And [Dm]as you're waiting[G7] in the train
You'll[Dm] hear the guard sing this re[G7]frain
 
"Are ye[C] right there, Michael Are ye right
Do you [F]think that we'll be [C]there before the [Dm]night?
Ye've been[F] so long in startin'
That you [C]couldn't say for certain
Still ye might now,[G7] Michael, so ye[C] might!"
 
They find out where the engine's been hiding
And it drags you to Sweet Corofin
Says the guard "Back her down on the siding
There's the goods from Kilrush coming in"
Perhaps in comes in in two hours
Perhaps it breaks down on the way
"If it does," says the guard, "by the powers
We're here for the rest of the day"
 
(Spoken)
And while you sit and curse your luck
The train backs down into a truck
 
"Are ye right there, Michael? Are ye right?
Have ye got the parcel there for Mrs. White
Ye haven't, Oh begorra
Say it's comin' down tomorra
And it might now, Michael, so it might!"
At Lahinch the sea shines like a jewel
With joy you are ready to shout,
When the stoker cries out "There no fuel
And the fire's taytotally out.
"But hand up that bit of log there
I'll soon have ye out of the fix
There's a fine clamp of turf in the bog there
And the rest go a-gatherin' sticks
 
(Spoken)
And while you're breakin' bits of trees
You'll hear some wise remarks like these
 
"Are you right there, Michael? Are ye right?
Do ye think that ye can get the fire to light?"
"Oh, an hour you'll require
For the turf it might be drier"
"Well it might now, Michael, so it might!"
Kilkee! Oh you never get near it!
You're in luck if the train brings you back
For the permanent way is so queer
It spends most of it's time off the track
Uphill the old engine is climbin'
While the passengers push with a will
You're in luck when you reach Ennistymon
For all the way home is down hill