The Green Green Grass of Home
After two famous songs


The old town looked much changed as I got off the train
The first thing I recalled was my sweetheart Mary
She had gone away the day after the heavy rain
Of the small man in uniform I was wary
The only one to greet me, it was very late
In all those years I did learn how to pass the gate

Mary had long hair of gold and lips like cherry
In my sweet day dreams she ran and ran to greet me
Now she is paid as a maid in Londonderry
How sad to disappoint a girl so true as she
Wearing a black tunic tied with a white apron
My temper has her standing there cooking bacon

I slept like a drunken sailor on a park bench
I buried a priest on the only grassy patch
I stole the warden's flowers to put in the trench
He held my arm walking as I lit the last match
The priest told me to repent all my sins everyday
To be free he said to me "sit still come what may"

The old house was repaired with new people in it
And the leaves of the old oak tree swayed in the breeze
Some were made for the sun some for the shady bit
I paid my dues and I have no one left to please
I was bad but now having said so I was good
I had to find where my father lay in the wood

When the four grey walls faced me sometimes I could hear
The voice of my father singing somewhat forlorn
Wondering where I'd gone maybe wanting me near
My bones were so weary and my clothes were all torn
I knelt and said for him an Ave at the stone
And it was good to touch the green green grass of home

Lucignano, 12 12 2006