Joxer Goes to Stuttgart

It was in the year of '88 in the lovely month of June

When the gadflies were swarming and dogs howling at the moon

With rosary beads and sandwiches for Stuttgart we began

Joxer packed his German phrasebook and jumpleads for the van.

Some of the lads had never been away from home before

'Twas the first time Whacker put his foot outside of Inchicore

Before we left for Europe we knew we'd need a plan

So we all agreed that Joxer was the man to drive the van.

In Germany the autobahn, 'twas like the Long Mile Road

There was every make of car and van all carrying the full load

Ford Transits and Hiaces and an old Bedford from Tralee

With the engine overheating from longhauling duty free.

There was fans from Ballygermot, Ballybough and Ballymun

On the journey of a lifetime, and the crack was ninety-one

Joxer met a German's daughter on the banks of the river Rhine

And he told her she'd be welcome in Ballyfermot any time.

As soon as we found Stuttgart we got the wagons in a ring

Sean Og got out the banjo and Peter played the mandolin

There was fans there from everywhere attracted by the sound

At the first Fleadh Ceoil in Europe, and Joxer passed the flagon round.

But the session it ended when we'd finished all the stout

The air mattresses inflated and the sleeping bags rolled out

As one by one we fell asleep Joxer had a dream

He dreamt himself and Jack Charlton sat down to pick the team.

Joxer dreamt they both agreed on Packie Bonner straightaway

And that Moran, Whelan and McGrath were certainly to play

But tempers they began to rise and patience wearing thin

Jack wanted Cascarino but Joxer wanted Quinn.

The dream turned into a nightmare, Joxer stuck the head on Jack

Who wanted to bring Johnny Giles and Eamon Dunphy back

The cock crew in the morning, it crew both loud and shrill

Joxer woke up in his sleeping bag many miles from Arbour Hill.

The next morning none of the experts gave us the slightest chance

They said the English team would lead us on a merry dance

With their Union Jacks all them English fans for victory they were set

Until Ray Houghton got the ball and he stuck it in the net.

What happened next is history, brought tears to many eyes

That day will be the highlight of many people's lives

Joxer climbed right over the top and the last time he was seen

Was arm in arm with Jack Charlton singing, Revenge for Skibereen.

Now Whacker's back in Inchicore, he's living with his mam

And Jack Charlton has been proclaimed an honorary Irishman

Do you remember that German's daughter on the banks of the river Rhine

Well, didn't she show up in Ballyfermot last week and...