Other Zuthulu
Come What May!

The very first glimpse I had was through the window of Paddy’s bar
A body full of promises and a look as black as tar
In the dimming light a sultry wink that sent me barreling in
But the barman said, “You missed out, lad, you’ll have to try again
 
“You’ll have to look at Kelly’s, south of Quay near Claddagh Bay
Or cross the town to Busker Brownes, if you want to have your way.”
With a stout determination and a head so keen to see
I set out to chase the beauty that had beckoned so to me
 
I’ll chase down all the evenin’
I’ll chase down all the day
Until my lips they taste the kiss
Of heav’n, come what may
 
Come what may! (COME WHAT MAY!)
Come what may! (COME WHAT MAY!)
Until my lips they taste the kiss
Of heav’n, come what may
 
A traveler far from homelands, I grew lost amid the square
Then a light from old O’Connell’s led my feet up to the stair
As I stood there at the threshold, and my eyes the crowd implored
One by one they shook their heads and waved me out the door
 
“No luck, lad, be on your way,” they said with spiteful glee,
“Perhaps the King’s will have the thing you’re desperate so to seek.”
With fallen pride I turned my stride and step toward Abbeygate
I would not fail in my pursuit, though the hour was growing late
 
I’ll chase down all the evenin’
I’ll chase down all the day
Until my lips they taste the kiss
Of heav’n, come what may
 
Come what may! (COME WHAT MAY!)
Come what may! (COME WHAT MAY!)
Until my lips they taste the kiss
Of heav’n, come what may
 
And there it was, a shimmering glint in the gaslight up ahead
A curve so unmistakable and a hint of ruby red
Revered within Tigh Neachtains, holding ev’ry man in thrall
I walked as in the loaming, with little ken or wherewithal
 
But as I drifted closer, looks of sorrow shook me wake
“You’re much too late, lad, haver on—don’t tarry, heavn’s sake!
No longer will you find here what you’ve yearned to so admire
Best get you to St. James’s Gate to hasten your desire.”
 
I’ll chase down all the evenin’
I’ll chase down all the day
Until my lips they taste the kiss
Of heav’n, come what may
 
Come what may! (COME WHAT MAY!)
Come what may! (COME WHAT MAY!)
Until my lips they taste the kiss
Of heav’n, come what may
 
By now the dawn was breaking, my journey long and cold
Three hours east to Dublin where I wandered streets of old
The city slept in quiet, ancient stones made not a sound
I turned a silent corner and fair collapsed at what I’d found
 
In the hush a doorway opened, and a pale hand waved me near
“Enter, friend, and meet the one you’ve much too long revered.”
Shaking I stepped forward and gently cradled in my hands
The finest pint of Guinness ever poured in Ireland
 
I’ll chase down all the evenin’
I’ll chase down all the day
Until my lips they taste the kiss
Of heav’n, come what may
 
Come what may! (COME WHAT MAY!)
Come what may! (COME WHAT MAY!)
Until my lips they taste the kiss
Of heav’n, come what may
 
Come what may! (COME WHAT MAY!)
Come what may! (COME WHAT MAY!)