Castle Island - Tom Robinson

Where the sun lights up still waters in the harbour

And where hungry eyes once stared out to the sea

Yes it’s there that I’ll come home, across the dancing foam

And once again I’ll walk on Castle Island

I remember years ago the place seemed quieter

The rain fell softer still, the moon shone brighter

Maybe memory plays its' games, and the beauty’s still the same

As when I took my first steps on Castle Island

I smiled as I walked up past the old ballroom

Where in sharp creased suits we’d laugh and dance till dawn

And when Mary said 'I will' my heart with joy was filled

But we cried as we sailed out from Castle Island

The city that we came to was a stranger

Where neighbours passed you by without a word

The work we did was hard and filled with danger

Never found the promised land of which we’d heard

We met up with fellow souls who’d left the old place

And we’d drown our dreams in pints and whiskeys smooth

And when Liam would sing a song, we’d be carried all along

Transported through the tune to Castle Island

Now the years lie heavy on my aching shoulders

And my weary bones cry out for rest at last

When the circle is complete, the good earth will taste so sweet

As they lay me down to sleep on Castle Island

With my own folk I shall sleep 'neath Castle Island