1)She was born into a peaceful life,
She was held and loved most every day.
She knew the love of a father’s touch,
She nearly had her every way.
5)But then one quiet August night,
Her lovely life turned upside-down.
Her precious mother’s heart did stop,
A death in an English town.
With her mother’s life now gone forever,
10)Emmaline’s father began to mourn.
He went to the pub ‘bout every night
And returned in the early morn.
The burning breath of alcohol,
The choking stench of smoke
15)Surrounded Emmy and the house
Whene’er her father woke.
The love she’d known was now gone,
Replaced by fear and pain.
Poor Emmaline, she still stood strong,
20)Though her tears still fell like rain.
Then came the day the walls broke down.
She could not take it anymore.
Her father chased her to her room,
She slammed and locked the door.
25)His drunken voice, it filled her head,
She cried and covered her ears.
She made a plan to escape the pain,
She was done with all her fears.
In the heat of that summer night
30)Emmy quietly packed her things.
She quickly made her way outside,
And felt as though she had wings.
As she boarded the midnight bus
She heard a lovely sound.
35)Near the back, a boy and guitar
Played for everyone around.
She slowly walked in his direction.
She watched his fingers go to work.
He moved like a dream she’d forgotten
40)Back before her heart was broke.
He looked at her, he smiled softly
The smile cut through like broken glass.
His Irish brogue stopped her breath and
He said, “Where ye from little lass?”
45) “It don’ matter where I come from,”
She said in a voice so sweet.
“It only matters where I’m goin’.
Just me and my two worn feet.”
She looked at the man and he at her,
It seemed like love at first sight
On the midnight bus to Liverpool.
