Encore

When I first heard Tommy Makem and the Clancy's my future it was sealed

I was bitten by the ballad bug and since then the wound has never healed

When I got my first guitar my fingers bled until I learned a chord or two

I pulled on my aran sweater, wrote my Ma a goodbye letter

And started throwing shapes in O'Donoghue's

I've played every lounge in Ireland from Dingle right up to Donegal

I've sung Nancy Spain on stages

Where no other ballad singers play at all

From the rising sun in Brownstown to the Blue Lagoon above in Sligo Town

Ballymurphy and the Bogside, Ballinamore

And even once in Ballinasloe

If I get an encore I go home feeling like a king

It's a two way situation I get a lot of pleasure when I sing

I played cabaret in Bundoran, and marquees for Father Horan

And I once stood in for Johnny McEvoy

From Berlin to San Francisco I've gone on before the disco

Lashing out the four green fields of Athenry

Mountbellew was like purgatory but Tulsk was just like being in hell

I've received my education in the lounges of the nation

After 25 years I am doing well

If I get an encore I go home feeling like a king

It's a two way situation I get a lot of pleasure when I sing

I was playing in the Meeting place when half the Special Branch came in the door

They were looking for an outlaw

He stole their trousers back in 1984

They started listening to my songs and hung around till after the show

If I ever need a taxi plate or a massage at a special rate

They're the boys to tell me where to go

If I get an encore I go home feeling like a king

It's a two way situation I get a lot of pleasure when I sing