GALWAY FARMER [Song written in 1992 by Steve Knightley from the group Show of Hands] 
I worked my days on a Galway Farm In the sun and rain and wind and storm But once a year I'll chance my arm And cross the sea to England I'll scrimp and save 2000 pounds Spend the week in Cheltenham town But the racing over always down I come back poor from England 
I dreamed one night before I left A coal black mare with a white star chest Crossed the line and beat the rest I came back rich to Galway I rose at dawn and drove all day Thinking, wondering all the way Lady luck have you come to stay Or steal away in the morning 
When I got to Cheltenham town Irish faces all around No bed or mattress to be found I slept out on the hillside I spent three days at the viewing ring Saw the horses they led in And just as I was giving in I stood and stared in wonder 
With stamping hooves and steaming breath A coal black mare with a white star chest I ran my finger down the list I matched the name and number Well Lady Luck had come half way The horses name was Galway Bay 20-1 were the odds that day I went to make my wager 
I counted out 2000 pounds Held it high, slapped it down The bookie smiled but made no sound I knew what he was thinking The biggest loser in all the land With pounding heart and shaking hands I made my way up to the stand The horses came to order 
But at the first she nearly fell I cursed my farmers luck to hell The second and third she took quite well Way behind the leaders Then moving swiftly from the back Found the rails and caught the pack Ten to go and from the back Her hooves were drumming thunder 
She's catching horses one by one  

Irish Song Lyrics 
from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
Bridle flashing in the sun Eight to go and a mile to run Two are left before her Down the straight and on they sped Left one at the last for dead Caught the next and by a head She came home a winner 
So I came back to my Galway farm A wiser and a richer man But never again I'll chance my arm Or cross the sea to England 'Cos Lady Luck was mine that day I held her close and she went my way I raised a glass to the Galway Bay And the dream of the Galway farmer