Thom Moore: Music

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1.
He ran away,
the boundless world
so much to blame:
there came a day
when nothing home
could make him stay.

He left behind
the steady girl
from Palatine,
who brings to mind
the Barrow track
in summertime.

In this bold world
young folk climb,
they laugh at what's behind.
Goodbye Carlow,
there they go:
the boys and girls
who leave the fold.
CHORUS:
All roads lead to Rome, they say:
do Carlow boys come home?

2.
He's on his own:
Italian scene
with Carlow-grown boy,
young and keen
on wine and song
and everything.

How strange to find
a hill in Rome
called Palatine,
whose name reminds
Killeshin views
in Carlow times.

Make those brand-new
bonds that do
for boys and girls beyond.
Back in Carlow's
far green land,
a steady girl
might understand.
CHORUS

3.
The sun pours down:
the light alone
fills up your eyes.
A challenge posed:
the sights and sounds
are not your own.

Choose your ground:
the Barrow in
a winter coat
of red-toned brown,
or flood-of-sun
Italian town?

Most of all,
when counting comes,
your heart's not
made of stone:
Ciao, San Pietro,
goodbye Rome:
the boy from Carlow's
going home.
CHORUS