Testo Blackwater Banks

It wasn't the ferry to Dublin
Arrival at last on your shore
It wasn't the shamrock awaiting
On each pint of Guinness you poured

It was Una and Anne in Kilkenny
It was Seamus and Patrick in Cork
It was Callum in Limerick, Aoife in Galway And the folk of this island for sure
And the folk of this island for sure

Oh Ireland, oh Ireland, no wonder my roots
Were never in briefcases, never in suits
Of New York or London or Paris – no thanks
But down by the Blackwater Banks

It wasn't the pride of East Belfast
With its red, white and blue to the floor
It wasn't the calls, from Divis to Falls
Of "No, nay, never no more"

It was Barry and James up in Derry
As we finally headed back east And reluctantly boarded our ferry
Each time you felt closer to peace
Each time you felt closer to peace

Oh Ireland, oh Ireland no wonder my roots
Were never in briefcases, never in suits
Of New York or London or Paris – no thanks
But down by the Blackwater Banks

I've pedalled from Larne down to Wexford
Via Roscommon, Galway and Clare
And Tipperary's so far 'cos every damn bar
Is pulling and diverting you there!
It was Tully's in Kinvara and Murphy's in Thomastown
In Cahir, the old Punter's Rest
In Ireland you mention you're leaving
And the likelihood seems to get less

Oh Ireland, oh Ireland no wonder my roots
Were never in briefcases, never in suits
Of New York or London or Paris – no thanks
But down by the Blackwater Banks
Down by the Blackwater Banks
Down by the Liffey
Down by the Shannon
Down by the Blackwater Banks