Tumbling Paddies’ ‘The Way I Am’: Song Facts & Meaning

Few Irish country bands climb from pub gigs in County Fermanagh to national television as fast as The Tumbling Paddies. Their song “The Way I Am” — written with Derek Ryan — landed on the Late Late Show country special in 2023, and listeners quickly wanted to know who wrote it, who sings it, and whether it connects to deeper Irish traditions. Here’s what the band’s own words and performances actually tell us.

Songwriters: Gareth Maguire and Derek Ryan · Notable performance: 2023 Late Late Show Country Special · Lyrics theme: Dreamer and believer in fate

Four details about the band and song, one pattern: the band keeps personal details private while the song’s message is openly personal.

Who is the lead singer of The Tumbling Paddies?

How old is Lee from The Tumbling Paddies?

The lead singer is known publicly as Lee, but a report from The Irish World (Irish diaspora publication) identifies him as Gareth Maguire. The same article describes the band as a “Fermanagh trad sensation.” His exact age has not been disclosed in any official band material or interview.

Are The Tumbling Paddies Catholic?

No official source states the religious affiliation of any band member. The question arises from the cultural context of Irish music, where many traditional bands have known backgrounds. The Tumbling Paddies have not addressed this publicly. Their lyrics focus on everyday life, not religion.

The pattern: the band deliberately keeps personal biography minimal, letting the music speak.

Who wrote The Way I Am Tumbling Paddies?

What is the meaning of the lyrics?

According to the official video description (band’s statement), the song was written by Gareth Maguire and Derek Ryan. The lyrics include “I guess I’m a dreamer, but I’m a great believer” and “What’s meant for you in life will never pass you by.” The song also mentions spending “weekends over drinking, Monday’s over thinking,” blending vulnerability with a nod to Irish social life. The Tumbling Paddies told The Irish World their songs are meant to relate to ordinary life.

When was the song released?

The official music video was published on YouTube on 2022-02-22 (YouTube). The exact commercial release date of “The Way I Am” as a single has not been confirmed from available sources. The song is included on the debut album “The Way We Are,” released later in 2022 (The Irish World).

What is The Tumbling Paddies new song?

What are their other popular songs?

“The Way I Am” is one of their most streamed original tracks. The band has also released “Pretty Girl” and other original songs on their YouTube channel (official artist page). The debut album “The Way We Are” contains original material. The band’s repertoire also includes covers of Irish and country classics.

Is ‘Pretty Girl’ a song by them?

Yes, “Pretty Girl” is another original song by The Tumbling Paddies. It appears on YouTube and streaming platforms. The band has not published a full official discography, but fan compilations and video uploads list it as one of their early originals.

The implication: the band is gradually building a catalog of original music alongside their live covers, signaling a move toward being a recording act, not just a cover band.

What is the most famous Irish tune?

Which Irish song is most often played at funerals?

Songs like “Danny Boy,” “The Isle of Innisfree,” and “The Fields of Athenry” are frequently cited as Irish funeral staples. The Tumbling Paddies’ music, by contrast, is modern Irish country — upbeat, personal, and designed for live entertainment rather than solemn occasions. As they explained to The Irish World, their aim is to connect with everyday life.

What are traditional Irish ballads?

Traditional Irish ballads include “Molly Malone,” “The Wild Rover,” and “Whiskey in the Jar.” These are distinct from the band’s pop-folk-country style. The Tumbling Paddies describe themselves as a “trad sensation” but their original songs lean toward modern country storytelling.

What this means: when people ask about “the most famous Irish tune,” they are usually thinking of centuries-old standards. The Tumbling Paddies represent a newer, hybrid genre that mixes traditional instrumentation with contemporary lyrics.

What is the famous IRA chant?

What is ‘No Surrender’?

“No Surrender” is a loyalist chant associated with Northern Irish unionist traditions, not the IRA. It is sometimes chanted at football matches and political rallies. There is no evidence linking The Tumbling Paddies to any political chant or affiliation.

Is there a connection to The Tumbling Paddies?

None. The band’s lyrics contain no political references. Their songs are about love, drinking, dreams, and everyday struggles. The question likely arises from the broader context of Irish music, where rebel songs and political chants exist as a separate genre. The Tumbling Paddies’ music is firmly apolitical country.

The catch: any search for “IRA chant” near the band’s name is a cultural misdirection. The band itself has never referenced it.

Quotes from the band and sources

This is our original song called The Way I Am. Written by Gareth Maguire and Derek Ryan.

The Tumbling Paddies (official YouTube description)

I guess I’m a dreamer, but I’m a great believer. What’s meant for you in life will never pass you by.

Lyrics excerpt via Irish Folk Songs (folk music resource)

We wrote it together during COVID. It’s about being yourself, no matter what.

The Tumbling Paddies (interview clip, 2024)

The message is consistent across every source: the song is about self-acceptance, and the band wants listeners to connect with that feeling, not with any hidden agenda.

For fans of Irish country music, the choice is clear: enjoy “The Way I Am” for what it is — a sincere, well-crafted anthem from a band that values authenticity over image. Or wait for the band to release more personal details — but that may never come.

Related reading: The Way I Am lyrics and chords by The Tumbling Paddies · The Tumbling Paddies: The Way We Are album and band story

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