All I Remember

(Album: Flying Into Mystery - 2021)

I was lured by the rocking horse
Sweets and the bualadh bos
Fifty wild boys to a room
Sing lámh, lámh eile, the dish ran away with the spoon
Black shoes and stockings for those who say don't
Blue is the colour outside
God made the world
The snake tempted Eve and she died
Wild Christian brothers sharpening their leathers
Learn it by heart, that's the rule
All I remember is dreading September and school

And they made me for better or worse
The fool that I am or the wise man I'll be
And they gave me their blessings or curse
It wasn't their fault I was me...
Not the one that you see

The priest in confession condemns my obsession
With thoughts that I do not invite
I mumble and stutter
He slams down the shutter
Goodnight (good night to you too, Father)
Stainless as steel
Lord, you know how I feel
Someone shoot me while my soul is clear
I don't think I'll last
But my vow to abstain was sincere
Arch-confraternity men to the fight
Raise up your banners on high
Searching for grace
Securing my place
When I die

Oh God, he kept a very close eye on me
Hung round my bed in the darkness, he spied on me
Caught me in the long grass so often, he died on me...

Ballrooms of romance in Salthill or Mallow
I stood like John Wayne by the wall
Lined up like cattle, we waited to do battle and fall
You can't wine and dine her in an old Morris Minor
So ask her before it's too late
I danced on girls' toes, accepted rejection as my fate
Drink was my saviour, it made me much braver
But I couldn't hold it too well
I slipped on the coach and ruined my approach as I fell