The Galway Farmer

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
Crossed the line and beat the rest
I came back rich to Galway
I rose at dawn, and drove all day
Thinking, wondering all the way
"Lady Luck, have you come to stay
Or steal away my mourning?"

When I got to Cheltenham town
Irish faces all around
No bed or mattress to be found
I slept on the hillside
Spent three days in the viewing ring
Saw the horses they led 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 the number
Lady Luck could come half-way
The horse's name was "Galway Bay"
20 to one, 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
The biggest loser in the land
A pounding heart, shaking hand
I made my way up to the stand
The horses came to order

But at the first, she nearly fell
I cursed my farmer's luck to hell
The second and third took quite well
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

She's catching horses one by one
Bridle flashing in the sun
Eight to go, a mile to run
Two were up before her
On the straight, down they sped
Left one and 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 I'll chance my arm
Across the sea to England
'Cause Lady Luck was mine that day
I held her close, I went my way
Now I raise my glass to Galway Bay
And the dream of a Galway farmer