The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #98567   Message #2265001
Posted By: Susanne (skw)
17-Feb-08 - 08:46 PM
Thread Name: Luke Kelly, 17 Nov 1940 - 30 Jan 1984 -Luke's 23rd
Subject: RE: Luke's 23rd
It may be in the DT or elsewhere in the forum, but as it features in this thread, here is

LUKE - A TRIBUTE
(Micheál O'Caoimh)

The years have passed, the winds have blown
Since first I saw you there
With feet apart to the music moved
Your bright red curling hair
The spotlights shone in colours bright
Reflecting on your face
The music notes soared sweet and clear
In the spirit of your race

Your songs told tales of peace and joy
Of sorrow and of love
The power and passion of your voice
Soared heavenly above
And from the inner soul and heart
With emotion in each song
You stirred the hearts of many, Luke
When you sang of right and wrong

The humour of those laughing eyes
Was shared in full with all
When you chose the songs to lift the hearts
That filled the music hall
The ecstasy and joy was felt
In chorus, clap and cheer
When the son of Róisín took the stage
The king of balladeers

I saw you sing a thousand times
Ten thousand songs or more
I still can clearly hear your voice
Though your time with us is o'er
For memories are all we have
When we think of you today
Your name we'll always honour, Luke
We're glad you passed this way

As sung by Christy Moore on 'Celebration', the Dubs' anniversary album. The tune is slow, a lament, and might well be taken from some other song.
BTW, the question came up in another thread why the song called him 'the son of Róisín', and someone explained that it had been his mother's name.
I too am sad I never had a chance to hear him live. He was one in a million.