Marquee In Drumlish

When I was just a little boy my one and only wish Was to get to see the showbands play at the marquee in Drumlish I'd watch them all arrive in big wagons and fine cars And I wondered what it would be like to be a country star My father used to tell me that I was far too small And I had no change to go to the dance to see the bands all But my mother would get 'round him and I would get my wish And we'd go to see the Mainliners in the marquee in Drumlish I'd watch Seamus McManus as he played his lead guitar And I wondered how he got that sound When Big Tom sang "Gentle Mother" sure I can tell you this That everyone would sing along in the marquee in Drumlish Larry And The Mighty Avons were among my favourites too How I envied Micky Brady with his Fender coloured blue When Larry sang he had them all, no notes he ever missed You could hear that fence and echo around the marquee in drumlish Philamena Country favour would take the old band stand And I'd watch when Dan O'Hara pick and play my ramblin man And later on when I got home I'd check the old jam jar To see if I had saved enough to buy my first guitar So next morning with my mother we went to Longford Town And she bought me that first guitar, I think it was twelve pounds With radio and records I practiced all alone Soon I had the job with The Hilos and Gene Stuard from Tyrone And then one Friday Evening came that biggest break of all I was asked to join The Brian Coll and the mighty Buckaroos We played all over Ireland, England and The U.S.A And I owe a lot to Brian for what I am today And now the people tell me that I could go far We play all over Ireland from Cork to Castlebar The carnival is over but I still got my wish For I got my inspiration, at the marquee in Drumlish No I wont forget marquee in my native town Drumlish