DAD
At the early age of thirty-eight Me mother said ‘Go West!’
DAD
‘Get up, ‘ says she. ‘and get a job’. Says I, ‘I’ll do my best’
GDEmA
I pulled on me Wellingtons to march to Kiltimagh
DAD
But I took a wrong turn in Charlestown and ended up in Knock
DAD
Oh once this quiet crossroads was a place of gentle prayer
DAD
Where Catholics got indulgent once or twice a year.
GDEmA
You could buy a pair of rosary beads or get your candles blessed
DAD
If you had a guilty conscience you could get it off your chest.
DAD
Then came the priest form Partry father Horan was his name
DAD
And since he’s been appointed Knock has never been the same.
GDEmA
‘Begod,’ says Jem, ’tis eighty years since Mary was adout.’
DAD
‘Tis time for another miracle.’ and he blew the candle out.
[Chorus]
GDGD
From Fatima to Bethlehem, from Lourdes to Kiltimagh,
DAD
There’s never been a miracle like the airport up in Knock
DAD
To establish terra firma he draw up a ten year plan
DAD
And started running dances around 1961.
GDEmA
He built a fantabulous church, Go h-álainn, on the holy ground
DAD
And once he had a focal point he started to expand
DAD
Chip shops and Bed and Breakfasts sprung up over night.
DAD
Once a place for quiet retreats now a holy sight.
GDEmA
All sorts of fancy restaurants for every race and creed
DAD
Where black and white and yellow pilgrims all could get a feed
DAD
The stalls once under canvas became religious supermarts
DAD
With such a range o’ godly goods, they had top twenty charts.
GDEmA
While the airport opposition was destroyed by James’ trump card.
DAD
For centenary celebrations he got John Paul the twenty-third
[Chorus]
GDGD
From Fatima to Bethlehem, from Lourdes to Kiltimagh,
DAD
There’s never been a miracle like the airport up in Knock
DAD
‘We had the Blessed virgin here,’ Bold Jamesie did declare,
DAD
‘And Pope John Paul the twenty-third appeared just over there.’
GDEmA
‘Now do you mean to tell me’, he said in total shock,
‘That I am not entitled to an airport here in Knock.’
DAD
TD’s were lobbied and harassed with talk of promised votes
DAD
And people who’d been loyal for years now spoke of changing coats.
GDEmA
Eternal damnation was threatened on the flock
DAD
Who said it was abortive building airports up in Knock
DAD
Now everyone is happy the miracle is complete.
DAD
Father Horan’s got his runway, it’s eighteen thousand feet
GDEmA
All sorts of planes could land there, of that there’s little doubt,
DAD
handy for the George Bush to keep knock Gadaffi out.
DAD
Did NATO donate, me boys, did NATO donate the dough?
DAD
Did NATO donate, me Girls, did NATO donate the dough?
GDEmA
Did NATO donate the dough, the dough, did NATO donate the dough?
DAD
Eighteen thousand feet of runway is an awful long way to go.