What have they done to my beloved Raheny?
It’s all Cock and Bull and so damn unseemly
When did our village become such a town?
Why did they tear the memories down?
Once Bettyglen was full of foxes
And milk was in bottles and shoppin’ in boxes
The vegetable man sold ye a few Rush Queens
Carrots and Cabbage and even some beans
The Breadmen from Johnstons with the fresh batch pan
When ye spread on the butter, it was yer only man
Biscuits back then were always sold broken
An’ the aul one in the shop gave ye more as a token
You’d never be stuck for the want of a smoke
Cronin’s sold loosies on the days ye were broke
He’d even give ye a new friendly match
With a wink and a nod for no one to catch
And who ever heard of show your ID?
Fifteen in The Inn was as old as could be
Young fellas choking on their very first pint
Bum fluff and bravado, the craic and the caint
Macari’s Chipper were ye chatted the mots
And they looked at your face and joined up the dots
The single and cod which speeded ye home
With a skinful of drink and always alone
Ah where has it gone or is it just me?
Pinin’ for old times, just let it be
But as long as I live, may my brain never dull
If I don’t yearn for the Manhattan, The new Cock and Bull
