[Instrumental Intro: extended solo fiddle with bodhrán, gradual ensemble build] [Verse 1] By the Shannon, morning breaks, Limerick slowly fades behind, and the river carries west its silver stories with the tide. I travel on towards the west, where the Atlantic wind blows free, and somehow I already know this land will stay a part of me. [Instrumental: fiddle and bodhrán interlude] [Verse 2] In Kilrush the road runs out, and the Atlantic opens wide, through Kilbaha the road goes on, with the wind beside my side. At Lurga Point I stop and stare, at waves below and cliffs above, and I cannot say what moves me more, the beauty here, or falling in love. [Instrumental: fiddle solo with bodhrán lift] [Chorus] Kilkee, my Kilkee, there I left a piece of my heart, above the cliffs, beside the Atlantic, where the wind and sunshine meet. Kilkee, my Kilkee, when I think of those days, though I may be far away, I’m there again in my mind. [Instrumental: lively fiddle phrase] [Verse 3] In Miltown Malbay at evening, the fiddles start to play, and the bodhrán keeps the rhythm as the daylight fades away. Old tunes travel round the room, from one table to the next, and even when the road calls me, I am not quite ready yet. [Instrumental: fiddle and guitar exchange short improvised phrases] [Verse 4] Ahead are the Cliffs of Moher, the Atlantic to the sky, a narrow path above the edge, with the wild wind rushing by. Ancient stone beneath my feet, great cliffs falling to the deep, and I keep walking northward, with these memories to keep. [Instrumental: fiddle and bodhrán transition] [Chorus] Kilkee, my Kilkee, there I left a piece of my heart, above the cliffs, beside the Atlantic, where the wind and sunshine meet. Kilkee, my Kilkee, when I think of those days, though I may be far away, I’m there again in my mind. [Instrumental: rising fiddle phrase] [Bridge] And when the daylight starts to fade, Black Head Lighthouse shines, a white light standing on the coast, a beacon through the night. And I wonder if perhaps we don’t need so much in life — just a road, the Atlantic wind, and somewhere that feels like home. [Instrumental: fiddle solo, bodhrán builds] [Final Chorus] Kilkee, my Kilkee, there I left a piece of my heart, above the cliffs, beside the Atlantic, where the wind and sunshine meet. Kilkee, my Kilkee, though many days may pass, when I start to miss old Clare, my heart will find its way back. [Extended Instrumental Outro: louder full ensemble; improvised fiddle solo, acoustic guitar solo, bodhrán variations, traded phrases and triumphant final ensemble cadence] [Outro] From Shannon to Black Head, along the western roads of Clare, I’ll carry with me this journey, the Atlantic wind and air. And somewhere among those cliffs is a place I’ll not forget — Kilkee… my Kilkee. [Instrumental Tag: extended improvised fiddle and guitar solos over bodhrán, strong resolved ending]
