Irish Roots

I'm a piece of Ireland, now across the sea,
American I've become but I'm very proud to be
Forever Irish; and forty shades of green
I sing it from my heart, picture the Irish scene,
I still have the Emerald flowing in my soul,
My childhood's long ago and now it's a whole
Different life I've claimed to become free,
But my Irish roots still mean the world to me.

I sing favourite Irish songs in a bar, tell jokes,
Music, violin playing for me always evokes
Feelings from those almost forgotten times,
Lilting ballads, jaunty jigs, Ireland's rhymes.
Telling the story of my Irish roots tonight
I always keep a bit of Ireland in my sight,
Tunes bringing tears, tunes making you smile,
I'd like to share my Ireland with you for a while.

Irish jokes and laughter hide the passion in me
For the country of my birth, lying far across the sea.
Family gatherings there with music to the fore,
There's singing and dancing, all Irish to the core,
With a fire in the kitchen warm are my memories,
I always remember my folks and their families,
So as I sing to you tonight, look into my eyes
You'll see something there I don't try to disguise.

It may be many years since I walked in Dublin city
Saw the rivers flowing, saw Irish colleens so pretty
As they danced familiar jigs in a traditional way,
The likes of which you do not see in the USA.
I miss the green fields, beautiful when blooming,
But I am not unhappy, so don't you be assuming,
I may be pining just to visit for a while,
My Irish eyes are smiling as I sing of the Emerald Isle.