One of the greatest songs about the effect of the famine in ireland, based on a true story of how times were. here is the wordsfor those who dont have them....
KILKELLY
(Peter Jones)
Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 60 my dear and loving son John,
Your good friend in school master Pat McNamera so good to write these words down
Your brothers have all gone to find work in England, the house is so empty and sad
The crop of potatoes has sorely infected a ¨÷ to a ¨ö of the land
Your sister Bridget and Patrick O'Donnell are going to be married in June
Your mother says not to work on the railroad be sure to come on home soon
Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 70 my dear and loving son John
Hello to your misses and your four children may they grow healthy and strong
Michael has got in a wee bit of trouble I suppose he never will learn
Cause of the darkness there's no turf to speak of and now we have noting to burn
Bridget is happy you name the child for her though she's got six of her own
You say you have found work but you wont say what kind or when you'll be coming home
Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 80 dear Michael John, my sons.
I am sorry to give you the very sad news your dear old mother has gone
We buried her down at the church in Kilkelly your brothers and Bridget were there
You don't have to worry she died very quickly remember her in your prayers
And its so good to here that Michaels returning with money he is sure to buy land
For the crop has been poor and the people are selling any price that they can
Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 90 my dear and loving son John
I suppose that I must be close on 80 its 30 years since you have gone
Because of all that money you sent me I am still living on my own
Michael has built himself a fine house and Bridge's daughters have grown
Thank you for sending your family picture there lovely young women and men
You say u might even come for a visit what joy to see you again
Kilkelly Ireland 18 and 92 my dear brother John
I am sorry I didn't write sooner to tell you that father has gone
He was living with Bridget, she said he was cheerful and healthy right down to the end
You should have seen him play with the grandchildren Pat McNamara your friend
And we buried him alongside of mother down at Kilkelly churchyard
He was a strong and feisty old man considering his life was so hard
And its funny the way he kept talking about you, he called for you at the end
Ohh why don't you think about coming to visit we'd all like to see you again.
Slainte
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sj