I Wish I Was In Pana
I Wish I Was In Pana
A Cork War Song
Lyrics/Music by Richard T. Cooke © 2010 All Rights Reserved
Dear Brian,
The following are the lyrics to the song ‘I Wish I Was in Pana – A Cork War Song’ that I have specially written and composed for your prestigious international Recital [in UCC on November 11th 2010]
Richard.
Off to war I go leaving auld Cork City,
With three of me pals, Johnny, Tommy and Jackie;
All signed up to go to help the auld families,
Not a job could be found that’s why we joined the army.
On a troop ship we sail waving goodbye Cork City,
Heading for the open sea tears floating in the breeze;
Sea is rough and cruel helping forget our love ones,
Sickness everywhere gauching, spitting and cribbing.
Chorus
I wish I was in Pana sitting underneath the Statua,
I wish I was in Pana with my auld girl Barbara.
Landed in London town, tired, hungry, excited,
With me kit and me gun and all me pals around me;
Off to barracks we go not far from Buckingham Palace,
People everywhere cheering us along the way.
A sound night’s sleep was ordered for tomorrow we’re off to Dover,
The night is long and noisy, singing, joking, and praying;
I wonder how is Ma and the auld gang down the alley,
They were sad to see us go leaving auld Cork City.
Chorus
Arrived in Dover town like an All-Ireland Final,
Congestion everywhere police showing us the way;
Boarded an old troop steamer for Dunkirk we sail for,
Ships and boats we go it’s like a Regatta Day.
O Jesus what is happening, bombs, bullets and screaming,
Bodies everywhere on a beach like Youghal Bay;
Tommy and Jackie have fallen and I’m feeling funny,
Johnny says to me “I see you on the Banks today”.
Chorus(one repeat)