By Anthony Benigno

What?! St. Paddy’s Day already happened? Crap. Well, in any case, here’s a handy guide to creating your 2011 St. Patrick’s soundtrack. I’m Italian you say? I have no reason/right to be writing this? Never you mind that. Just pour yourself a car bomb with your Lucky Charms, pop in the Boondock Saints DVD, and make sure you bring a camera. Erin go bragh.

Dropkick Murphys: “(F)lannigan’s Ball”

-Not particularly Irish-sounding, but this reinterpretation of the traditional “Lanigan’s Ball” is basically the “Kung Fu Fighting” of drinking songs. You’re likely to get a contact buzz and a black eye just from listening to it.

Great Big Sea: “The Night Pat Murphy Died”

-A song about a dearly departed fellow whose funeral goes tragically, alcoholically awry. Needless to say, the events described therein sound like an absolute blast. You know, provided you’re not the dead guy.

The Dubliners: “Whiskey in the Jar”

-The G.O.A.T. of drinking songs. If you’re not plastered by verse 2, something is terribly, terribly wrong.

The Pogues: “The Irish Rover”

-The Irish Hall of Fame, if it existed, would likely be comprised of shepherd’s pie, James Joyce, and this song (side note: doesn’t Ronnie Drew look like Sean Connery?).

Flogging Molly: “To Youth (My Sweet Roisin Dubh)”

-Nevermind that the phrase “roisin dubh” isn’t pronounced anything like you think it is; the fiddles, flutes, horrendously depressing lyrics and lead singer Dave King’s soft, Celtic brogue is enough to transport you to the fair glens of Ireland. Or, ya know, the nearest Guinness tap.