Music and lyrics by Richie Kavanagh
Chorus
The old dance hall is standing still its on the road near Garryhill.
The doors are open night an’ day its falling into a sad decay.
I walk along its empty floor an’ I think of all the nights before.
Eight lads playing there on the stage, the showbands then they were all the rage.
The old dance hall is standing still, it’s on the road near Garryhill.
Sure I can remember like yesterday, them showband lads could really play.
The sound of the trumpet an’ the saxophone, the lead, the rhythm an’ the slide trombone.
The drummer, the singer an’ a walking bass with the hundred watt amp sure they’d fill the place.
The band would call out, “next dance, please”
A fox trot you’d be guaranteed a squeeze.
You’d offer her a snack an’ a lemonade.
If she said yes you’d have it made.
Chorus
The old dance hall is standing, still its on the road near Garryhill.
The doors are open night an’ day its falling into a sad decay.
But I remember way back then, An’ we would dance there through the night.
(Johnny )….”Them were quar good auld times, lad”
( Richie)…”Did you meet the wife there Johnny?”
( Johnny )…”I did, ye”
( Richie))…”How long ago was that?”
(Johnny) …”I don’t know lad an’ she’d be raging if I auld ya.
About the Song,…..The Old Dance Hall in Garryhill.
The old dance hall in Garryhill, was built by some local lads, who were members of the FCA. It was a wooden structure, and they lads did their training there, We used to call it, ”The FCA Hut,’’
Some lads joined, “for the boots,” and having received same they were not seen again. It was the first place I sang on the stage, at our school concerts, and it was where I went to my first dance, to hear all the Showbands play. ”Great Auld Times and Thats The Truth”