The People of West Cork and Kerry

It seems to me the people of West Cork and Kerry
They seem to understand the ways of my soul
They seem to recognise the healing ways of a young lad
Born into pain for the song and to roam
And now though still not old, I live alone in the garden
The pen it is slow but my heart is at rest
And when I see the world now, I see a world without turmoil
And all things I see now, I look for the best

I know all the towns
And I know all the places
And I have kissed your lips
And I have held your hand
Been all around the world
And have not found such graces
For the people of West Cork and Kerry
The people of West Cork and Kerry were grand

But when I was a young man, the world was heavy on me
You gave me plain talk and you made me feel blessed
You gave me the magic of all that went before me
When I needed to lay low, you gave me the nest
So it seems to me the people of West Cork and Kerry
That, even in a wild heart, they seem to find the best

I know all the towns
And I know all the places
And I have kissed your lips
And I have held your hand
Been all around the world
And have not found such graces
For the people of West Cork and Kerry
The people of West Cork and Kerry were grand

• Written by Jimmy MacCarthy