Opera on the Top Floor

Status Quo blasts from a jukebox The lads I grew up with play air guitar, conjuring youth Hunched at the bar, I hear dreams that turned to dust Till I ring out for last call A pint takes a minute to settle The creamy head rises and lands like a chorus of hums Regulars catching my eye to change their tune But I ain't a conductor I got opera on the top floor Where violins cry and arias explode I'm riding with those Valkyries to Lohengrin Got my own Valhalla in Listowel The boyos sing Elvis and skiffle Perched with their porter like vulture chicks waiting to hatch The races and darts don't soothe the soul I'm a fish out of water A Child of Prague's beady eye judges He might blow the whistle if my world collided with theirs After the final, John gave us a drunk Nessun Dorma And for once I felt kinship I got opera on the top floor Where violins cry and arias explode I'm riding with those Valkyries to Lohengrin Got my own Valhalla in Listowel And that opera on the top floor No one knows, it's under lock and key The needle hits the vinyl, I'm away on the wind Every secret needs a sanctuary