Catch Me If You Can
Brendan Shine Lyrics


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I'm a Páidín
From Tullabhadín
I've got money and acres of land
I'm looking for a honey, with a bit of money
Catch me if you can, me name is Dan sure I'm yer man.

I like the ceili, and the Stack of Barley
I like the waltzes, the oul jigs and the reels
I like swinging, when Big Tom is singing
Catch me if you can, me name is Dan
Sure I'm your man.

And I'm off to Lisdoonvarna at the end of the year
I'm off for the bit of craic, the women and the beer!
I'm awful shifty for a man of fifty,
Catch me if you can, me name is Dan sure I'm yer man!

I've got a brother, he's in the Gardaí
I've got an uncle, he's up there in the Dáil
He's quite a charmer, Geez a mighty farmer
Catch me if you can me name is Dan sure I'm yer man.

Now to conclude and finish my story.
If there's a young one, looking for a man,
Take the bus from Bearna, down to Lisdoonvarna
Catch me if you can, me name is Dan sure I'm yer man!

And I'm off to Lisdoonvarna at the end of the year
I'm off for the bit of craic, the women and the beer!




I'm awful shifty for a man of fifty,
Catch me if you can, me name is Dan sure I'm yer man!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Brendan Shine's song "Catch Me If You Can" depict a man named Dan who is confident and proud of his wealth and land. He is on the lookout for a woman with some money to match his own. Dan enjoys music, particularly ceili dances and the smooth voice of Big Tom, and is headed to Lisdoonvarna for some fun, women, and beer. Despite being fifty, Dan sees himself as still quite the catch and elusive to those trying to catch him. The song is essentially a boastful and playful expression of a man's enjoyment of life and his own attractiveness.


The opening lines of the song "I'm a Páidín from Tullabhadín, I've got money and acres of land" establish Dan as coming from a place of wealth and prosperity. He is looking specifically for a woman who can match him financially, indicating a level of importance he places on status and financial stability. Furthermore, he highlights his love of music, particularly the traditional Irish dances that signify a celebration of Irish culture. His destination at Lisdoonvarna, which is famous for its annual matchmaking festival, reveals that he is looking for more than just a night out but potentially a relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a Páidín
I am a small, sturdy and mischievous young man


From Tullabhadín
I come from a small village in Ireland


I've got money and acres of land
I am wealthy and own lots of land


I'm looking for a honey, with a bit of money
I am seeking a woman with some money or wealth


Catch me if you can, me name is Dan sure I'm yer man.
I am a bit of a troublemaker and a ladies' man, and I dare you to try and catch me


I like the ceili, and the Stack of Barley
I enjoy traditional Irish dancing


I like the waltzes, the oul jigs and the reels
I enjoy a variety of traditional Irish music and dancing


I like swinging, when Big Tom is singing
I enjoy dancing to the music of Big Tom, a popular Irish singer


And I'm off to Lisdoonvarna at the end of the year
I am planning to attend the annual matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna


I'm off for the bit of craic, the women and the beer!
I am going to Lisdoonvarna to have a good time, meet women and drink beer


I'm awful shifty for a man of fifty,
I may be fifty years old, but I'm still full of energy and up to no good


I've got a brother, he's in the Gardaí
My brother is a police officer in Ireland


I've got an uncle, he's up there in the Dáil
My uncle is a member of the Irish parliament


He's quite a charmer, Geez a mighty farmer
My uncle is a charismatic figure and a successful farmer


Now to conclude and finish my story.
To wrap up what I have to say


If there's a young one, looking for a man,
If there is a young woman seeking a partner


Take the bus from Bearna, down to Lisdoonvarna
Travel from Bearna to Lisdoonvarna


Catch me if you can, me name is Dan sure I'm yer man!
Come find me and see if you can keep up, because I am Dan and I am your man!




Contributed by Nora L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@kwaldog

As a proud plastic paddy London born this is the themetune to my childhood ...I miss my mum and dad 🍀

@jayd1974

Same here pal I’m a plastic Manchester Irish fella reminds me of me auld fella🇮🇪👍

@mayo4sam228

Anyone who knows this song is 100% irish. Nothing plastic about ye

@jimcasey1975

Same here for me in Boston. Every Saturday morning at 10:30 sharp my dad would be putting on the Irish music radio show. All day long. I didn’t love it back then,I do now!! And miss my dad....☘️☘️☘️

@kevinwallace962

@@mayo4sam228 Your right there Sam its just a terminology...I'm 100 per cent Irish you got that right 🍻

@samholden4171

My late Irish dad used to sing this at pubs.This always reminds me of him xxx

@ravenhill_the_cryptic_of_1968

i heard this once in an irish pub long ago, a legendary song.

@liamflynn8278

my grandad loved this song it always reminded him of home i know he is up in heaven listening to this.
GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU ALWAYS REST IN PEACE. JOHN FLYNN 1922-1988

@user-kt7cx6eq4e

Aw am thinking of you I lost my mum's 4 years ago this April and I'm not looking forward to this April it was the 13th my mum sadly passed away with this song it makes me think of my mum God bless her and may she rest in peace

@jodavo22

My Nan & Grandad brought me up on Irish music and this was our favourite, love it!

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