Lyrics to “The Galway Farmer” by Show of Hands
I work my days on a Galway farm
In the sun and rain, wind and storm.
But once a year I'll chance my arm,
And cross the sea to England.
I'll scrimp and save two thousand pounds,
Spend a week in Cheltenham town,
But the racing over all weighs down;
I come back poor from England.
I dreamed one night before I left
A coal-black mare with a white-star chest
Crosesd the line and beat the rest
I came back rich to Galway.
Rose at dawn, drove all day
Thinking, wond'ring all the way:
"Lady Luck have you come to stay,
To steal away my mourning?"
When I got to Cheltenham town,
Irish faces all around.
No bed, no mattress to be found;
I slept on the hillside.
Spent three days in the viewing ring,
Saw the horses as they lead in.
Just when I was giving in
I stood and stared in wonder.
With stamping hooves and steaming breath,
A coal-black mare with a white-star chest.
I ran my finger down the list,
Matched the name and number.
Lady Luck had come half-way:
The horse's name was "Galway Bay".
20-1 the odds that day.
I went to make my wager.
I counted out two thousand pounds,
Held it high, slapped it down.
The bookie smiled but made no sound.
I knew what he was thinking.
I was the biggest loser in the land.
With a pounding heart, shaking hand
I made my way up to the stand
As the horses came to order.
But at the first, she nearly fell
And I cursed my farmer's luck to hell.
The second and third she took quite well,
But way behind the leaders.
Then moving sweetly from the back
She found the rails and caught the pack
Ten to go, and from the track,
The hooves were drumming thunder.
instrumental
Drumming thunder! Come on Galway Bay! (etc.)
She's catching horses one by one,
Bridle flashing in the sun.
Eight to go, a mile to run,
Two to run before her.
On the straight, down they sped
Left one at the last for dead.
Caught the next, and by a head
She came home the winner!
So I came back to my Galway Farm
A wiser and a richer man.
Never again to chance my arm
Across the sea to England.
'Cause Lady Luck was mine that day;
I held her close, went my way.
Raise a glass to Galway Bay
And the dreams of a Galway farmer!
I've won! I've won!