Around the Boree Log - Barry Ryan

Oh stick me in the old caboose this night of wind and rain

And let the doves of fancy loose to bill and coo again

I want to feel the pulse of love that warmed the blood like wine

I want to see the smile above this kind old land of mine

So come you by your parted ways that wind the wide world through

And make a ring around the blaze the way we used to do

The fountain on the sooted crane will sing the old old song

Of common joys in homely vein forgotten ah too long

The years have turned the rusted key and time is on the jog

Yet spend another night with me around the boree log

Now someone driving through the rain will happen in I bet

So fill the fountain up again and leave the table set

For this was ours with pride to say and all the world defy

No stranger ever turned away no neighbour passed us by

Bedad he'll have to stay the night; the rain is going to pour

So make the rattling windows tight and close the kitchen door

And bring the old lopsided chair the tattered cushion too

We'll make the stranger happy there the way we used to do

The years have turned the rusted key and time is on the jog

Yet spend another night with me around the boree log

He'll fill his pipe and good and well and all aglow within

We'll hear the news he has to tell the yarns he has to spin

Yarns-yes and super-yarns forsooth to set the eyes agog

And freeze the blood of trusting youth around the boree log

Then stir it up and make it burn; the poker's next to you

Come let us poke it all in turn the way we used to do

There's many a memory bright and fair will tingle at a name

But leave unstirred the embers there we cannot fan to flame

For years have turned the rusted key and time is on the jog

Still spend this fleeting night with me around the boree log