Previous

Colum Sands
	Year:	1989
	Album:	THE MARCH DITCH
	Song:	The coming of Europe
Words & Music Colum Sands, Elm Grove Music Colum Sands: vocals, guitar, tin wistle, Ben Sands: mandoline, backing vocals
Now I'll sing you a song of a day that is gone and another that's not far away, For Europe is coming and borders are going, at least that's what everyone says. Here's a healthto the hands that reach out to share, and may they grow stronger each day, May the hands that reach out to grab and exploit, weaken and wither away. (2x) Now it wasn't the day, nor the day before that, when Europe gave us a surprise, A big International was due to be played with the Crown of ould England as prize. Scotland an d Holland were into the final and no tougher teams could be found, And somebody said, in the interests of peace, they should play in a neutral ground. (2x) First Rome was suggested but that was contested for reasons that I can't explain, But it seems every country was awfully shy about hosting the crowd pulling game. "Til a brainwaving diplomat stuck up his hand saying I know a field that is fine, It's lovely and flat and there's room for a crowd and it lies on the banks of the Boyne. (2x) Well the venue dicided the date it was set, training was soon underway, As Europe prepered for the game of the year in the more or less usual way. Flags were brought out and excursions arranged, a charter from France was the plan. As the Irish prepared to play host to a game that would change every woman and man. (2x) When the day of the final at last come along, excitement had risen so much, That over in Rome they were praying all day that victory would go th the Dutch. Now it seems that the Stuarts were thin on the ground, spectators were soon out of hand, The Irish took sides and the battle it raged 'til it ravaged the half of the land. (2x) The Dutch won the cup and both teams disappeared, leaving death and destruction behind. And so much ill feeling that three hundred years could not put it out of our minds. Now three hundred years is a long time to learn but I hope we can learn all the same. That most people lose when their country is used for dangerous military games. (2x) And there is my song of a day that is gone and another that's not far away, For Europe is coming and borders are going , at least that what everyone says. Here's a health to the hands that reach out to share and may they grow stronger each day, May the hands that reach out to grab and exploit, weaken and wither away. (2x)