Among the pleasures the band has enjoyed in twenty-three years, and for which we are eternally grateful, are the thirty performances over six concert-tours of Ireland and Scotland, four of them being bus-tours that have included family, friends, and countless fans. They all go the same way, delightfully so. Months of preparations; countless conversations; flights, bus-rides, and stretch-breaks; castles, cathedrals, battlefields, and countless beautiful vistas; all the PUBS; and eventually a weary flight home. Waterford’s masterful singer/songwriter Robbie O’Connell perfectly captures the entire experience down to immediately looking forward to the next time we get to go back…

Lyrics

I’d been back home to Ireland just to visit some old friends, but the days had gone by quickly, it was time to leave again. And I’d had so many wild nights in the week or two that passed, I was almost glad that this would be the last. But I didn’t sleep at all that night, I stayed up ’til the dawn, singing songs and playing tunes ’til everyone was gone. By then it was too late for me to go back home to bed so I opened up another beer instead. Back across the ocean to my home away from home. I’m glad to be returning but sad to have to go. I’d like to find a way to be two places at one time. It’s easy going back again but it’s hard to say goodbye.

I had one bag too many just as I was set to leave. I was loaded down with bacon and with sausages and tea. And I couldn’t find my ticket as I’m walking out the door ’til I emptied all my bags out on the floor. On board the plane I sip a drink while waiting for the meal, just trying to keep my head from knowing how my stomach feels. There’s a baby right behind me making sure that I won’t sleep, and the flight’s too full to find another seat. Back across the ocean to my home away from home…

I’m trying to fill out customs forms but I can’t find a pen. I’m swearing softly to myself I’ll never fly again. There’s a woman right in front of me keeps playing with her seat, and someone nearby never washed their feet. But I fall asleep at last just as the plane is touching down and I age ten years just waiting for the bags to come around, and I finally make it home and I’m barely settled when I’m already making plans to go again. Back across the ocean to my home away from home…