Michael's Orchard

Ah you'll never grow an apple tree in this part of the country

For the weather here is wintry and the wintry weather's wild

You'll never grow an apple tree in this part of the country

For apples never grew here since Adam was a child

 

For there's salt upon the breath of the breezes from the ocean

And there's frost upon the fingers of the fog at blossom time

You'll never grow an apple tree in this part of the country

The old men chewed tobacco to the rhythm of their rhyme

 

Michael heard their words and he looked across the ocean

Then he stepped around the little field where apples never grew

He chewed a blade of grass, he tasted salt, he dreamt of orchards

While the old men watched him fearing he might teach them something new

 

Kilballyowen watched him as he planted trees of shelter

Cross and Rehy watched him as the ash and rowan grew

Michael watched their colours change from springtime into autumn

And he knew that far above him time was watching too

Michael felt the wind and years come flying up the Shannon

But his trees had taken root and their shelter warmed him too

He grafted hopes and dreams and he planted for tomorrow

And sheltered in his careful hands the little orchard grew

He lived to see the apples and he watched his children taste them

While the old men chewed tobacco to the rhythm of their rhyme

For you who dare to dream, the songbirds sing on branches

And your children's children play in the apple blossom time