Christy Moore - Joxer Goes to Stuttgart lyrics

It was in the year of '88
In the lovely month of June
When the gadflies were swarming and
Dogs howling at the moon
With rosary beads and sandwiches
For Stuttgart we began
Joxer packed his German phrasebook and
Jumpleads for the van

Some of the lads had never
Been away from home before
'Twas the first time Whacker put
His foot outside of Inchicore
Before we left for Europe we
Knew we'd need a plan
So we all agreed that Joxer was
The man to drive the van

In Germany the autobahn
'twas like the Long Mile Road
There was every make of car and
Van all carrying the full load
Ford Transit's and Hiaces and an
Old Bedford from Tralee
With the engine overheating from
Longhauling duty free
There was fans from Ballyfermot
Ballybough and Ballymun
On the journey of a lifetime
And the craic was ninety-one
Joxer met a German's daughter on the
Banks of the river Rhine
And he told her she'd be
Welcome in Ballyfermot any time

As soon as we found Stuttgart we
Got the wagons in a ring
Sean Og got out the banjo
And Peter played the mandolin
There was fans there from everywhere
Attracted by the sound
At the first Fleadh Ceoil in Europe
And Joxer passed the flagon round

But the session it ended when
We'd finished all the stout
The air mattresses inflated and the
Sleeping bags rolled out
As one by one we fell asleep
Joxer had a dream
He dreamt himself and Jack Charlton sat
Down to pick the team

Joxer dreamt they both agreed
On Packie Bonner straightaway
And that Moran
Whelan and McGrath were certainly to play
But tempers they began to rise
And patience wearing thin
Jack wanted Cascarino but Joxer wanted Quinn

The dream turned into a nightmare
Joxer stuck the head on Jack
Who wanted to bring Johnny Giles
And Eamon Dunphy back
The cock crew in the morning
It crew both loud and shrill
Joxer woke up in his sleeping bag
Many miles from Arbour Hill

The next morning none of the experts
Gave us the slightest chance
They said the English team would lead
Us on a merry dance
With their Union Jacks all them English
Fans for victory they were set
Until Ray Houghton got the ball and
He stuck it in the net

What happened next is history
Brought tears to many eyes
That day will be the highlight
Of many people's lives
Joxer climbed right over the top and
The last time he was seen
Was arm in arm with Jack Charlton singing
Revenge for Skibereen

Now Whacker's back in Inchicore
He's living with his mam
And Jack Charlton has been
Proclaimed an honorary Irishman
Do you remember that German's daughter on
The banks of the river Rhine
Well, didn't she show up in
Ballyfermot last week and