The Best Road Is The Road Out Poem by Francis Duggan

The best road in Northern Ireland is the road out of it she say
Near forty per cent unemployment it has always been that way
And who is to disagree with her as Sharon ought to know
For she lived in Northern Ireland up to a few short months ago.

I was starved of opportunity so I left County Down
And I came to live near Melbourne found work near bigger town
Ten per cent unemployment and the Aussies moan and whine
And they feel happy in Northern Ireland if it's under thirty nine.

I will return to Northern Ireland to visit my family
But I won't be staying in County Down there's nothing there for me
Unemployment bad as ever and no opportunities
And the young people still leaving for big cities over seas.

She now lives in Olinda just east of Melbourne Town
A tall young woman with mouse brown hair Sharon from County Down
She plans to visit Queensland and from there she'll make her way
To Ulster and Greyabbey and home for Christmas Day.