Tyrone Boys

Come with me to the island of Gráinne Mhaol and Dark Rosaleen
In Granard lay flowers around the grotto
And bouquets at the courthouse in Tralee
Graffitti on the wall of the schoolyard
Says: "No divorce where children play"
Hear the little Sisters of Mercy
Invoke the wrath of God on polling day

When John Paul came to the island
He knelt and kissed the ground
As a million people thronged the fifteen acres
Singing priests warmed up the crowd
Diverted from the Gloucester Diamond
Where the fateful had built a sacred shrine
Idolised by a thousand clergymen
As frightened women took the boat to Merseyside

Away from the island
Where Tyrone Boys dream of lovin' on the strand
Away from the island
Where Ann Lovett lay on the holy ground

The neighbour sent squaddies on the water
Geordie, don't be afraid to die
In camouflage he dreamt of his darlin' bairns and hinny
On the watchtower overlooking Aughnacloy
Down Dublin Road, young Aidan McAnespie
Was walking to the football field to play
On downtown radio, a newsflash
"Julia Livingstone's been blown away"

Away on the island
Where Tyrone Boys dream of lovin' on the strand
Away on the island
Where Ann Lovett lay on the holy ground

All the young ones are leaving the island
Out the door, down the steps, and around the side
Unwanted, they file through departure lounges
Like deportees dispersing far and wide
Back home, there's cricket in Cloughjordan
There's the gentle clack of croquet on the lawn
While our children, shackled by illegal status
Pull their heads down behind the Brooklyn wall

Away from the island
Where Tyrone Boys dream of lovin' on the strand
Away from the island
Where Ann Lovett died on holy ground