Rocky Road to Dublin - Minority Mindset

Warning: this article contains spoilers for the movie Sinners.

In Ryan Coogler’s latest horror production titled “Sinners“, vampires serve as a narrative device, exploring themes through characters such as the villainous Remmick and his rendition of “The Rocky Road To Dublin“. The story revolves around twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, who travel from Chicago back to their Mississippi roots to establish a juke joint. As they gear up for the grand opening, they enlist the assistance of Sammie, an exceptionally gifted musician. In “Sinners“, Sammie’s music plays a crucial role, as its allure inadvertently attracts the vampire Remmick to their club and potentially puts the patrons at risk.

In Remmick’s ears, Sammie’s music resonates with a longing he feels deeply, prompting him to covet it personally. This element in the movie underscores the historical exploitation of Black culture by white Americans, a theme that has been hinted at by other characters too. Before the poignant finale of Sinners, various musical performances are presented, with Sammie’s not being the only one. Remmick and his vampires get their chance to shine musically as well. One notable performance is a grand spectacle for “The Rocky Road To Dublin,” an 19th-century Irish song that serves to delve deeper into the true essence of Sinners.

The Real Meaning Of The “The Rocky Road To Dublin” Song

The Song Describes A Man’s Journey Away From Home

As Remmick and his companions draw near the juke joint but are denied entry, they step back a bit and commence playing their own tunes. Later, when Stack gets bitten and the crowd rushes out in panic, the vampires swiftly descend upon them, transforming them. Those who remained inside gradually picked up on music emanating from within, and it was disclosed that all the new vampires were swaying and jiving to Remmick’s rendition of the Irish folk tune “The Rocky Road to Dublin.

The setting implies that the vampires in Sinners share a collective mind, making it effortless for them to collaborate, yet this feature offers a significant perspective on Remmick’s past. Despite his claim of being from North Carolina, there’s a hint of an Irish accent that surfaces during Remmick’s song, suggesting a different heritage. The ballad “The Rocky Road to Dublin” narrates the journey of an Irish man from County Galway who wanders through the country and ultimately reaches England, subtly pointing towards Remmick’s potential origins.

In the beginning, the main character sets off from his hometown with ambitions of earning wealth and recognition. Yet, as he moves away, he faces difficulties and encounters individuals who refuse to assist due to his origins. This is first illustrated in Dublin, where his “Connaught brogue” was deemed unfashionable, indicating that his accent stirred prejudice. Later on, the speaker mentions “The boys of Liverpool……/ Called meself a fool“, implying that as he journeyed farther from home, it was only those resembling him who were ready to lend a hand.

Even Remmick’s Dance In “The Rocky Road To Dublin” Has A Deeper Meaning

Irish Dancing Was Banned Under British Restrictions

In a way that reflects his personal journey from his native land to the American south, Remmick’s interpretation of “The Rocky Road to Dublin” echoes his enduring pride in his roots. This folk song, already significant, becomes even more poignant with the dance that accompanies it. As other vampires orbit and dance around him, Remmick performs an Irish dance at the center. Notably, this dance carries weight due to the cultural restrictions that Ireland faced under British colonialism.

The song and dance performed by Remmick were prohibited under British Penal Laws; however, this did not halt traditional Irish dancing altogether (as asserted by the World Irish Dance Association). Given its deep connection to Irish cultural identity, Irish dancing, in fact, evolved into a form of resistance against British rule. Consequently, Remmick’s dance in Sinners holds significant importance because it not only provides insight into his past but also reveals how he identifies with his culture. In essence, both the song and dance serve as essential tools for understanding who Remmick was before moving to the United States.

Sinners Uses “The Rocky Road To Dublin” To Explore Another Side Of Racism

The Song Explores British Colonization Of Ireland

One intriguing aspect of the movie Sinners lies in the complex portrayal of Remmick, a character who is both an intimidating antagonist and one whose past suggests he has encountered prejudice. This nuance is beautifully depicted in “The Rocky Road to Dublin,” a song that illustrates discrimination against its protagonist. Initially, he faces ridicule for his accent in Ireland, followed by mistreatment as an Irishman in Liverpool. However, the story concludes on a poignant note, hinting at his eventual acceptance and camaraderie with others from Galway, despite his earlier struggles.

In the tune, the storyteller encounters unkindness from others and it’s evident that Remmick is profoundly affected by the lyrics. Ireland has a long-standing history of being dominated by the British and viewed as inferior. The movie Sinners delicately touches upon this past via “The Rocky Road to Dublin”, without explicitly detailing the history itself, which might divert attention from the main storyline. This theme is expressed more directly towards the end of the film when Remmick discusses being coerced into religion with Sammie.

Sinners Smartly Parallels The Experiences Of The Irish & Black Americans

Remmick Seems To Believe On Some Level That He Can Help The Club’s Attendees

Although Black Americans and Irish people have distinct experiences with unique aspects, there are also shared similarities portrayed in the film Sinners. This is particularly evident through the character Remmick, who starts off as a racist white man seeking aid from KKK members. However, as the story unfolds, his position becomes more multifaceted than it initially appears. Remmick experiences discrimination due to his Irish heritage and immigrant status, but he also exploits his white privilege to harm others simultaneously.

In this storyline, Remmick tries to use Sammie as a means to explore music and Black culture, and also suggests that if they convert others, they could unite against the KKK. However, at the end of the movie, when Sammick starts reciting the Lord’s Prayer, Remmick reveals his history: People once invaded his home, suppressing his beliefs, and replacing them with Christianity.

For Remmick, much like many African Americans in America, the Irish culture was stripped away from him. Despite his efforts to resist or reclaim his Irish heritage independently, the pain of that treatment lingers. In essence, Remmick embodies centuries of displacement and disregard, sharing a parallel with the Black patrons at the club. He can relate to the experience of having one’s culture and identity violently taken away. However, he remains focused on his personal ambitions and goals, demonstrating the intricate depth of characters in “Sinners.

2025-05-04 18:58