Where the Ocean Meets the Green | Steve Pitkanen

Inspired by the story of my father-in-law's journey from Ireland to Canada.
Words and Music: Steve Pitkanen
Vocals: Steve Pitkanen
Verse 1:
I was born a son of Eireann
Where the ocean meets the green
And I walked these ancient hillsides
Since I was just a wee un
But the far away hills are greener.
To lads but seventeen
In ne’er been much for rovin’
But me mates were mighty keen.
Chorus:
Slainte boys of Ireland,
I’ll not say harm to thee.
Slainte girls of Ireland,
Though you scarce had time for me.
Beyont I heard a-callin’
“Your life lies oversea!”
You’ll find me on a hillside
Where the ocean meets the green.
Verse 2:
There’s no love lost with the preachers;
They ha’ spurned me heretofore.
Had they known what we was meanin’
They’d a’ drove us to the shore.
For we fixed ourselves to leavin’
To land called Labrador
Jump the boat train to the steamer
And the cross we’d sign no more.
Chorus
Verse 3:
A round o’ pints in early evenin’
Well, we may had more than few.
There we hatched our plan for leavin’
On the rails in mornin’ dew.
Say “goodbye,” boys, to your sweethearts
And your kinsfolk ‘bout the town.
On the morrow, we’ll be sailin’
And there’s naught can hold us down!
Chorus
Verse 4:
Come the morn was I a-waitin’
On the platform in the sun
For the boys I knew from wains
To be sure now there were none
When I heard that whistle blowin’
And the pistons pumpin’ hard
With heart both full and heavy
Did I heed the “All aboard!”
Chorus
Verse 5:
Some may say I’s wrong for leavin’
And ha’ no rights for return.
Though the far ‘way hills be greener.
Sure an old heart sets to yearn.
There’s no call now for regrettin’
Though I be ‘cross the sea.
So come lads raise a glass now
As I lay me down to sleep.

[@billdaly823]

Just awesome!

[@stevepitkanen1424]

Thanks, Bill.