[Verse 1]
In a town where the green hills kiss the sky,
And the rivers run with a rebel’s cry,
There lived a man with a rovin’ hand,
They called him Michael O’Bandy, grand.
With a grin that could charm the pourin’ rain,
And a wit as quick as a runaway train,
If trouble came knockin’ at your door,
He’d laugh it off and pour one more.
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[Verse 2]
He’d work all day ‘til the sun dipped low,
Then off to the pub where the good souls go,
With a stomp and a clap and a shout so free,
He’d wake the whole of the company.
From the fiddler’s bow to the piper’s cry,
You’d see old worries just pass you by,
For wherever Mike stood, the night would grow,
Into a fire with a golden glow.
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[Pre-Chorus]
So raise your glass if you know his name,
There’s not a man could match his flame,
And if you don’t—well you soon will see,
What kind of legend a man can be!
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[Chorus]
Oh Michael O’Bandy, loud and proud!
Sing it strong so it shakes the crowd,
With a hey and a ho and a roarin’ cheer,
He’s the best damn man you’ll find ‘round here!
Through the wind and rain, through loss and glee,
He stood as tall as an Irish tree,
And the songs we sing and the tales we tell,
Say Michael O’Bandy lived life well!
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[Verse 3]
Now there’s a tale ‘bout a storm one night,
When the sea rose up in a fearsome fight,
And a boat was lost in the blackened foam,
With no safe path to guide ‘em home.
But Michael ran with a lantern high,
With the wind and the rain in his steady eye,
And he called ‘em through with a fearless roar,
Till they found their way to the waiting shore.
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[Verse 4]
He never asked for a single coin,
Just a place at the fire and friends to join,
And he’d sing you songs ‘til your heart felt light,
Keepin’ hope alive through the longest night.
From the youngest child to the old and gray,
All knew the name O’Bandy that day,
For a man like that don’t fade away,
He lives in every song we play.
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[Final Chorus]
Oh Michael O’Bandy, raise ‘em high!
Let your voice roll out to the sky,
With a hey and a ho and a fearless cheer,
He’s the kind of soul we hold most dear!
And though he’s gone, still his spirit stays,
In the stomp of feet and the songs we raise,
For the heart of a man like O’Bandy’s flame,
Burns on forever in Ireland’s name!
DJMike
