pints to drink if that ends up being your thing when you’re older but also because Guinness is actually best served in a pint glass from a tap. A pint of Guinness varies depending on the drinking establishment. If the keg it sits in is rarely poured, it can lead to some underwhelming taste. Rather than stealing gimmicks, I’d like to start taking Notes while drinking Guinness. My grandfather from Connemara, who I never got the chance to meet, Thomas Davis, used to drink pints and by all accounts was a self-taught thinker. The one rule I’ve imposed on myself is that I will only have 1 pint per sitting from each establishment I review, so @AnyoneWorrying, don’t worry about my drinking habits. The Guinness Challenge is to “cut the G” on your first sip (more like a gulp and a half). If this is your first time hearing about it, I didn’t come up with the fun challenge @YouTheReader can try the next time you have a Guinness. The 0.0 to 10.0 scale will be extraordinarily nuanced but as a reference point, the only perfect 10.0 I plan ever to give out is at the Guinness Factory in Dublin one day.
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: The couple next to me is arguing, basically shouting at each other over “safe harbor.” It’s toxic, sad, and interesting. Carlos Rodon is making his Yankee debut tonight. Grace O’Malley’s has a rustic vibe, their Guinness is high quality… this couple is feckin’ nuts, holy cow. Ashley is the bartender and she’s having to deal with them, handling it like a pro. She recommends the shepherd’s pie and lamb burger. Fields of Athenry sign on the wall. They have a portrait of JFK mantled on the restaurant end of the pub. A poster of the Cork Park Races from April 1899 is also on the wall. Class. There is also a great quote “May the road rise up to meet you and may the wind always be at your back.”
Grace O’Malley was a real person born around 1530 in County Mayo, Connacht, a province in the West of Ireland. When she was 11, the redhead was out in the sea as a seafarer. Eventually, she would command over 200 men in her fleet and she became known as “the pirate queen of Ireland.” She was famous as a fierce leader at sea and a shrewd politician on land as she defended the independence of much of her territories at a time when Ireland fell under English rule. After her brother and son were arrested by the English, O’Malley had a historic meeting with Queen Elizabeth I in September of 1593 at Greenwich Castle. Her requests for the release of her family members were met on the account that she ceased all rebellion against the crown. When her other demands remained unresolved she would later find her meeting with the Queen to be futile and would support Irish rebels during later clashes. (Forbes) Grace O’Malley was a total badass. The pub in Jersey City is also very cool as they honor “the nurse to all rebellions” well. They have one of the best pints of Guinness in Jersey City and are located on Newark Avenue, it is right in the middle of the happenings of JC. I look forward to grabbing another pint of Guinness at Grace O’Malley’s Whiskey Chapel again soon!
Song On In The Background: My Silver Lining by First Aid Kit
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Nashville or Nowhere sign behind the bar. Jose is the bartender. “This ain’t my first rodeo” sign is behind the bar as well. The smoked pulled chicken is recommended. They have 2 smokers in the back which makes the meats very juicy. The nachos are also a hit. The St. Louis Ribs are also worth mentioning; their wings are smoked for 2 hours before being served. The Dirty Cow Girl is the most popular cocktail, but Jolene Jolene is Jose’s personal favorite. They also have a signature cocktail called The Boot. Chipper Jones and Alex Rodriguez were Jose’s favorite ball players growing up, he grew up in Jersey City. This bar is like Nashville up North. They are a fun country bar.
The American Restaurant with a Southern Soul just opened in Jersey City last April. Their menu has plenty of options and they sure know how to slow-cook meat and smoke barbeque. Boots and Bones will be hosting a Halloween Party this Saturday at 10 p.m., so be sure to book your tables by calling (201) 710-0147 or emailing events@bootsjc.com for more details. They are also a great spot for sports, as they have plenty of TVs for Football from Thursday to Monday. Located just 9 minutes from the World Trade Center, all you have to do is take the PATH to Groove Station and it’s right there. I look forward to grabbing another pint of Guinness at Boots & Bones again soon!
Rooftop View
Unfortunately, the Rooftop bar that will not be named, cough, cough, Exchange Place, cough, cough, did not have the Guinness draught that they claimed they did on the Google. It still had a gorgeous view so whatever, no big deal.
Song On In The Background: Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Outdoor spot on the Hudson River waters of Jersey City. I’m annoyed that the rooftop bar I was just at advertised that they had Guinness only not to have any. False advertising, they said so on Google but I digress. Anyway, the bartenders here aren’t like bartenders at most bars, more like vendors you get a beer from at a ball game so I didn’t get to do much talking. Beautiful night. Great view of The City from Jersey.
The outdoor bar is pet and family-friendly. Not only do they feature some of the best NYC skyline views this side of the Hudson, but they have plenty of margaritas and local craft beers as well. Unfortunately, due to the fact that it is an outdoor spot, they won’t be open again until next spring. Season 3 of Smorgasbar in Jersey City starts on Cinco de Mayo ‘24. I look forward to grabbing another pint at Smorgasbar again next year!