In New York City I made my home

I loved the streets, the very stones

Cared for my comrades, cherished my friends

Loved all beginnings, had no time for ends



A city's streets are full of woe

I saw suffering where'er I'd go

I did my best to console and heal

Treat each human with full dignity



I never saw a reason to

Hate someone who thinks different than you

Each one has their anointed place

In the love reflected in their God's face



We all have sorrow, our share of trials

We all are sinners in each other's eyes

Love alone can heal the pain

God bestows love in so many ways



I love the company of friends

The fire and the music sparkling in their eyes

But I achieved my heart's desire

When I rode beside the ones who fight the fires



I have my failings and I have tried

To look them squarely in the eye

To be there when someone might call

For I know cruel well how hard it is to fall



As I arise on this September morn

The sun is beaming down, the streets are warm

God's in His heaven and all is well



I will go forth and do His will.



Livin' in America: 11 Years On

Oh, I took me chance

Up in the Bronx

Seven years ago to the day

Oh, I walked up to him

Said, "how're you doin'?"

Ever since it's been hell to pay

We moved in together

Oh, God, that fellah

Drove me to distraction and despair

But the sex was good

Like I knew it would be

Livin' in America



At first it was great

Out drinkin' all night

Fireworks back home in the bed

Then we got engaged

Oh god, what a cage

All she talked about was weddin' bells

We went home to The Coombe

A way too soon

The lads didn't know what to make of us

With our drinkin' and fightin'

And kissin' and cryin'

And livin' in America



I felt sick to me stomach

What the hell is wrong with it

Couldn't even look at a beer

When I went to the clinic

I just couldn't believe it

"Congratulations, my dear???"

He was decent enough

When I told him the truth

Said, "you know I always wanted to marry you"

But that night in the dark

I could tell that his heart

Was broken in America



I did the best that I could

Sweatin' hot tears and blood

Buildin' that house up in Pearl River

But everything changed

With each kid on the way

She took all the fun out of livin'

No more nights on the town

No, it's get your head down

It's all for the children and the future,

Oh Mammy dear, it's no fun over here

Livin' in America



Workin' like a madman morning noon and night

I need them couple of pints to make me feel alright

I never meant to stay late, it just turned out that way

I need some craic like all the lads before I'm old and gray



Lyin' in the bed, waitin' for your key

To turn in the lock, pretendin' I'm asleep

Oh, you want me now, despite me frozen tears

But there's more to life than makin' love to a drunk reekin' of beer



And now we're apart

Ah, it's breakin' me heart

The young one cries about him every day

I get out to the pub

A couple of times every month

I suppose I'm doin' okay

Young lads give me the eye

But I think that I'd die

If another man touched me that way

I'd give the world to talk to him

But he's here with his girlfriend

Livin' in Amerikay



Is that her over there

What's she done with her hair

Still there's no one holds a candle to her

Ah, jeez, she looks good

Just like I knew she would

"Do you come here often, stranger??

Can't we try once again

Can you get past the pain

Would it matter if I told you I adore you

Oh, darlin' me dear,

I still need you here

Livin' in America

Can I get you your coat

We can work it all out,

Livin' in America

Oh Mammy dear we're all mad over here

Livin' in America





Him: Listen, don't make a show of me, will you, the lads are all watchin'



Her: To hell with the lads, are you ever goin' to grow up? There's a couple of things you and I are goin' to have to sort out..



Him: Oh yeah? Like what?



Her: Give me a couple of weeks and I'll make up a list for you.



Him: I'm not givin' up me pint again, I tell you that right now.



Her: You and your pint!



Him: Jaysus, you're an awful woman, aren't you?



Her: It's you made me that way.



Him: Ah will you be quiet and give us an auld kiss



Her: A kiss is it? The head on you and the price of turnips…I should have listened to me Mammy…