Joxer goes to Stuttgart    (video 1)    (video 2)    (background)

 

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1. It was in the year of '88, in the lovely month of June,

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    when the gadflies were swarming and dogs howling at the moon.

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    With rosary beads and sandwiches for Stuttgart we began,

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    Joxer packed his German phrasebook and jumpleads for the van.

 

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    Some of the lads had never been away from home before,

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    'twas the first time Whacker put his foot outside of Inchicore.

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    Before we left for Europe we knew we'd need a plan,

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    so we all agreed that Joxer was the man to drive the van.

 

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2. In Germany the autobahn was like the Long Mile Road,

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    there was every make of car and van all carrying the full load.

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    Ford Transits and Hiaces and an old Bedford from Tralee,

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    with the engine overheating from long hauling duty free.

 

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    There were fans from Ballyfermot , Ballybough and Ballymun,

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    on the journey of a lifetime and the craic was 91.

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    Joxer met a German's daughter on the banks of the river Rhine,

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    and he told her she'd be welcome in Ballyfermot anytime.

 

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3. And as soon as we found Stuttgart we got the wagons in a ring,

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    Sean Og got out the banjo and Peter played the mandolin.

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    There were fans there from everywhere attracted by the sound

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   at the first Fleadh Ceoil in Europe and Joxer passed the flagon round.

 

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    But the session, it ended when we finished all the stout,

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    the air mattresses inflated and the sleeping bags rolled out.

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    As one by one we fell asleep, Joxer had a dream,

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    he dreamed himself and Jack Charlton sat down to pick the team.

 

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4. Joxer dreamt they both agreed on Packie Bonner straight away,

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    and that Moran Wheelan and McGrath were certainly to play.

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    But the tempers they began to rise and patience wearing thin,

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    Jack wanted Cascarino, but Joxer wanted Quinn.

 

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    And the dream turned into a nightmare, Joxer stuck the head on Jack,

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    who wanted to bring Johnny Giles and Eamonn Dunphy back.

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    The cock crew in the morning, it crew both loud and shrill,

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    Joxer woke up in his sleeping bag, many miles from Arbour Hill.

 

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5. Next morning none of the experts gave us the slightest chance,

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    they said the English team would lead us on a merry dance.

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    With their Union Jacks all them English fans for victory they were set,

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    until Ray Houghton got the ball and he stuck it in the net !

 

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    What happened next is history, brought tears to many eyes,

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    that day will be the highlight of many peoples lives.

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    Joxer climbed right over the top and the last time he was seen,

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    was arm in arm with Jack Charlton singing ''Revenge For Skibbereen''.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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6. And now Whacker's back in Inchicore, he's living with his ma,

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    and Jack Charlton has been proclaimed an honorary Irishman.

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    Do you remember that German's daughter

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    on the banks of the river Rhine ?

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    Well, didn't she show up in Ballyfermot last week and.... ?

 

+  D - Em - A - D      - D7 - G - D - A    - G - A   - G - A - D

 

(video 2 = capo 1st : C-Dm-G-C....) (Christy Moore)