Henry's Songbook

If it wasn't for the Border what would we do
We'd only have one parliament instead of having two
We couldn't play with pounds and punts
And roadblocks would be few
We couldn't live at all without the Border

I am a simple farmer, the truth I'll tell to you
I own a bit of land that would graze a beast or two
But how my life has changed since my field was cut in two
By a little dotted line that's called the Border

My uncle's in the customs, he makes a punt or two
He doesn't like the work but it keeps him off the brew
His underwear's in ribbons but his uniform is new
Sure he couldn't live at all without the Border

And I myself am unemployed but the smuggling sees me through
For the Border is a way of life as I'll explain to you
For I draw the dole in Newry, and in Dundalk I draw it too
Sure I couldn't live at all without the Border

the Border - between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
punt - Irish currency

Tune: The Work of the Weavers