Christy Moore - St. Brendan's Voyage lyrics

A boat sailed out of Brandon
In the year of 501
'twas a damp and dirty mornin'
Brendan's voyage it began
Tired of thinnin' turnips and
Cuttin' curley kale
When he got back from the creamery
He hoisted up the sail
He ploughed a lonely furrow
To the north, south, east and west
Of all the navigators, St
Brendan was the best when he ran
Out of candles he was forced to make a stop
He tied up in Long Island and
Put America on the map

Did you know that Honolulu was
Found by a Kerryman
Who went on to find Australia
Then China and Japan
When he was touchin' 70
He began to miss the crack
Turnin' to his albatross he
Sez "I'm headin' back"
To make it fast he bent the
Mast and built up mighty steam
Around Terra del Fuego and up
The warm Gulf Stream
He crossed the last horizon
Mt brandon came in sight
And when he cleared the customs
Into Dingle for the night
When he got the Cordon Bleu he
Went to douse the drought
He headed west to Kruger's to
Murder pints of stout
Around by Ballyferriter and up the Conor Pass
He freewheeled into Brandon
The saint was home at last
The entire population came
(281) the place was chock-a-block
Love nor money wouldn't get your
Nose inside the shop

The fishermen hauled up their nets
The farmers left their hay
Kerry people know that saints don't
Turn up every day
Everythin' was goin' great 'til
Brendan did announce
His reason for returnin' was to
Try and set up house
The girls were flabbergasted at
St bredan's neck to seek a wife so late in
Life and him a total wreck
Worn down by rejection that
Pierced his humble pride

"Begod", sez Brendan "If I run
I'll surely catch the tide"
Turnin' on his sandals he made
Straight for the docks
And haulin' up his anchor he
Cast off from the rocks
As he sailed past Inishvickallaun
There stood the albatross
"I knew you'd never stick it out
'tis great to see you boss"
"I'm bailin' out" sez Brendan
"I badly need a break
A fortnight is about as much as
Any aul saint could take"

"Is it right or left for Gibraltar"
"What tack do I take for Mizen Head?"
"I'd love to settle down near Ventry Harbour"
St brendan to his albatross he said
- Kruger Kavanagh's
The 'Nearest pub to the States'