Title – Old Malachy Byrne
Verse 1
Old Malachy Byrne worked fishing boats
For most of his long life
The sea had been his closest friend
Through trouble, joy and strife
Now every morning by the shore
No matter rain or wind
You’d see old Malachy walking there
And talking to old Finn
Verse 2
Every morning folks would see him
Walking by the tide
With Finn beside him listening
As he wandered far and wide
Verse 3
Old Finn would sniff along the shore
For treasures in the sand
And every time he found a thing
He’d bring it back to hand
“Wonderful Finn,” old Malachy said,
“That’s a really good find, that is.”
And Finn would wag his tail with pride
As happy as could be
Chorus
Me and Finn by the seaside
Walking where the wild winds blow
Me and Finn by the shoreline
Searching where the treasures grow
Me and Finn through every season
Sunshine, rain and stormy skies
The best friend that I ever had
Was walking by my side
Verse 4
Each evening by the fireside glow
As daylight slipped away
Old Malachy would sit with Finn
And talk about the day
“Well Finn, what a good day we had,
Those treasures weren’t too few.
And that bit of rope you found today…
I couldn’t have done without you.”
Verse 5
Then from the cupboard by the door
He’d fetch a little treat
And place it gently on the floor
Before old Finn could eat
“That’s for finding treasures, lad,
And keeping watch all day.”
And Finn would take it carefully
Then wag his tail away
Chorus
Me and Finn by the seaside
Walking where the wild winds blow
Me and Finn by the shoreline
Searching where the treasures grow
Me and Finn through every season
Sunshine, rain and stormy skies
The best friend that I ever had
Was walking by my side
Verse 6
One morning down beside the shore
Old Finn seemed slow that day
He didn’t race ahead as usual
Or wander far away
“Come on Finn,” said Malachy,
“There’s treasures yet to find.”
But Finn just walked a little slow
And stayed close by his side
Verse 7
A few weeks passed and poor old Finn
Had seen a better past
The years had finally caught him up
And life moved on too fast
He struggled where he’d once run free
Along the wind-swept bay
Yet still he’d walk beside his friend
A little way each day
Verse 8
Then on a cold October morn
The thirteenth, so they say
Old Malachy awoke to find
His friend had slipped away
For Finn lay in his little bed
Just where he’d slept each night
As peaceful as the morning tide
Beneath the early light
Verse 9
Old Malachy carried little Finn
Later that same morn
And laid him by the sandy dunes
Where treasures once were born
There among the windswept grass
Above the rolling sea
He buried him where Finn had loved
To wander wild and free
Verse 10
The townsfolk saw old Malachy
Still walking by the sea
Braving wind and weather
As he’d done so faithfully
And though old Finn was gone from sight
Folks often heard him say
“Come on Finn, there’s treasures yet to find,”
As he wandered on his way
Final Chorus
Me and Finn by the seaside
Walking where the wild winds blow
Me and Finn by the shoreline
Searching where the treasures grow
Me and Finn through every season
Sunshine, rain and stormy skies
The best friend that I ever had
Was walking by my side
Lyrics Michael
Voice Michael Forty