Nathan … Read Full Bio ↴Nathan Carter (born 28 May 1990) is an Irish country singer.
Nathan was born in Liverpool to parents from Northern Ireland. He began playing the accordion at age 4 and at age 10, he won the title for All Ireland Title for Traditional Singing. At 18 he moved from Liverpool to live in Ireland.
His debut album, Starting Out, was released in 2007 and from then on he has been known for reviving the genre of Country and Irish in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. Nathan released his latest album Where I Wanna Be in August 2013. His cover of the single "Wagon Wheel" has topped the main Irish Singles Chart.
If I Get an Encore
Nathan Carter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
out for more,
I knew right then my future it was sealed.
I was bitten by the showband bug and ever since that wound
did not heel.
When I got my first accordion I played like hell to learn a
tune or two.
When I got a little better, wrote me ma a good-bye letter,And I took the Irish boat from Liverpool.
And if I got an encore I'd go home feeling like a king,
'Cause I love to play me old squeeze box and I get a lot of
pleasure when I sing.
I played Mullingar and County Clare, Dublin Cavan and
Kildare,
From Wexford right up to Donegal.
Though we often packed the dance halls I remember one night
there was no one there at all.
Ah, the road is long and weary and the miles they often seem
a heavy load,
But there's nothing feels better, with the band on stage
together,
And the crowd all shouting "Play One For The Road",
And if I got an encore I'd go home feeling like a king,
It's a two way situation, 'cause I get a lot of pleasure
when I sing.
And if I got an encore I'd go home feeling like a king,
'Cause I love to play me old squeeze box and I get a lot of
pleasure when I sing.
In the Allingham Bundoran, the tempature was soaring and the
craic was 90 up in Monaghan,'Tis a long way to the Hazel Tree, Kilarney and Tipperary,
It's always good to meet and make new friends.
I met all the girls in Limerick, ladies love to come along
and see the show.
Clonmany street is hard to beat, Castlebar Enniscourty and
Carlow and Claremorris in Mayo.
And if I got an encore I'd go home feeling like a king,
It's a two way situation, 'cause I get a lot of pleasure
when I sing.
And if I got an encore I'd go home feeling like a king,
'Cause I love to play me old squeeze box and I get a lot of
pleasure when I sing.
I played The Mellon and The Bushtown, The Ryandale and
Cookstown,
I played the famous Rainbow in Glenfarne.
Derrygonnelly Antrim Newry, Sligo Moath and 'Blaney.
And a wild night in Dungiven in a bar.
At festivals you'll see me there, there is no gig too big no
hall too small.
Ah, one day I'll get my wish to play The Marquee In
Drumlish,
And I love the dances in the Parish Halls.
And if I got an encore I'd go home feeling like a king,
It's a two way situation, 'cause I get a lot of pleasure
when I sing.
And if I got an encore I'd go home feeling like a king,
'Cause I love to play me old squeeze box and I get a lot of
pleasure when I sing.
The lyrics to Nathan Carter's song "If I Get an Encore" explore the joy and passion of being a showband musician. The opening lines reference Big Tom, a prominent Irish country singer who became famous in the 1960s through his performances in clubs and dance halls. The reference to the dancers crying out for more suggests the energy and enthusiasm that accompanied Big Tom's live shows, and forms the basis for the singer's own desire to perform.
The singer goes on to describe how he was "bitten" by the showband bug, and how he worked tirelessly to learn how to play his accordion. He left home to pursue his dream, taking a boat from Liverpool to Ireland and playing gigs across the country, from Dublin to Donegal. Despite the hard work and long hours, the singer always finds immense pleasure in performing, and would feel like a king if he were to receive an encore.
The lyrics also capture the sense of community and camaraderie that exists among showband musicians and their fans. The singer describes how he loves to meet and make new friends, and how the ladies from Limerick enjoy coming to see his shows. He references specific bars and dance halls where he has performed, and talks about his wish to one day play at the famous Marquee in Drumlish. Ultimately, the song celebrates the joy of music and the thrill of live performance, and encourages listeners to take pleasure in the simple things in life.
Line by Line Meaning
When I heard Big Tom in the Galtymore And the dancers crying out for more,
I knew right then my future it was sealed.
My passion for showband music was sparked when I first heard Big Tom at the Galtymore and saw how the audience hungered for more. In that moment, I realized that this was my path.
I was bitten by the showband bug and ever since that wound did not heal.
The experience at the Galtymore left a lasting impact on me, and I was forever hooked on showband music. It is a passion that still burns within me to this day.
When I got my first accordion I played like hell to learn a tune or two.
I was driven to master the accordion when I first got my hands on one. I practiced tirelessly to become proficient in playing a few tunes.
When I got a little better, wrote me ma a good-bye letter, And I took the Irish boat from Liverpool.
Once I had honed my skills to a certain level, I felt ready to pursue my dreams as a showband musician. I said farewell to my mother and left Liverpool for Ireland.
And if I got an encore I'd go home feeling like a king, 'Cause I love to play me old squeeze box and I get a lot of pleasure when I sing.
There is no greater satisfaction for me than to perform on stage and receive an encore. It makes me feel like royalty because I truly love playing my accordion and singing for a crowd.
Though we often packed the dance halls I remember one night there was no one there at all.
Despite having many successful performances where we filled the dance halls, I still remember a night when we had no audience at all. It reminds me that the road to success is not always easy.
But there's nothing feels better, with the band on stage together, And the crowd all shouting "Play One For The Road",
One of the most euphoric experiences for me is playing on stage with my bandmates and hearing the audience request an encore. It is a moment of pure joy and connection between performer and audience.
It's always good to meet and make new friends. I met all the girls in Limerick, ladies love to come along and see the show.
As I travel to perform in different towns and cities, I treasure the opportunity to meet new people and make friends. I have fond memories of the ladies in Limerick who enjoyed our show and added to the lively atmosphere.
And a wild night in Dungiven in a bar.
One night we performed in a bar in Dungiven and it turned into a wild and lively evening. It was an experience we won't forget.
At festivals you'll see me there, there is no gig too big no hall too small.
I am a dedicated musician who loves to perform at festivals, and I will play any gig regardless of the size or venue. I am committed to bringing showband music to a wide audience.
Ah, one day I'll get my wish to play The Marquee In Drumlish, And I love the dances in the Parish Halls.
I have a dream of playing at the prestigious Marquee in Drumlish, and I also cherish the smaller dances in parish halls. Both are important venues for me to share my music and connect with my fans.
Writer(s): christy moore
Contributed by Samantha D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.