LYNOTT, Philip. A Collected Works of Philip Lynott (Rare limited edition)

[London: Pippin the Friendly Ranger, 1979]. First edition. 4to. pp. 104. Illustrated throughout with photographs and drawings. Original black cloth, lettered in white on upper cover and spine. A very good, clean copy.

An early and increasingly scarce collection of the writings and lyrics of Philip Lynott (1949–1986), frontman and principal songwriter of Thin Lizzy. Dedicated to his daughter Sarah, the volume brings together lyrics and poetry spanning Lynott’s career to that date, including The Boys are Back in Town, Whiskey in the Jar, Dancing in the Moonlight, Jailbreak, Emerald, Sarah, Still in Love with You and many others.

With an introduction by music journalist Chris Salewicz, dated January 1979, discussing Lynott both as songwriter and poet and placing his writing within a wider literary tradition. The collection reveals the distinctly Irish character of much of Lynott’s work, with references to Dublin, Irish history, folklore and personal experience appearing alongside the rock songs for which he became internationally celebrated.

Illustrated with striking black-and-white photographs and artwork, the book remains one of the most attractive contemporary publications devoted to Lynott and an important record of his work at the height of Thin Lizzy’s success.

A desirable first edition of Philip Lynott’s collected lyrics and poetry, published during his lifetime.

[WR]