Daniel O’Donnell from Castlebar, Ireland

What I do, for I know DANIEL: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, you're all very welcome to our show here at the Theatre Royal in Castlebar in County Mayo in Ireland and we're absolutely thrilled to be back with you on public television.

(audience cheers and applauds) ANNOUNCER: So welcome, please, Mr. Daniel O'Donnell.

(audience cheers and applauds) DANIEL: Good evening, everybody.

Lovely to see you all.

Great that you are able to be with us.

Are you ready, folks?

No turning back now.

Hey, hey, good looking What you got cooking How's about cooking something up with me Hey, sweet baby, don't you think maybe We could find us a brand new recipe I got a hot-rod Ford, and a two-dollar bill I know a spot right over the hill There's soda pop and the dancing's free If you wanna have fun, come along with me Say hey, good looking What you got cooking How's about cooking something up with me Oh, play it, boys Yeeee ho Well, I'm free and I'm ready So we can go steady How's about saving all your time for me No more looking, I know I been tooken How's about keeping steady company I'm gonna throw my date book over the fence And buy me one for five or ten cents I'll keep it 'til it's covered with age 'Cause I'm writing your name down on every page I said, hey, good looking What you got cooking How's about cooking something up with me How's about cooking something up How's about cooking something up How's about cooking something up with me, oh (audience applauds) This next song, ladies and gentlemen, back in 1988, '89 I went to Nashville.

The only time I ever recorded in Nashville was back then and I met a- a couple of people called Holly and Barry Tashian they wrote some songs that I recorded.

And this next song was on a- an album that they had, although they didn't write it, when I heard the song I just loved it and I asked them would they mind if I covered the song that they had on their album.

And they said, "Go ahead," so here it is.

It's called "My Favorite Memory."

(audience applauds) Once in a life you meet someone who gives to you The reason for that life and what some love can do So now I'm armed for troubled times With all I need For I have you, my favorite memory You gave me something time Can never take from me A light to guide me when it's dark and I can't see And when it's cold A hand to hold to comfort me For I'll have you, my favorite memory Your lips were sweet Your arms were warm, I tasted life I'll have you with me in my dreams each night Though something calls out Yonder now and I must leave You'll always be my favorite memory You gave me something Time can never take from me A light to guide me when it's dark and I can't see And when at night I close my eyes and go to sleep You're lying there, my favorite memory Yes, I have you, my favorite memory (audience applauds) Well, this next song is one of the great old country songs that I'm sure you'd all remember, so you can help me out.

Goes something like this.

The rain is falling lightly On the buildings and the cars I've said goodbye to city friends Department stores and bars The lights of town are at my back My heart is full of stars And I'm gonna be a country boy again I've spent some time in study Oh I've taken my degree I've memorized my formula My As and Bs and Cs What I know came long ago And not from such as these And I'm gonna be a country boy again Everybody Oh yes, I'm gonna be a country boy again With an old brown dog and a big front porch And rabbits in the pen I tell you all the lights in Broadway Don't amount to an acre of green And I'm gonna be a country boy again I've wandered in the hearts of girls Looking for a sign That here I might find happiness I might find peace of mind The ones who taught my lesson were the soft wind Through the pines And I'm gonna be a country boy again Oh yes, I'm gonna be a country boy again With an old brown dog and a big front porch And rabbits in the pen I tell you all the lights in Broadway Don't amount to an acre of green And I'm gonna be a country boy again Oh yes I'm gonna be a country boy again With an old brown dog and a big front porch And rabbits in the pen I tell you all the lights in Broadway Don't amount to an acre of green And I'm gonna be a country boy again Oh yes, I'm gonna be a country boy again (audience applauds) Oh thank you, this next song, ladies and gentlemen, takes me back a good many years but it also takes me back to the music of the great Hank Locklin, "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On."

(audience applauds) Sing along with us.

Send me the pillow that you dream on Don't you know that I still care for you Send me the pillow that you dream on So darling, I can dream on it too Each night while I'm sleeping oh-so lonely I share your loving dreams That once were true Send me the pillow that you dream on So darling I can dream on it too Take it away, boys.

How about it, ladies and gentlemen, for all these wonderful singers and musicians.

(audience applauds) I've waited so long for you to write me But just a memory's all that's left of you Send me the pillow that you dream on So darling, I can dream on it too So darling, I can dream on it too (audience applauds) Oh, thank you.

(audience applauds) I believe my steps are growing wearier each day Still I've got a journey on my mind The lures of this old world Have ceased to make me want to stay And my one regret is leaving you behind If it should prove to be his will That I am first to cross And somehow I've a feeling it will be When it comes your time to travel Likewise don't feel lost For I will be the first one that you'll see And I'll be waiting On the far side banks of Jordan I'll be sitting, drawing pictures in the sand And when I see you coming I will rise up with a shout And come running through the shallow water Reaching for your hand Through this world we labor hard To earn our meager fare It's brought us trembling hands and failing eyes So I'll just rest here on the shore And turn my head away Until you come, then we'll see paradise And I'll be waiting on the far side Banks of Jordan I'll be sitting, drawing pictures in the sand And when I see you coming I will rise up with a shout And come running through the shallow water Reaching for your hand Yes, I'll be waiting on the far side Banks of Jordan I'll be sitting, drawing pictures in the sand And when I see you coming I will rise up with a shout And come running through the shallow water Reaching for your hand Yes, I'll come running through the shallow water Reaching for your hand (audience applauds) That song, uh, the first time I heard it was in Branson, Missouri.

I went to see Johnny Cash and himself and his wife June Carter sang it.

What a- a wonderful experience, what a great memory to have.

And I've been very fortunate, I suppose, to get to sing lots of great gospel songs and I love the bluegrass gospel, as well.

And that's what this next song, uh, is.

We recorded it a good many years ago, it goes something like this.

Not long ago I was thinking of home And I wondered if Mama was there all alone I thought I'd drop by as I'd done before When the sound from within Made me stop at the door She was praying A sound that the world seldom hears Praying Her words were pleading and clear The sound of her voice as she called my name Brought tears to my eyes My heart filled with shame Praying Praying for someone like me I was walking one night and I felt so alone My heart was weary from the troubles I'd known I hadn't noticed a church that was near 'Til the sound from within Seemed to fill the air They were praying A sound that the world seldom hears Praying The children that God loves so dear Outside in the darkness I could not see But I could picture them down on their knees Praying Praying for someone like me Praying Praying for someone like me (audience applauds) (audience applauds) Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings Of the blue bird as she sings The six-o'clock alarm would never ring Oh, but it rings and I rise I wipe the sleep out of my eyes The shaving razor's cold and it stings Alright!

Cheer up, sleepy Jean Oh what can it mean to a A daydream believer And a homecoming queen You once thought of me As a white knight on his steed Now you know how happy I can be Oh, but our good times start and end With a dollar, one to spend But how much, baby, do we really need Everybody!

Cheer up, sleepy Jean Oh what can it mean to a A daydream believer And a homecoming queen Cheer up, sleepy Jean Oh what can it mean to a A daydream believer And a homecoming queen Cheer up, sleepy Jean Oh what can it mean to a A daydream believer And a homecoming queen Cheer up, sleepy Jean Oh what can it mean to a A daydream believer And a homecoming queen Oh... (audience applauds) This next song is one of my favorite Eurovision songs from a-way back in the 1970s.

You'll all know it, so sing with me.

There were times in the days gone by When I thought I was living Having fun with all the friends I knew Now it seems all so long ago For my life changed completely From the moment I met you Come what may I will love you forever And forever my heart belongs to you Come what may For as long as I'm living I'll be living only for you Now I know I was lost 'til I met you When I met you, love told me what to do Come what may In a world full of changes Nothing changes my love for you Never ask what the past was like I will live for tomorrow Yesterday is very far away Now you're here, everything is new You are all that I long for And I long for you to stay Everybody!

Come what may I will love you forever And forever my heart belongs to you Come what may For as long as I'm living I'll be living only for you Now I know I was lost 'til I met you When I met you, love told me what to do Come what may In a world full of changes Nothing changes my love for you (audience applauds) Oh, thank you.

(audience applauds) I found a love for me Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet Oh, I never knew you were The someone waiting for me 'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love Not knowing what it was I will not give you up this time Darling, just kiss me slow Your heart is all I own And in your eyes you're holding mine Baby, I'm dancing in the dark With you between my arms Barefoot on the grass Listening to our favorite songs When I saw you in that dress Looking so beautiful I don't deserve this Darling, you look perfect tonight Baby, I'm dancing in the dark With you between my arms Barefoot on the grass Listening to our favorite song I have faith in what I see Now I know I have met an angel in person She looks perfect I don't deserve it You look perfect tonight (audience applauds) Ah, that song's very special.

And this next one, ladies and gentlemen, the very first time that I heard it, I just fell in love with it and I recorded it pretty much immediately.

It goes something like this.

When they told me that Ireland was heaven I said that's where I'm longing to stay Then an emigrant voice said, that's my land If you please sir, I'll show you the way You will see smiling faces that greet you With a cad mle filte at store And the candle burns bright in the window Of a cabin with only one door When you see the Moon rise over Claddagh And the golden sun kisses the sea Then you're on the right road, sir, for heaven For it's heaven around Galway Bay In the church on the hill 'neath the moonlight You can hear a sweet angel's voice sing It's the angel whose heart I may gladden When I give her my gold Claddagh ring And the carling who smiles so divinely At the sound of the bell stops to pray Just you turn and say God bless you kindly And to heaven she'll show you the way And an old-fashioned lady who greets you Saying come in, sir, you're welcome to stay Then you're on the right road, sir, for heaven For it's heaven around Galway Bay Then you're on the right road, sir, for heaven For it's heaven around Galway Bay (audience applauds) Will you save the last dance for me?

(laughs) Oh, you can dance every dance with a guy Who gives you the eye and let him hold you tight You can smile every smile for the man Who held your hand 'neath the pale moonlight But don't forget who's taking you home And in whose arms you're gonna be So darlin', save the last dance for me Oh, I know Oh, I know That the music is fine like sparkling wine Go and have your fun Laugh and sing but while we're apart Don't give your heart to anyone And don't forget who's taking you home And in whose arms you're gonna be So darlin', save the last dance for me Baby, don't you know I love you so Oh, can't you feel it when we touch I will never ever let you go I love you oh-so much Oh, yeah!

You can dance You can dance Go and carry on 'til the night is gone And it's time to go You can dance You can dance If he asks You can dance If you're all alone, can he take you home You must tell him no But don't forget who's taking you home And in whose arms you're gonna be So darlin', save the last dance for me Oh, choreography time.

Everybody.

But don't forget who's taking you home And in whose arms you're gonna be So darlin', save the last dance for me Mmm darlin', save the last dance for me Mmm darlin', save the last dance for me (audience applauds) There are wild and rocky hills On the coast of Donegal The fishermen are hearty, brave and free And the big Atlantic swell Is a thing they know right well As they fight to take a living from the sea With a pleasant rolling sea And the herring running free The fleet all riding gently through the foam When the boats are loaded down They'll be singing in the town When the boys from Killybegs Come rolling home Right.

Well, the weather's blowing rough And the work is awful tough And the ropes will raise the welts upon your hands But whoever you may be You will never leave the sea When it's in your blood it's hard to live on land One more time With a pleasant rolling sea And the herring running free The fleet all riding gently through the foam When the boats are loaded down There'll be singing in the town When the boys from Killybegs Come rolling home Alright.

Yeeee ho!

Now there's purple on the hill There's green down by the shore The Sun has cast its gold upon the sea And there's silver down below Where the herring fishes go When they catch them There'll be gold for you and me One last time With a pleasant rolling sea And the herring running free The fleet all riding gently through the foam When the boats are loaded down There'll be singing in the town When the boys from Killybegs Come rolling home Oh, the pleasant rolling sea And the herring running free The fleet all riding gently through the foam When the boats are loaded down There'll be singing in the town When the boys from Killybegs Come rolling home When the boys from Killybegs Come rolling home Take it home, boys.

Yeeee ho!

(audience applauds) nce applauds) Another you (audience applauds) Oh, this next song, ladies and gentlemen, we recorded uh- on our last album and I'm sure you'll know it, too, so you can help me out in case I take a wee blank spot in the middle, you can fill it in.

(laughs) It's called "Leaving on a Jet Plane."

(audience applauds) All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go I'm standing here outside your door I hate to wake you up to say goodbye But the dawn is breaking, it's early morn The taxi's waiting, he's blowing his horn Already I'm so lonesome I could die Everybody!

So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you'll wait for me Hold me like you'll never let me go 'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane Don't know when I'll be back again Oh, babe, I hate to go There's so many times I've let you down So many times I've played around I tell you now they don't mean a thing Every place I go I'll think of you Every song I'll sing I'll sing for you When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you'll wait for me Hold me like you'll never let me go 'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane I don't know when I'll be back again Oh, babe, I hate to go Now the time has come to leave you One more time let me kiss you Close your eyes and I'll be on my way Oh, won't you dream about the days to come When I won't have to leave alone About the times I won't have to say Everybody!

So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you'll wait for me Hold me like you'll never let me go 'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane I don't know when I'll be back again Oh, babe, I hate to go 'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane I don't know when I'll be back again Oh, babe, I hate to go I hate to go (audience applauds) Oh this next song, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the great old country songs.

I'm sure you all remember, join and sing with me.

It's better with many voices.

Well, there's a reason for the sunshine sky And there's a reason why I'm feelin' so high Must be the season when that love light shines All around us So let that feelin' grab you deep inside And send you reelin' Where your love can't hide And then go stealin' Through the moonlit nights With your lover Alright, everybody!

Just let your love flow like a mountain stream And let your love grow With the smallest of dreams And let your love show And you'll know what I mean It's the season Oh, let your love fly like a bird on a wing And let your love bind you to all living things And let your love shine And you'll know what I mean That's the reason Well, there's a reason for the warm sweet nights And there's a reason for the candle lights Must be the season when those love lights shine All around us So let that wonder take you into space And lay you under its loving embrace Just feel the thunder as it warms your face You can't hold back Alright, everybody!

Just let your love flow like a mountain stream And let your love grow With the smallest of dreams And let your love show And you'll know what I mean It's the season Oh, let your love fly like a bird on a wing And let your love bind you to all living things And let your love shine And you'll know what I mean That's the reason Just let your love flow like a mountain stream And let your love grow With the smallest of dreams And let your love show And you'll know what I mean It's the season Oh let your love fly like a bird on a wing And let your love bind you to all living things And let your love shine And you'll know what I mean That's the reason That's the reason (audience applauds) Busted flat in Baton Rouge and Heading for the train Feeling nearly faded as my jeans Bobby thumbed a diesel down Just before it rained Took us all the way to New Orleans I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana And I was blowing south While Bobby sang the blues With those windshield wipers flapping time Bobby clapping hands, we finally sang Every song that driver knew Everybody!

Freedom's just another word For nothing left to lose Nothing ain't worth nothing, but it's free Oh, and feeling good was easy, Lord When Bobby sang the blues Feeling good was good enough for me Good enough for me and Bobby McGee From the coal mines of Kentucky To the California sun Bobby shared the secrets of my soul Standing right beside me, Lord, Through everything I'd done And every night she kept me from the cold Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord, I I let her slip away Looking for the home I hope she'll find But I'd trade all my tomorrows For a single yesterday Holding Bobby's body next to mine Let's hear you, folks.

Freedom's just another word For nothing left to lose Nothing ain't worth nothing, but it's free Oh, and feeling good was easy, Lord When Bobby sang the blues Feeling good was good enough for me Good enough for me and Bobby McGee Alright.

Na na na na na na na Na na na na na Na na na na, me and Bobby McGee Na na na na na na na Na na na na na Na na na na, me and Bobby McGee (audience applauds) Listen, all of you people Come and take a few lessons from me Get yourselves prepared for judgment day Hallelujah, lujah When you hear the trumpet blast Then you know you're home at last Open up them pearly gates for me Why don't you open up them pearly gates Open up them pearly gates Open up them pearly gates for me Hallelujah, lujah When you hear the trumpet blast Then you know you're home at last Open up them pearly gates for me Why don't you open up them pearly gates Yes, them pearly gates Open up them pearly gates for me Hallelujah, lujah When you hear the trumpet blast Then you'll know you're home at last Open up them pearly gates for me Well, I'm on my way to heaven We shall not be moved on our way to heaven We shall not be moved just like a tree That's standing by the waterside We shall not be moved Everybody!

We shall not, we shall not be moved We shall not, we shall not be moved Just like a tree that's standing by the waterside We shall not be moved We're brothers together, we shall not be moved We're sisters together, we shall not be moved Just like a tree that's standing by the waterside We shall not be moved When I'm on my way to heaven We shall not be moved On our way to heaven, we shall not be moved Just like a tree that's standing by the waterside We shall not be, we shall not be We shall not be moved (audience applauds) Woo!

(audience applauds) And never mind at all But if I should lose your love, dear I don't know what I'd do For I know I'll never find another you But if I should lose your love, dear I don't know what I'd do For I know I'll never find another you Another you Another you