I copied these lyrics from George’s website and tweaked a couple of words to agree with what he sings on his album “Ordinary Heroes,” 2004. (Spotify) You can also hear Andy Irvine’s recording on Spotify, from his album “Abocurragh,” 2010. George praised Andy’s recording in his Mudcat post here, and even titled the thread “Empty Handed by Andy Irvine.” Now that’s modesty. George’s post links to a performance on YouTube by Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny.


EMPTYHANDED
© Copyright George Papavgeris, June 2002

Again the rains are late this year; again the fields are dry and crops are dead.
Today the bank refused to give me an extension on the loan,
No money in my pocket for the fare,
No friendly face with me my disappointment to share.
In failure and in poverty you always feel alone.

CHORUS: It's not the setting sun that makes my face look red.
You rich will never understand it.
And if I walk as if my shoes were made of lead,
It's the shame of coming back home emptyhanded.

My arms and back are strong, and I have worked all hours that the good Lord gave,
But for my efforts I have had so very little in return.
This soil is too unyielding to the plough,
Too hard to soften with the sweat that trickles from my brow,
The crop so weak that there is almost nothing left to burn. CHORUS

My savings went to buy this land, but all it's good for is to bury me.
Unless I find a way to make it pay, that could be very soon.
The future that I dreamed as a young man
Is withered like the crops beneath the unrelenting sun,
The very one that makes this such a lovely afternoon. CHORUS

So what would happen if I just went right on walking till I disappeared?
And would they miss me if I had a mind the countryside to roam?
They followed me with hopes of Paradise.
The one thing I can't do right now is look them in the eyes.
I wish this road would swallow me and never take me home. CHORUS TWICE

It’s not the setting sun. (4x)