1. |
Packy Go Home
05:59
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Now Packy Kildare was a kid without a care
His pal was Bucky McGrath
At the age of ten they talked like men
Feared by the rest of their class
Sister Josephine ran a clean machine
She was nobody’s fool
She’d send them down below to shovel in the coal
That heated all Saint Brendan’s school
They spilled off a spool just too cool for school
They called it a waste of time
So every other day was wasted away
By the river in their life of crime
Packy I confess you have beaten the best
With a story to tell all your own
Packy go home they’re searching for your bones
And your ma’s waiting up all alone
Yeah your ma’s waiting up all alone
Now the clever young man one day had a plan
To escape the fate he had comin’
Loading every grain of coal that furnace could hold
To keep that boiler hummin’
As the temperature soared to one thousand or more
And the pressure continued to rise
Our boys were miles away burning up another day
When the blast split the mid day sky
Packy I confess you have beaten the best
With a story to tell all your own
Packy go home they’re searching for your bones
And your ma’s waiting up all alone
Yeah your ma’s waiting up all alone
Packy’s old man was the first in command
The captain of the fire brigade
But the good Father Keane was the first on the scene
With the good sisters he did pray
When the flames were finally out they all looked about
Still searching for Packy and Buck
When neither could be found they were mourned through the town
As the heroes who ran out of luck
Packy I confess you have beaten the best
With a story to tell all your own
Packy go home wait til your dad gets home
Your ma’s waiting up all alone
Packy I confess you have beaten the best
With a story to tell all your own
Packy go home they’re searching for your bones
And your ma’s waiting up all alone
Yeah your ma’s waiting up all alone
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2. |
Fire in the Hole
04:01
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Now the last ten years I've worked in the mines
Counting the hours of the day
‘Til I could wash off the dust from my bones
And spend what's left of my pay
Oh I wish I was back in the company store
With a local girl on my arm
Where a pint and a kiss and a fiddler's reel
Could keep me safe and warm
It's fire in the hole man run for your life
A long blue vein of coal
Out of the dark and into the light
A dollar a day to sell your soul
And live through the fire in the hole
Well I'm fumblin' now for words to say
What's caught behind my tongue
‘Cus I'm shaky now 'bout all the things
I knew when I was young
Just dreamin' tonight that I'm wide awake
A thousand feet under the ground
And a thousand souls under all that weight
Of heaven pressing us down
It's fire in the hole man run for your life
A long blue vein of coal
Out of the dark and into the light
A dollar a day to sell your soul
And live through the fire in the hole
Now a nation will rise from the work we do
Making millionaires night and day
So I'll sign us up with the union man
To get us the rest of our pay
Now we'll strike every day if it comes to that
I coughed every night for a year and a half
We'll meet them at the gates with bullets and some mates
And a few men won't come back
It's fire in the hole man run for your life
A long blue vein of coal
Out of the dark and into the light
A dollar a day to sell your soul
And live through the fire in the hole
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3. |
Green & Gold
03:11
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Well they pass it on down the green and the gold
A red headed girl with a hand to hold
And if you had a son you could never grow old
Well they put away their plows, they picked up their guns
The O'Donnells and O'Neill's went down to Ballybun
They chased 'em all the way to where the river ran dry
And marked all the young with the fire in their eyes
Now I know my place is where I stand
In the the heart of the promised land
We’ll live to tell the stories they told
And pass it on down with the green and the gold
It was done by the time the sun went down
The boys and the men all gathered around
All they had for the widows was a penny and a pound
They buried the dead at the edge of town
Well a hundred years pass and nothin' has changed
The whisky got better but the trouble remains
The lucky ones are waitin' inside of heaven's gate
The rest holdin' on to the hand of fate
Well a million people can't be wrong
Gonna break those chains before too long
And drink their fill of the stories they told
And pass it on down with the green and the gold
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4. |
Love of the Century
05:07
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If you could only see her face one time against the green blue sea
And hear the pipes at sunset I know you would believe
They say she launched a thousand ships and a hundred billion tears
And in this leaky boat I’ve been nye on forty years
I’ve seen the light in her eyes and drowned in her mystery
And I’ve seen those who gave up the ghost
For the Love of the Century
In this holy mercy light that shines on every man
Who had a heart to give away to reach the promised land
Is there any man among us a hundred thousand strong
A nation full of broken hearts can all of us be wrong
To climb every mountain high sail every ocean deep
Spend a life roving never be holding
The Love of the Century
She walks the cliffs of County Cork the ocean down below
Dreaming’ of a love she lost a long long time ago
His legend was a captain brave that went down with his crew
On the jagged rocks of Migen Head and a son he never knew
He built castles in her name though she had no other need
But one more chance to be safe in the arms
Of the Love of the Century
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5. |
Buzz's Jig
03:49
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Over the fields and far away spread your wings and fly away
Free your body free your soul lay’er down and let ‘er roll
Don’t you dare cast a blame cloudy skies are bound to rain
Listen you can hear the sound tonight the boys are layin’ it down
Love may be hard and love may be cruel
We're almost there now don't be a fool
Long dark roads that lead nowhere
Give way to better days
Over the fields and far away spread your wings and fly away
Listen you can hear the sound tonight the girls are coming ‘round
If the world could learn to dance the world would stand a better chance
Let the healing song begin hand to hand and skin to skin
Let the spirit take the day give yourself up to the sway
Move your body to the sound lift your feet up off the ground
Lay down your arms come away from the brink
Open your heart and let it sing
If he never intended for us to fly
Why’d he give us these wings
Over the fields and far away spread your wings and fly away
Free your body free your soul lay’er down and let ‘er roll
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6. |
10 Pound Earhole
03:21
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Well I staggered in one night fearin' for my life
But the mood was just right for a kiss
She sat straight up in bed swingin' at my head
And she said I'd be tastin' more than this
So that's what they call what you get
She'll forgive and forget but first you'll regret
It's the ten pound ear hole
It's the ten pound ear hole
The riot act is what you'll be read
You'd rather have a slap upside the head
So spare me your whole life story
At least we'll get home with the glory
I went down to the local to get my fill
Over two three I did linger
A long winded clown laid his filibuster down
With a boast and a toast and a bender
I suggested he clam up he thought I said stand up
And that was the last I remember
It's the ten pound ear hole
It's the ten pound ear hole
The chapter and verse is what you'll be fed
You'd rather have a slap upside the head
So spare me your whole life story
At least we'll get home with the glory
Well I got my courage up I'm not sure for what
And I made my way to confession
He said come right in I said father I have sinned
But I swear that I've learned my lesson
Then he read it all to me and said pray the rosary
A hundred times in succession
It's the ten pound ear hole
It's the ten pound ear hole
The chapter and verse is what you'll be fed
You'd rather have a slap upside the head
So spare me your whole life story
At least we'll get home with the glory
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7. |
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A thousand miles of ocean between us now my friend
If anyone could build a bridge they'd never reach the end
A hundred thousand sails couldn't get you in time
Those deep and icy waters would not ease your bitter mind
It's a sorry bit of history I'll try to soldier on
We met up with some prisoners their rum was halfway gone
We traded lies and tales of home and letters from both sides
I hope you change the world someday and think of me sometime
A message from the battle zone it just might be the last
In case the big one hits us I'll tell my story fast
Just do the job you have to do before they call you home
And pay up with your flesh 'n blood and bone
We like our heroes simple we like our leaders dumb
So every man can understand how dirty deals are done
They choke on lies that linger and curl around their thumb
‘Til the hooks are sinkin' in while they quickly bite their tongue
A message from the battle zone it just might be the last
In case the big one hits us I'll tell my story fast
Just do the job you have to do before they call you home
And pay up with your flesh 'n blood and bone
I dreamed I saw the ocean spread out from sky to sky
And seven ships they came for us and hung us out to dry
They gave us each a medal and told us we were tough
But the ones who really saw it all don't talk about it much
A message from the battle zone it just might be the last
In case the big one hits us I'll tell my story fast
Just do the job you have to do before they call you home
And pay up with your flesh 'n blood and bone
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8. |
Devil's Tongue
04:31
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Help me God, to kill the Devil’s tongue
The sins of father, sins of the son
You really had a plan when you cursed every man
With everything he had to have but one
A bullet that could kill the Devil’s tongue
They say what goes in is bad enough, but what comes out is death
Let’s hunt it down and kill it before it takes another breath
It’ll sew the seeds of darkness, sew the seeds of doubt
And block the truth from ever getting out
If you had a chance to take it back you’d lay your money down
With a fighting chance to offer up forgiveness by the pound
We’ve all been down that street before and up that creek as well
Just running from what we can’t ever tell
So help me God, to kill the Devil’s tongue
The sins of father, sins of the son
You really had a plan when you cursed every man
With everything he had to have but one
A bullet that could kill the Devil’s tongue
Some times she’s just a whisper with whiskey on her breath
Like a smoke ring through the key hole creeping in like death
Sometimes she is a fog horn, sounding in the dark
Drowning all the darkness in her heart
So help me God, to kill the Devil’s tongue
The sins of father, sins of the son
You really had a plan when you cursed every man
With everything he had to have but one
A bullet that could kill the Devil’s tongue
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9. |
Someday Soon
03:41
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Someday soon will come the day we’ll do what heroes do
Someday soon will be time to tell the story
How we hoisted up the sails boys what else could we do
Set the wheel between the sky and the glory
Someday soon I’ll find the kin that I’m suppose to be
If the whiskey and the cigarettes don’t get me first
Someday soon you’ll be as free as the ghost of Henry Lee
And you’ll find the man to drown that mighty thirst.
A thousand miles from any land
Rebels each and every man
What else are we good for but laying down in vain
Someone said the king was dead
They put a price on every head
Never are we goin’ back again
Someday soon I’ll be home in that County Wicklow town
Someday soon the queen will never find me
If we make it all the way we’ll collect a little pay
Keep a bullet in my pocket to remind me
We’ll be at home in the promise land
Just like the one that I had planned
Be pullin’ on the line my friend there’s weather off the bow
You’re telling me the end was near
Goin’ on now twenty years
But here we are still standing some how
Here we are still standing some how
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10. |
Keepin' the Faith
03:58
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Here we are my friend, a vanishing breed
Kissed by the curse of then case we plead
To follow the truth and follow your heart
And never let a good time tear us apart
Well the walking dead they rule the world
If you’re breathin’ you know what I mean
Don’t know how they can live with the secrets they keep
If only they was dogs we could put them to sleep
So turn off your damn television
And sing like a man on a mission
One more glass for the boys in the band
Don’t let this time go to waste
It’s a night that’ll turn some boy to a man
And he’ll always remember the taste
And the friends who are keepin’ the faith
Now that girl knows just what she wants in a man
The best damn provider she can stand
If you got you a house and a car and a cow
And all the cash that the law will allow
If she hits you with something strong
You can crawl back here where you belong
It’s one more glass for the boys in the band
Don’t let this time go to waste
It’s a night that’ll turn some boy to a man
And he’ll always remember the taste
And the friends who are keepin’ the faith
Now I got my ticket and I got my bail
Just in case we end up in the clink
It’s a grateful crowd that’ll sing us to jail
If we make ‘em all dance they might buy us a drink
If the wind turns cold tonight out on the sea
Say a prayer for the man who’s prayin’ for me
Well it’s one more glass for the boys in the band
Don’t let this time go to waste
It’s a night that’ll turn some boy to a man
And he’ll always remember the taste
And the friends who are keepin’ the faith
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11. |
Highlands
04:32
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Ten years on Van Dieman’s island poor ol' Irish soul
Dreamin' of the girl in the black velvet gown
And the promise of pirates gold
Wait for me my queen of diamonds wait in a northern town
Until I see the great white steed and the long black velvet gown
Ride me high tonight my Patty ride me on your way
Bring your lace and diamonds I'll marry you some day
Ride the wind tonight oh Patty away from a northern town
Fly me home to the highlands and I'll lay thy body down
Sing the song of the blackbird for we fly in a murder of crows
Sing the song of the blackbird sing it soft and low
Free from prison island where my faith oh it never did roam
Far from the girl in the black velvet gown who
calls the highlands home
Ride me high tonight my Patty ride me on your way
Bring your lace and diamonds I'll marry you some day
Ride the wind tonight oh Patty away from a northern town
Fly me home to the highlands and I'll lay thy body down
We raid the seven seas for glory searching high and low
All in the name of St. Patrick whiskey guns and gold
Pray for me fair maiden for the years shall come and go
Wait for me in a northern bay at the corner castle stone
Ride me high tonight my Patty ride me on your way
Bring your lace and diamonds I'll marry you some day
Ride the wind tonight oh Patty away from a northern town
Fly me home to the highlands and I'll lay thy body down
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12. |
Blaze of Glory
04:30
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He use to be a lucky man everybody called him friend
He traveled the world all over around and back again
The finest girl on every street would wind up on his arm
All well to do and beautiful too with a race horse in the barn
Then he stumbled in to the valley of sin
And everybody there claimed they knew him when
He went down in a blaze of glory
He went down in a burst of flame
Just like an old familiar story
Some things are never gonna change
If we had a rowboat in the middle of a angry sea
With a anchor ‘round our ankles to drown our misery
We’d say a toast to the memory of the saints who died in vain
And smash that whisky on the rocks if we ever got back again
Well it’s not so easy when a man’s got to choose
Between nothin’ left and nothin’ left to loose
Goin’ down in a blaze of glory
Goin’ down in a burst of flame
Like the ones who came before me
Wouldn’t have it any other way
You and I well we could light the sky
Just like a flash from the brightest star in the night
Let's go down in a blaze of glory
We'll go down in a burst of flame
Like a heart breaking story
Maybe someday we’ll meet again
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13. |
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When the party hit full swing I saw you come reelin' in
Had that six-pack in a stranglehold
Now you swagger, now you sway, why don't ya fall the other way
I've got somethin' here worth more than gold
Don't sit on my Jimmy Shands
Don't sit on my Jimmy Shands
They don't mend with sticky tape and glue
Don't sit on my Jimmy Shands
Don't sit on my Jimmy Shands
That's my very best advice to you
Call me precious, I don't mind 78's are hard to find
Just can't get good shellac since the war
This one's the Beltona brand finest label in the land
They don't make 'em like that any more
Don't sit on my Jimmy Shands
Don't sit on my Jimmy Shands
They don't mend with sticky tape and glue
Don't sit on my Jimmy Shands
Don't sit on my Jimmy Shands
That's my very best advice to you
Darlin' though you’re twice my size I don't mean to patronize
Honey let me lead you by the hand
Find a lap or find a chair you can park it anywhere
Just don't rest your cheeks against my man
Don't sit on my Jimmy Shands
Don't sit on my Jimmy Shands
They don't mend with sticky tape and glue
Don't sit on my Jimmy Shands
Don't sit on my Jimmy Shands
That's my very best advice to you
No shindig is half complete without that famous polka beat
That's why they invite me I suppose
Waltzes, strathspeys, eights and reels
Now you know how good it feels
Crank the handle boys away she goes
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The Elders Kansas City, Missouri
The Elders were founded in 1998 by six musicians with a passion for music rooted in Irish jigs & reels & American folk rock. Their original songs offer delightful story lines, with vibrant narratives that explore history, legends, tall tales and true-life experiences ... more
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