Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel

Subject: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 08:27 AM

Son of the playright Brian, Garry was well known as a Gaelic footballer in his youth, spent most of his life as a solicitor in Newcastle West - and wrote many poems and ballads, mostly on sporting themes. I met him only once, in Miltown Malbay - when I heard him sing his fine song about Tom Crean, the explorer. He graciously sent me the words and encouraged me to sing it - wheich I have done frequently since!

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 08:30 AM

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 08:32 AM

Sorry about the typos. Here's a link to a Real Audio interview with Garry.
Click Here

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: MartinRyan
Date: 08 Mar 08 - 07:28 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 08 Mar 08 - 09:11 PM

Not another one gone! We're losing them to the Heavenly choir thick and fast. I'm very sorry to hear it. I wonder if there's any of his material on that album of hurling songs by Éamonn Ó Faogáin? I didn't know he'd written one about Tom Crean (who's a brilliant subject for a ballad). R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: MartinRyan
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 05:17 AM

Click here for the Tom Crean song. Not surprisingly, of course, it has more than a whiff of the sporting ballad about it!

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: MartinRyan
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 05:22 AM

when I look at the version I posted five years ago, I realise that I've changed the song around a little since Garry sent it to me. I'll post the set I now use later, as a minor example of the folk process at work!

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: MartinRyan
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 05:45 AM

Here's the way I now sing it:

TOM CREAN OF ANNASCAUL
(Ballad for an unsung hero)


It's of an unsung hero that I mean for to tell you now
A native son of Ireland and if time will me allow
Of a noble-hearted Kerryman, the truth I will recall
I will sing his fame, his deeds proclaim – Tom Crean of Annascaul

In eighteen and seventy seven, a farmer's son he first saw light
And when he was young, the Gaelic tongue he spoke with great delight
He was one of ten, in that mountain glen, when the seas loud roar did call
Carefree and brave, on the ocean wave went Crean of Annascaul

On board the Ringarooma for New Zealand he set sail
As an able bodied seaman in the teeth of wind and gale
He was soon on board Discovery and with Captain Scott installed
On the high seas to Antarctica went Crean of Annascaul

For three long years in that frozen waste, he faithfully did serve
Until at last he sailed back home, on shore leave well deserved
In nineteen ten he was back again, once more for to give his all
And his burning goal was to reach the Pole – Tom Crean of Annascaul

On that fatal final journey Captain Scott he said "Turn back!"
So with Lashly and with Evans bold, Tom headed for the shack
It broke his heart for to depart and down the tears did fall
And his captain he would ne'er more see – Tom Crean of Annascaul

As they struggled back to Hut Point, sure the wind cut to the bone
Evans ill, lay stiff and still, while Tom marched on alone
For forty miles in the frost and snow he stumbled and he crawled
for to save his brave companions did, Tom Crean of Annascaul

And he made an epic voyage all in an open boat
With Worsley and with Shackleton – sure, 'twas God kept them afloat
Eight hundred miles on the ocean wide before they made landfall
To rescue gallant comrades, led by Crean of Annascaul


To late we give him honour and we celebrate his fame
While a mountain and a glacier will forever bear his name
In a tomb in Ballinacourty he awaits the final call
From his long sleep in the Kerry hills – Tom Crean of Annascaul.

So, one verse dropped, one line significantly changed line - and a host of minor adaptations to the slower, freer tune I use. I hope he doesn't mind!

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: GUEST,DOnal O Mahony
Date: 11 Mar 08 - 09:36 AM

Does anyone have the words for the hills around listowel?

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: MartinRyan
Date: 11 Mar 08 - 10:35 AM

I heard a recording of him singing it on Irish radio (Radio 1) at the weekend. Might have been Sunday Morning Miscellany? It may turn up as a podcast.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 09:26 AM

Thanks will try that Donal

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: GUEST,'Songman'
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 09:37 AM

Garry produced a lovely CD in 2007 called 'Songman',It includes the following; The Land of the Gael, Let me see the World, Golden Leaves, Ireland my Home forever More, The Kingdom Walz, I will love you Till I die,An Effin Man, The Prince of Peace is born, The Hills around Listowel, Peace to Ireland, My Own Newcastle West, and The Kingdom's Green and Gold.

The CD is available directly from Owen McMahon,
Patrick G.McMahon Solicitor's, The Square, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.
353-069-62200
cost; 17 euro including postage; Proceeds from sale of this CD in Ireland will benefit St. Gabriel's Centre, For the mentally and physically Handicapped, Dooradoyle, Limerick.
Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 06:51 PM

Thanks for that.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: GUEST,HalfStack
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 02:13 PM

Does anyone know the lyrics to ballad of listowel by Bryan Mc Mahon?

Subject: RE: Obit: Garry McMahon of Listowel
From: GUEST,ourrootsundertherock.com
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 07:00 AM

Please Let Me See The World
It's a miracle, a sweet mystery,
How an act of love has created me,
Let me leave this haven with dignity,
So that I can see the world.
   
         Let me hear the skylark greet the morn',
         Let me walk through fields of golden corn,   
         Say Yes to life and let me be born,      
         I just want to see the world.

Keep me here inside you safe and warm,
Don't heed those others who'd do me harm,
So that one day soon Ill be in your arms,And then I can see the world.
   
       Will I build Cathedrals tall and grand,
       Be a Surgeon skilled with healing hand,
       Or marry a farmer and love the land?
       Who knows if I see the world.

Will I see my mother's smiling face,
As she cradles me in a fond embrace?
Don't let me vanish without a trace,
I just want to see the world.

       I have ten small fingers and ten small toes,
       I have two blue eyes and a button nose,
       And how far I'll go God only knows,
       If I just can see the world.

Please let me see the world.

                            Copyright; Garry McMahon

This song was written by the late Garry McMahon 1937-2008, Solicitor, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick and it can be downloaded for charity in aid of St. Gabriel's School, Dooradoyle, Limerick www.ourrootsundertherock.com