THE BOYS OF KILLYBEGS
There are wild and rocky hills on the coast of DonegalAnd her fishermen are hardy, brave and free
And the big Atlantic swell is a thing they know right well
As they fight to take a living from the sea
Chorus:
With a pleasant rolling sea and the herring running free
And the fleet all riding gently through the foam
When the boats are loaded down, there'll be singing in the town
When the boys of Killybegs come rolling home
Well, you don your rubber boots and you've got your
oilskins on
And you check your gear to see that it's okay
And your jumper keep you warm, for it's cold before the dawn
Then you're ready to begin another day
Chorus
Now, you're headed out to sea and the wind is blowing
free
And you cast your nets as rain begins to fall
But, the sun comes riding high and the clouds will soon roll by
And today you'll maybe take a bumper haul
Chorus
When the weather's blowing rough, then the work is
very tough
And the ropes will raise the welts upon your hands
But you'll never leave the sea, for whoever you may be
When it's in your blood, it's hard to live on land
Chorus
Oh, there's purple on the hills and there's green down
by the shore
And the sun has spilled his gold upon the sea
And there's silver down below, where the herring fishes go
When we catch them, we'll have gold for you and me
Chorus
- Words and music by Tommy Makem
On Oct. 31, 1974
On a plane from Vancouver to Boston
Copyright 1975