Typically performed in a minor key, it generally is played in an upbeat style reminiscent of the party atmosphere in which the story that the lyrics portray unfolds.
In Alfred Perceval Graves' book, Songs of Irish Wit and Humour, published in 1884, "Lanigan's Ball" is attributed to anon.
[3] The song describes a raucous party thrown by Lanigan after inheriting land from his father, and for the friends and family who helped him while he was living in self-afflicted poverty.
In the town of Athy one Jeremy Lanigan, Battered away till he hadn't a pound; His father died and made him a man again, Left him a farm and an acre of ground.
A version of this song was recorded by the American celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys on their sixth studio album, The Meanest of Times.
Johnny Logan covered the song on his 2013 album, The Irish Connection 2 A parody version by Frank Kelly called "Charlie Stepped In" lampooned the Arms Trial and the political instability of 1970s and early 1980s Ireland.