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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Lyrics © 2009 The Sandcarvers

Cryin’ Loud

Electric lines go singing by
As the echoes of your howling cries
Fill my foggy head this lucid morning
I thought of clichés on this train
That’ll take me back to the farm again
And Johnny Cash is lookin’ down and smilin’

I wonder if you’ll be there with your sauerkraut
I wonder if your mama will be cryin’ loud

Damn I miss home
And you don’t know half of what’s goin’ on
I missed your call
Instead I’ll head out tonight
To a prairie bar fight and then home

Fresh fed fields exhale on by
The cadence of this motor glide
Daystar warms my face from a tremblin’ shiver
This darkened door’s a familiar place
Prodigal son full of grace
A Sunday’s child just home for some meat pie
I wonder if you’ll be there with your smelly dog
I wonder if your mama will be cryin’ loud

Damn I miss home
And you don’t care half of what’s goin’ on
I missed your call
Instead I’ll head out tonight
Gonna shoot out the lights and then home

I wonder if you’ll be there pruning an English rose
I wonder if your mama will be cryin’ loud

Damn I miss home
And you don’t know half of what’s goin’ on
I missed your call
Instead I’ll head out tonight to a prairie bar fight
Yes I’ll head out tonight gonna shoot out the lights
And head home

Truth Be Told

I first learned at my school right after the golden rule
Blonde Kelly had took by my side and said she was to kiss me
She took me by the hand right proudly I did stand
Till everyone gathered around and threw me in the briars

I was the one who was your friend
(All that mattered then)
Brambled the boy desires descend
Shove me down, holy ground
Fool me into Charlie Brown
Deceit and the truth be told

University, opportunity time’s a changing boy
You better now get to courtin’
Red Molly had took by my side thinkin’ that I was blind
You slept with the college you whore
And left me to the ashes

I was the one who was your friend
(All that mattered then)
Brambled the boy desires descend
Shove me down, holy ground
Fool me into Charlie Brown
Deceit and the truth be told

Now I’ve been around and I ain’t your clown
You had your chance with me your fallacy to society
And now the truth be told and all your grace exposed
The hair of the dog of the day has never been as sweeter

I was the one who was your friend
(All that mattered then)
Brambled the boy desires descend
Shove me down, holy ground
Fool me into Charlie Brown
Deceit and the truth be told

Shove me down, holy ground
Fool me into Charlie Brown
Deceit and the truth be told

Girls of the Clare

Tonight I’m headed out on a tear
My throat is thirsty there’s grease in my hair
I’m out with the noise and the boys and the dares
To find us the girls of the Clare
Forget what you know of envy and lust
Forgotten two sins how lucky for us
Capital Limmerick just to the south
To find us the girls of the Clare

It’s time to play the usual game
With people without a conscience or shame
To wake up alone you’re only to blame
When out with the girls of the Clare
I’ll probably spend a whole week of pay
There’s more in the bank so I’ll be o.k.
It’s worth the whole thing for a roll in the hay
With one of the girls of the Clare

CHORUS
Tell me are you ready
Tell me do you dare
Forty-six miles of Emerald Isle
Waiting are girls of the Clare

Tonight I’ll find the special one
The one wide-eyed on Limmerick’s son
She’ll tell all the girls with the curls that she’s done
With fun with the girls of the Clare
She’s finally found her handsome lad
One to bring home to mother and dad
Not like the pub boys and usual cads
Who run with the girls of the Clare

CHORUS
Tonight I’m headed out on a tear
My throat is thirsty there’s grease in my hair
I’m out with the noise and the boys and the dares
To find us the girls of the Clare
I’m searching for that special mate
And soon to wed I just can’t wait
A sizable dowry too will be great
Thanks to the girls of the Clare

CHORUS X2

Rowdy’s Pub

I know everyone sittin’ in the seats of Rowdy’s Pub
It’s not hard once you go there to know everyone
Cheap women, blokes and booze fill the walls of Rowdy’s Pub
It’s filth and noise and absence of poise
Make it a favorite for all my chums
Chum a lum, lum, lum, lum, lum
Chum a lum, lum, lum, lum

Here we are another night sittin’ in the seats of Rowdy’s Pub
Tellin’ lies through wide eyes and diggin’ on everyone
You know the place full of sinner’s fun, son?
Things, crowned kings and discarded rings
It’s a favorite place for all my chums

CHORUS
Well, Rowdy ain’t with us anymore
His body we laid to rest
But his legacy lives on forever
In the place that we love the best

I invited a yuppie buddy of mine down to Rowdy’s Pub
One look around at the sights and at everyone
He said, I don’t believe you brought me here to this filthy pub
Disco balls, dancin’ halls and all kinds of trendy clubs

That we could be seen at
Come on, Georgie a trendy club?
I’d rather be sittin’ my ass down here at Rowdy’s Pub
Where wild things, crowned kings and discarded rings
Are a favorite place for all my chums
Chum a lum, lum, lum, lum, lum
Chum a lum, lum, lum, lum

CHORUS
After a movie, brought my new girl down to Rowdy’s Pub
We walked in, my name in unison by everyone (Millhouse!)
She said, I can’t believe you brought me down here to this Irish pub
Man, my whole family owns Rowdy’s Pub yeah, yeah
Chum a lum, lum, lum, lum, lum
Chum a lum, lum, lum, lum

CHORUS (X3)

(Staring at the) Backroom (of the Ale House on a Friday Night)

The Night Before

Slits of light appearing right before my eyes
Focus coming slowly to my mind
Details are sketchy few and far between
Feelin’ like I’m two steps behind
Last thing I remember I was at the corner tap
Drinking off the troubles of my day
Then something ‘bout a girl, some Jamo and some dice
Now my memory has gone away
Waking to another hazy morning
Coming to upon the cold kitchen floor
Who owns the cat that took a crap in my mouth?
Somebody tell me please what I did the night before

Road trip down to Fishers with my best friends
Stop by Fionn MacCool’s for two or three
Wait staff invites us to an after-hours joint
Surely must have been a sight to see
Cause now I can’t remember how I got back here
Or why there’s a sock on the door
Something ‘bout a stripper, a c-note and a fight
I just can’t take this anymore

Another festive Indiana morning
Fell asleep upon the hotel hallway floor
Lean Cuisine defrosting on my forehead
Somebody tell me please what I did the night before

Her lips were pink like a horse’s dink
And her hair was horseshit brown
Her tits hung loose like the belly on a goose
And Grandma knocked him down
Now how will I explain this crag on my forehead
And why my legs are bruised to the ground
I need to change the ways of my wicked days
And finally settle on down

House party left my keys in the punch bowl
Nothing bad happening tonight
Johnny Red’s along to keep my ass in line
Somehow that didn’t turn out right
Cause now there’s broken art behind the sofa
And passed people i don’t even know
Some sick chick didn’t make the bathroom
And there’s some angry voice mail on my cell phone

Waking up without a stitch of clothing
What’s that purple thing inside your top dresser drawer
Are you Michelle or do I have that backwards
Can you tell me please what a did the night before

Sucking down a ton of ibuprofen
When did waking up become such a chore
Crazy glue has sealed up both my eye lids
All because of what I did the night before
I really need to know what I did the night before
Someone tell me please what I did the night before

Primrose Path

I didn’t care when the door hit me, babe
Where the sun don’t shine
I had it coming, i’m thumbin’, strummin’, bummin’, runnin’
Into the city lights
So go fight for yourself, I’m gone
Abusing me with neglect is wrong
While I, all the while I sit at home

Down the primrose path
Down the primrose path
I took a walk and it’ll be my last
Down the primrose path

Baby, please don’t do this to me
So said my tele said
Two years of fightin’, cryin’, I’m dyin’, you’re lyin’, I’m tryin’
To understand my man
Now you’re turning your back on me
As I watch you walk away
Never once to cease
And never stray

Down the primrose path
Down the primrose path
I took a walk and it’ll be my last
Down the primrose path

Don’t regret your confession
Don’t regret your confession
Don’t regret your confession
Don’t regret your confession

Shut you out you pushed back in, babe
Everything’s at stake
This mighty flight, I’ll try and make it right, baby
Not make the same mistake
So put your trust in the fate that drew us
Not that shoved away
Then that stroll we two will take

Down the primrose path
Down the primrose path
I took a walk and it’ll be my last
Down the primrose path

John Barleycorn Must Die

There were three men come out of the west
Their fortunes for to try
Then these three men made a solemn oath
That John Barleycorn must die
They plowed, they sowed, they harrowed him in
Throwing clods all at his head
Then these three men made a solemn oath
And John Barleycorn was dead

They left him in the ground a long, long time
Till the rains from heaven did fall
Then little sir john sprung up his head
And so amazed them all
They left him there till Midsummer’s Day
Till he’s grown both pale and wan
Then little Sir John grew a long, long beard
And so became a man

They hired men with the scythes so sharp
To cut him off at the knee
They bound him and tied him around his waist
Serving him most barbarously
They hired men with the sharp pitch forks
To prick him through the heart
But the drover served him worse than that
For he bound him to the cart

They rolled him around and around the field
Till they came unto a barn
Then these three made a solemn mow
Out of little John Barleycorn
They hired men with the crab-tree sticks
To strip him skin from bone
But the miller served him worse than that
For he ground him between two stones

Here’s little Sir John in the nut-brown bowl
And brandy in the glass
But little Sir John in the nut-brown bowl
Proved the stronger man at last
For the huntsman he can’t hunt the fox
Nor loudly blow his horn
And the tinker can’t mend his kettles or pots
Without a little John Barleycorn
No the tinker can’t mend his kettles of pots
Without a little John Barleycorn

Minstrels and Troubadours

At a pub in Kilkenny called Finnean’s Gold
A busker strolls in to shake off the cold
He’s met with stunned silence and curious stares
All thanks to his clothes and unusual hair
He asks for the owner and says he will wait
He’s got no where to go so as long as it takes
He’ll sit there and warm his feet by the fire
Tell the owner that I am a worker for hire

Well the owner comes out and asks what’s the deal
Is that hanrahan trying to snag a free meal
The busker says no sir I need a minute or two
I have a favor to ask and an offer for you
I need food and drink and a bed for the night
And I’ll barter my services if that’s all right
The owner asks bluntly what’s in it for me
Then he opens his case and says just wait and see
I’m a minstrel, a troubadour, a singer of songs
And if you know the words, would you kindly sing along
With a tip in my cap and a gleam in my eye
I’ll be a minstrel, a troubadour till the day that I die

So the busker tunes up and starts up the show
He plays song after song that the crowd would all know
He tells stories and jokes and limericks galore
And plays hour after hour with the crowd wanting more
He plays one last set plus and encore or two
And says my dear friends I must bid you adieu
I’m glad you had fun this night and I’ll bet
It’s one that neither of us soon will forget

I’m a minstrel, a troubadour, a singer of songs
Yes you knew the words and you gladly sang along
You put joy in my heart and friends that is why
I’ll be a minstrel and troubadour till the day that I die

Morning soon comes the busker will rise
With Megan, the bar maid, asleep by his side
He crawls out of bed and tries not to wake
The lovely young lass who’s night he did make
But wake her he does and she looks surprised
She asks where he’s off to with tears in her eyes
He says I must roam to the next little town
But eventually to America I too will be bound

She begs him to stay and play one more night
He kisses her softly and says it’s all right
I just cannot stay in one place for too long
And each stop becomes a new line in a song
I certainly hope that you understand
For I am the music that travels the land
Yes I am the wind on the road I must stay
But I promise to come back and see you someday

‘Cause I’m a minstrel, a troubadour, a singer of songs
And on the open road is where I belong
So I’ll say till then for there’s no goodbye
I’ll be a minstrel, a troubadour till the day that I die

Yes I’m a minstrel, a troubadour, a singer of songs
And on the open road is where I belong
So I’ll say till then for there’s no goodbye
I’ll be a minstrel, a troubadour till the day that I die

Reilly’s Daughter

As I was sitting by the fire
Drinkin’ suds and eatin’ kruellers
Suddenly a thought came into my mind
I’d like to marry old Reilly’s daughter

CHORUS
Giddy a-hay, giddy a-hay, giddy a-hay for the one-eyed reilly
Giddy a-hay
Play it on your old bass drum

Reilly played on the big bass drum
Reilly had a mind for murder and slaughter
Reilly had a bright red glistening eye
And he kept his eye on his lovely daughter

CHORUS

Her hair was black and her eyes were blue
The colonel and the major and the captain sought her
The sergeant and the private and the drummer boy, too
But they never had a chance with Reilly’s daughter

CHORUS

I got me a ring and a parson, too
Got me a scratch in a married quarter
Settled me down for a beautiful life
Happy as a king with Reilly’s daughter

CHORUS

I caught old Reilly by the hair
Dunked his head into a pail of water
Fired his pistols in the air
A damned sight quicker than I married his daughter

CHORUS X2

Welcome Inside

I was whistlin’ down the street just the other day
Skippin’ over the cracks you know what they say
I had a mind to look up I could feel your green eyes
In a cork born tone said welcome inside

Well I didn’t know the first thing about you love
And I didn’t know what to expect
But the Jameson poured right past our lips
And I wasn’t ready for the effect

Kick up your heels, jigs and reels
I’ll dance all day through four green fields
Bungle rye, kilt in the sky
Back of your throat with shepherd’s pie
Spirit within, whistle of tin
Peat in the fire, rigorous wind
Ly di hi yi ho

Visce beatha! That’s the water of life
Some bodhran drums, some bubble gum and an old wood fife
When she took to the stage they could see her green eyes
And the band changed tunes to my surprise

She says, hey lad! Are you ready for me?
Let’s go to my bungalow on down the street
I had a mind to look up beneath her green eyes
My fair skin lass says welcome inside

Old Dun Cow

Some friends and I at an Irish pub
Played dominoes last night
When all of the sudden in rushed the porter
His face up like a kite
What’s up said brown have you seen your Aunt
Have you seen your Aunt Mariah
Well Aunt Mariah be blown says he
The bleeding pub’s on fire
On fire said Brown, what a bit of luck
Everybody follow me
We’ll go down to the cellar where the fire’s not there
And we’ll have a rare old treat
So we all went down behind old Brown
And the beer we couldn’t miss
And we hadn’t been ten minutes there
Till we were all like this
CHORUS
And there was Brown upside down
Mopping up the liquor on the floor
Well a spool, spool the firemen cried
As they came knocking on the door
Well don’t let ‘em in till it’s all mopped up
Somebody shouted McIntyre
And we all got blue blind paralytic drunk
When the bleeding pub caught fire
Well Johnny went to the port wine tub
And he gave it a few hard knocks
Then he started taking off his pantaloons
Like shorts and shoes and socks
What’s up said Paddy are you gonna soak your feet
Or bring the bloody pub in here
Don’t soak your trotters in the port wine tub
When we got this old stale beer
CHORUS
Well all of the sudden there’s a terrible crash
Half the bloody roof fell away
And we were drowned by the fireman’s hose
Yet determined to stay
So we got some sacks and some old brass tacks
And we nailed ourselves inside
And we sat there drinking our pitchers of Guinness
Till we were blurry-eyed
CHORUS X2

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Dealin’ Craic Lyrics – © 2006 Green Sand Musik

EMERALD ISLE

According to my family when I was just a lad
I never cared for anything that I’ve ever had
My heart was always searching for a better place to be
So when I finally came of age I headed out to sea

Emerald Isle where I was born
I may miss thee when I’m gone
Though the stone that’s full of blarney is such a sight to see
There’s a bright and bonny world out there waiting just for me

I landed first in Scotland whose hills are lush and green
But I spent more time in a B&B I found in Aberdeen
That was thanks to a lovely lass who took my breath away
And after her bad haggis I was sick for ninety days

Next stop for me was London and I was met by old Big Ben
But the grey and cloudy skies fall hard when you’re without a friend
Yes Piccadilly Circus is quite a wild scene
But there’s just so many times a man can hear “God Save The Queen”

CHORUS
Emerald Isle where I was born
I may miss thee when I’m gone
Though the walls of Castle Lismore are full of history
There’s a bright and bonny world out there waiting just for me

I spent some dandy time in Spain and frequented Madrid
There’s kids around so I can’t tell exactly what I did
Let’s just say there’s a seniorita with memories of me
And her name’s with me forever with my tattoo of sweet Marie

Portugal was right next door so that was next to view
Beautiful as it may be there’s not one thing to do
Founded by the Celts (Right on!) in 300 B.C.
I see now why they left it there; it’s not my cup of tea

CHORUS
Emerald Isle where I was born
I may miss thee when I’m gone
Though the sands of Rosslare Harbor are as white as white can be
There’s a bright and bonny world out there waiting just for me

Four and twenty months have I wandered
Up and down the coastline I have roamed
And the wonders I have witnessed in my travels
Lead me that much closer to home

CHORUS
Emerald Isle I’m coming home
And I have missed thee while I’ve been gone
Though the world is full of wonders the one thing I have seen
Is I belong in the land of Eire that’s so a part of me

Oh Emerald Isle I’m coming home
And yes I’ve missed thee while I’ve been gone
Yes the farther I have wandered now I can clearly see
That I belong with the ones I love and with my family

ANNIE McGREW

Oh Annie, who died today?
I saw you walkin’ beside the graves
Up past the church where everyone cries
They’re settin’ for the wake, and they won’t mind

CHORUS
They’ll pass some to you
A couple of pints and a growler of booze
My family’s heartache’s got nothin’ to do
With the gracing presence of Annie McGrew

Oh Annie, who’s wedding’s today?
Ten miles of walking from Derry Quay
Up past the church where everyone grins,
And to the hall for the first one upon your binge

CHORUS
They’ll pass some to you
A couple of pints and a growler of booze
My brother’s reception’s got nothin’ to do
With the gracing presence of Annie McGrew

The town folks gossip about why you’re there
Uninvited but you go without a care
To the wakes and weddings and all the county fairs
Just a few more to ignore their obvious stares

Oh Annie, where were you today?
You missed two weddings and the mayor’s wake
We thought you’d be here for your share of the brew
But today’s the day you left us dear Annie McGrew

CHORUS
They’ll pass some to you
Your coffin’s filled up with growlers of booze
My family’s heartbroke and that’s all to do
With the final passing of Annie McGrew

KING’S CROWN

I can do anything, when I’m on the tear
Bench press my rust bucket Ford ten feet in the air
I’ll down two Guinness, for your every one
Kiss the pretty girls on the lips and when it’s said and done…

CHORUS
I’m taller than the Titanic and I’ll sink ‘em just as quick
Shot for shot with any bloke ’til my liver turns red sick
Dance through my reel and jig, throw ‘em down twelve whiskeys brown
Maybe you’ll understand me girl as I wear this drunken crown

I can do anything when I’m on the tear
I been locked in a wine-o’s tank just on a stupid dare
So set ‘em up me lads I’m not to be outdone
And I ain’t gonna leave this stool while I’m on the run

CHORUS

King’s crown upon my head It’s woven in my hair
I can do anything when I’m on the tear
The devil has came for me I’ll bid you blokes farewell
I don’t see those pearly gates I’m headed straight for…

CHORUS

HIDEAWAY

Sun and sand in a foreign land
Duty bound in a phony war
Red X marks another wasted day
Still don’t know what we’re fighting for

Looking to make some sense of it all
And for answers I may never find
Searching for reasons why we’re all still here
And to get a little peace of mind

CHORUS
Happiness is just a memory away
In my heart and my mind is where you stay
Until I’m home forever
You are my hideaway

I close my eyes and there you are
You’re my dream’s one and only star
You’re my heart, my soul, my everything
You are my hideaway

Look at you holding it together
Fighting tears you won’t let them see
Wearing every hat upon the rack
You’re stronger than I could ever be

A loving wife without her man
Raising a son without his dad
You knew that this could happen
But you never thought it could be this bad

CHORUS
Happiness is just a memory away
In your heart and your mind is where I’ll stay
Until I’m in your arms again
I’ll be your hideaway

Time and tide may keep us far
But I’m still there wherever you are
Now and forever more my love
I’ll be your hideaway

Little man growing up too fast
Time I know is forever lost
Man of the house till I return
But we both know that Mom is boss

I only pray that you’re proud of me
And someday you will understand
Sacrifice and honor are both things
That help you one day to become a man

TRAMPOLINE

As I sit, alone as I can be
I found out how drunk one man can be
Another cigarette it burns down
Another shot, now the ground

CHORUS
Trampoline, god let this be free from me
Trampoline, god let this be free from me

Lay on my back, cool grass under me
I awake from my coldest dream
I awoke on your trampoline

CHORUS

Remember those two looks that said farewell to me?
Morning’s mud black eyes set my body free
Her magic raven hair slept under me
And I walked away from your trampoline

My soberness is somber
Her memory’s a closed door
Is that what my coming home is supposed to be for?

As I sit, alone as I can be
I found out how drunk one man can be
Another cigarette it burns down
Another shot, now the ground

CHORUS

THE RING

Never caught your name
Never smelled your hair
Never danced in the rain
In the Door County air
Never held your hand
While you were scared
I’m just wearing my ring

Driving back home
Thinking of you
Driving in my van on this road riding
Heading so far away from you
Never held your hand
While you cried
I’m still wearing my ring

Three weeks away
Hope to smell your hair
Maybe kiss in the rain
Have a dance in the moonlight air
Hope to hold your hand
While you smile
And you’ll be wearing my ring

LAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Typical work, typical day
I woke up yesterday morning in my usual way
Chug a little coffee, wolfed a lotta lunch
Some barking from my boss
I’m in my usual crunch
Not much motivation, not getting much done
Then the call came it made me grin
“Why don’t we stop for one?”

Well it started like any other
Went toward the city lights
Seemed like a good idea, even on a school night
“Sure I’ll stop for one!” (But that means two or three)
I soon found out I should have shut my mouth
(And had my doubts) about…

(CHORUS)
Last Wednesday Night
One or two of these I’ll be ‘Feelin’ Alright’
My friends are coming in, we’ll go to the twilight
‘Cause we don’t have to worry ’til the morning light

So we walked into the pub
Saw a typical crowd
We started off slow, didn’t mean to get too loud
But it was time to wind down, as I was gettin’ wound up
Then the crew came in, my friends and my kin
And so begins…

CHORUS

Well let’s order just one more
“You’re not walking out that door!” Too late it’s poured
And now you got to drink it
We’ll put our money in the slot
It’s time to crank that loud juke box
We know you’ll like this song a lot
And now you got to sing it

CHORUS

MILES AHEAD, MILES BEHIND

Gotta climb the mountain
I need to reach that star
With a little luck upon my side
The trip won’t be too far

Daddy told me son you go for your dreams
And I will stay right here by your side
Without your dreams a man ain’t worth a damn
Without the goal there ain’t no pride

(CHORUS)
Roll on down the road
Little voice says keep on going
Roll on down the line
‘Cause I can’t waste any more time
Miles ahead, miles behind
Miles ahead, miles behind

With the wind at my face
Blowing me two steps back
I know that I must stay focused now
To get me back on that track

Mama told son keep your eyes on the prize
You are young and you have time to burn
Now on the journey you may stumble you may fall
Just take with you those lessons learned

CHORUS

Bend me to your candlelight
Point me on my way
When I find what I’ve been searching for
I’ll be back with you to stay

Cassie tell me that you love me
And that you’ll always understand
A man’s got to do what a man has got to do and lord knows
I’m only following destiny’s plan

CHORUS

TULLAMORE DEW

Moonshiner, moonshiner, oh how I love thee
I first fell in love, I was only nineteen
She wore a black velvet band
And she rode a top the Darby ram

(CHORUS)
It’s all for me grog, valley-o in the bog
Tim Finnegan’s wake, get your trotters to shake
Nancy, and Paddy, sip of Jameson, too
But nothing quite moves me like the Tullamore Dew

Drinking the cider, a rover who’s wilder
Been drunk on whiskey in the jar
Met the County Down’s star
Me brother Sylvest is a big strong man
And I sing ‘em best with a black and tan

CHORUS

To all of you, our dancing fans
Thank you for welcoming us, we’re the Sandcarver band
We sing of love, sadness and cheer
And we cannot wait to play back here

CHORUS

Hidey hidey hidey ho, people don’t you know
There’s nothing we like more
Than when you’re dancin’ for our show

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