Come Back Paddy Reilly To Ballyjamesduff

The Garden of Eden has vanished they say

But I know the lie of it still

Just turn to the left at the bridge of Finea

And stop when halfway to Cootehill.

It's there you'll find it I know sure enough

For fortune has come to my call

The grass it is green around Ballyjamesduff

And the blue sky is over it all.

And tones that are tender and tones that are ruff

Come whispering over the sea

Come back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff

Come home, Paddy Reilly, to me.

My mother once told me that when I was born

The day that I first saw the light

I looked down the street on that very first morn

And gave a crow of delight.

Now most newborn babies appear in a puff

And start with a sorrowful squall

But I knew I was born in Ballyjamesduff

And that's why I smiled at them all.

The baby's a man now, he's toil-worn and tough

Still, whispers come over the sea

Come back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff

Come home, Paddy Reilly, to me.

Come home, Paddy Reilly, to me...