My story goes way back to the 60s
When I first went across the Atlantic Sea
I was on a Christmas break with my family
It was all so very new and strange to me.

As we settled in our digs downtown Manhattan
We were sipping a beer and chatting in an Irish bar
Thinking about the songs that America Irish sing
Like Molly Malone and Whiskey in the Jar

I a man and my dad talking
He was asking him were his accent was from
Then I heard him say something never thought I would hear again
Now I've heard it said so many times you know.

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He said, I wish I was home in Ireland for Christmas
He said, I miss the Emerald Isle my friend you know
He said I wish I was home in Ireland for Christmas
Let's have a drink to the good ole times back home

Well it took me a few years to go back there
Now I think I've settle down in the USA
I've lived Philly and Chicago and all around the coast
But at Christmas time it's these words I always say

chorus

Now I'm sitting on a bar stool here in New York
Sipping a jar and thinking about going home
Then I meet a man from Ireland, he's over on a break
We get talking about a famous Broadway show

He said to me have you ever been to Ireland
Have you ever been across the Irish Sea
He said to me have you ever been to Ireland
Have you ever seen the 40 shades of green?

I said
chorus