The Hotelier
Verse 1
It was a dark November night
My brother and I drove on
Looking for a bed to rest
Before the daylight gone
A weathered sign said Vacancies
Upon a country door
We knocked and met a gentleman
We’d never seen before
Verse 2
“Can I help you lads?” he said
As he stood there at the door
“Bejaysus, I was just going out
Up the road no more
Here, take these keys
There’s one for every door
Check the rooms, there may be one
Or maybe even four
If you find an empty one
Make your home in there
I’ll be up the road a little bit
I’ll meet you later there”
Chorus
Up the road a little bit
That’s where you’ll find me boys
Somewhere near the laughter
And the sound of local noise
Up the road a little bit
Don’t worry, have no fear
You’ll always find a welcome
And a friendly face in here
Verse 3
The lads shook their heads a bit
And looked at one another
“Did he just hand us every key?”
I whispered to my brother
We wandered down the hallway
Trying locks along the way
Careful not to wake a soul
Who’d booked a room that day
Verse 4
At last we found an empty room
And put our bags inside
Then looked back out along the hall
And laughed before we sighed
“Let’s go and find the gentleman,
Will you remember where?”
“Up the road a little bit,”
He said, “I’ll meet you there.”
Chorus
Up the road a little bit
That’s where you’ll find me boys
Somewhere near the laughter
And the sound of local noise
Up the road a little bit
Don’t worry, have no fear
You’ll always find a welcome
And a friendly face in here
Verse 5
We pushed the door of O’Shea’s pub
And there he sat inside
A pint before him on the bar
With locals by his side
“You found a room, to be sure you did,
A nice one I hope.”
He supped his drink, turned around,
And winked at Mary Pope.
Verse 6
“Oh, by the way boys,
Breakfast starts at eight
I’ll have the kitchen buzzing
To half past nine
I’ll cook you up a feast
Or simple toast and jam
Let me know tomorrow
I got some lovely ham”
Chorus
Up the road a little bit
That’s where you’ll find me boys
Somewhere near the laughter
And the sound of local noise
Up the road a little bit
Don’t worry, have no fear
You’ll always find a welcome
And a friendly face in here
Verse 7
We wandered down the easy stair
At around eight o’clock
Expecting
No one there
But the Irish man
Was waiting calm
Sitting in his chair
“Ah, top of the morning lads,” he said,
“Whatch ya having today?
I can do you an Irish full
Eggs alone, fried scrambled or poached
Or even a slice or two
Of proper Irish toast.”
Bridge
Years have come and years have gone
And many roads I’ve known
But some old memories stay with you
Long after you’ve gone home
A doorway in the fading light
A stranger with a grin
And a kindness shown so casually
You never quite forget
Verse 8
So if you visit Ireland
Be prepared to see
The kindest people living there
And proper hospitality
For that’s the way they welcome you
Wherever you may roam
And somehow make a stranger feel
As though he’s come back home
Lyrics Michael Forty
Voice Michael Forty