It wasn't the ferry to Dublin
Arrival at last on your shore
It wasn't the shamrock awaiting
On each pint of Guinness you pour

It was Oonagh and Anne in Kilkenny
It was Seamus and Patrick in Cork
It was Callum in Limerick, Aoefe in Galway
And the folk of this island, for sure

And the folk of this island, for sure

Oh, Ireland, oh, Ireland, no wonder my roots
Were never in briefcases, never in suits
Of New York or London, or Paris, no thanks
But down by the Blackwater Banks

And it wasn't the pride of East Belfast
With its red, white, and blue to the floor
It wasn't the calls from Divis to Falls
Of 'No, nay, never, no more'

It was Barry and James up in Derek
As we finally headed back east
And reluctantly boarded our ferry
Each time, you felt closer to peace

Each time, you felt closer to peace

Oh, Ireland, oh, Ireland, no wonder my roots
Were never in briefcases, never in suits
Of New York or London, or Paris, no thanks
But down by the Blackwater Banks

Oh, woah-oh
Woah, oh

I've pedalled from Larne down to Wexford
Via Roscommon, Galway, and Clare
And Tipperary's so far, 'cause every damn bar
Is pulling and diverting you there

It was Tully's in Kinvara, Murphy's in Thomastown
In Cahir, the old Punter's Rest
In Ireland, you mention you're leaving
And the likelihood seems to get less

Oh, Ireland, oh, Ireland, no wonder my roots
Were never in briefcases, never in suits
Of New York or London, or Paris, no thanks
But down by the Blackwater Banks

Down by the Blackwater Banks

Down by the Liffey
Down by the Shannon
Down by the Blackwater Banks