The thread about growing up Catholic made me think of one of my favorite songs on the subject. It was written by Mick Hanly and it is a reflection on a boy growing up Catholic. This one is about an Irish kid, but those of you that are roughly my age, that is on the cusp of Vatican II, will get a kick out of it.
Some translations:
bualadh bas = applause
lámh = hand
lámh eile = the other hand

ALL I REMEMBER
Mick Hanly

I was raised on a rocking horse, sweets and bualadh bas,
Fifty wild boys to a room,
sing lámh, lámh, eile, the dish ran away with the spoon
Black shoes and stockings, for those who say don't, blue is the colour outside
God made the world, the snake tempted Eve and she died.
Wild Christian Brothers, sharpening their leathers
Learn it by heart that's the rule
All I remember is dreading September and school

CHORUS:
And they made me for better or worse,
the fool that I am or the wise man I'll be
And they gave me their blessings or curse
it wasn't their fault I was me,
Not the one that you see.

The priest in confession, condemns my obsession
with thoughts that I did not invite
I mumble and stutter, he slams down the shutter goodnight (eh, bye now)
Stainless as steel, Lord you know how I feel
Someone shoot me while my soul it is clear
I don't think I'll last, but my vow to abstain was sincere
Arch-confraternity men to the fight raise up your banners on high
Searching for grace, securing my place when I die

CHORUS

God he kept a very good eye on me
Stared form the frame in the night time he frightened me
found me in the long grass so often he died on me.

Ballrooms of romance, in Salthill and Mallow,
I stood like John Wayne at the wall.
Lined up like cattle, we wait to do battle and fall
You can't wine and dine her, in an old Morris Minor
but ask her before it's too late, I stood on girl's toes,
And accepted rejection as my fate.
Oh drink was my saviour, it made me much braver
but I couldn't hold it too well,
I slipped on the porch, It ruined my approach when I fell

CHORUS