C                                                      F
A boat sailed out of Brandon in the year of 501
C                                              G
'twas a damp and dirty mornin' Brendan's voyage it begun.
C                                           F
Tired of thinnin' turnips and cuttin' curley kale
C                                                             G                        C
When he got back from the creamery he hoisted up the sail.
C                                                      F
He ploughed a lonely furrow to the north, south, east and west
C                                              G
Of all the navigators, St Brendan was the best.
C                                                      F
When he got low on candles he was forced to make a stop,
C                                              G                            C
He tied up in Long Island and put America on the map.
F                                                    C
Did you know that Honolulu was found by a Kerryman,
                   G                               C
Who went on to find Australia then China and Japan.
          F                                     C
When he was touchin' 70, he began to miss the crack,
                                     G                               C
Turnin' to his albatross, sez he "I'm headin' back".


F                            C
"Is it right or left for Gibraltar"
G                                  C
"What tack do I take for Mizen Head?"
F                                                       C
"I'd love to settle down near Ventry Harbour",
C                            G             C
St. Brendan to his albatross he said.


C                                                      F
To make it fast he bent the mast and built up mighty steam.
C                                              G
Around Terra del Fuego and up the warm Gulf Stream,
C                                           F
He crossed the last horizon, Mt. Brandon was in sight
C                                                             G                        C
And when he cleared the customs into Dingle for the night.
F                                                    C
When he got the Cordon Bleu he went to douse the drought,
                   G                               C
He headed west to Kruger's* to murder pints of stout
          F                                     C
Around be Ballyferriter and up the Conor Pass
                                     G                               C
He freewheeled into Brandon, the saint was home at last.


F                            C
"Is it right or left for Gibraltar"
G                                  C
"What tack do I take for Mizen Head?"
F                                                       C
"I'd love to settle down near Ventry Harbour",
C                            G             C
St. Brendan to his albatross he said.


C                                                F
The entire population came the place was chock-a-block
C                                              G
O Love nor money wouldn't get your nose inside the shop.
C                                                      F
The fishermen hauled up their nets, the farmers left their hay,
C                                                             G                        C
and the Kerry people know that saints don't turn up every day. (pause)
F                                                    C
Everythin' was goin' grand 'til Brendan did announce
                   G                               C
His reason for returnin' was to try and set up house.
          F                                     C
The girls were flabbergasted at St. Brendan's neck
                                     G                               C
To seek a wife so late in life and him a total wreck.

F                            C
"Is it right or left for Gibraltar"
G                                  C
"What tack do I take for Mizen Head?"
F                                                       C
"I'd love to settle down near Ventry Harbour",
C                            G             C
St. Brendan to his albatross he said.

C                                                      F
O-Worn down by rejection that pierced his humble pride,
C                                              G
"Oh Begod", sez Brendan "If I run I'll surely catch the tide"
C                                           F
Turnin' on his sandals he made straight for the docks
C                           G                                        C
And haulin' up his anchor he cast off from the rocks.
F                                                    C
As he sailed past Inishvickallaun there stood the albatross
                   G                               C
"I knew you'd never stick it out, 'tis great to see you boss"
          F                                     C
"I'm bailin' out" sez Brendan, "I badly need a break
                                     G                               C
A fortnight is about as much as any aul saint could take."


F                            C
"Is it right or left for Gibraltar"
G                                  C
"What tack do I take for Mizen Head?"
F                            C
"I'd love to settle down near Ventry Harbour",
G                                  C
St. Brendan to his albatross he said.