Banshees over Ballymore

Lyrics

[Intro] When the blackthorn bends and the dogs won't bark, Keep your boots on, lads, and mind the dark! [Verse 1] Old Maeve at the harbor tied a red thread tight, Said, “Don’t follow singing past the wall tonight.” But Sean heard a keening from the ruined mill, Like a name on the wind that could climb a hill. [Pre-Chorus] The lanterns shook, the shutters slammed, A cold hand tapped the window frame! [Chorus] Banshees over Ballymore, crying through the gale, Raise your glass and bar the door, let the brave hearts wail! Heel to heel and shoulder wide, we’ll outsing the fright, If the banshees want our names, they can shout all night! [Verse 2] Three pale shapes ran where the graveyard grass grew, With combs of bone and their veils soaked through. We grabbed our coats and the fiddle case, And took the long road at a fool’s own pace. [Pre-Chorus] The church bell bucked, the black crows swarmed, The whole town heard that warning mourn! [Chorus] Banshees over Ballymore, crying through the gale, Raise your glass and bar the door, let the brave hearts wail! Heel to heel and shoulder wide, we’ll outsing the fright, If the banshees want our names, they can shout all night! [Bridge] Now the dawn comes thin on the harbor stones, And the wind takes back its borrowed moans. Maeve just laughs, says, “You’ll learn someday: Some warnings walk, then they walk away.” [Final Chorus] Banshees over Ballymore, crying through the gale, Raise your glass and bar the door, let the brave hearts wail! Heel to heel and shoulder wide, we’ll outsing the fright, If the banshees want our names, they can shout all night! Banshees over Ballymore, let the whole town sing, No cold night can take the heart from anything! [Outro] When the blackthorn bends and the dogs won't bark, Keep your boots on, lads—mind the dark!