Lyr Req: Jim Larkin RIP

Subject: Lyr Req: Jim Larkin RIP
From: Young Buchan
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 09:55 AM

... And when at length it comes around
That working men are free,
We'll sing of one great fighting man -
Jim Larkin RIP.

(I know RIP is a strange way of spelling Larkin, but that's how Gaelic works.)

I once had the rest of the words that go with those lines, but I long since lost them. They aren't in Deasey's biography, but I have a strong feeling they are in one of the Colm O Lochlainn collections. (I know Colm O Lochlainn is a funny way to spell Cecil Sharp, but that's how Gaelic works.)

Can anyone supply, please.

Subject: Lyr Add: JIM LARKIN, R.I.P.
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 10:26 AM

There you go. I must admit I've seen better poetry, but you'd go a long way to find sentiments as admirable.

20.—JIM LARKIN, R.I.P.

Come listen a while you Irish men, and hear my mournful news.
Although it is quite sorrowful, I know you'll me excuse.
Come join my lamentation for one who was our friend.
He led the tortured workers and made the bosses bend.

A great man like Jim Larkin, we never can replace.
He fought our fight in dark '13 when the Peelers he did face.
We lost our fight, but still we won, for Jim was not outdone,
And as the troubled years rolled on, his fight and ours he won.

When Ireland honours heroes bold, who fought to make her free,
The name of brave Jim Larkin will be there for all to see.
He fought to save the working man from bondage and from woe,
And his name will long be honoured no matter where you go.

He was treated to the batons by the Forces of the Crown;
But bullies' guns or batons they could never keep him down.
The worker is a freeman now by his persevering fight,
And his prospects for the future have never been so bright.

So, God rest your soul, Jim Larkin. May Heaven be your home.
May St. Patrick take you to the Land from where you'll never roam,
And when a day in Ireland dawns that North and South are free,
We will think of one great fighting man and just say: R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jim Larkin RIP
From: Young Buchan
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 11:43 AM

Thank you very much.
Reading it, I agree with you about the poetry.
Clearly the version I once had had been softened up a bit by the folk process.
I'll sing it a couple of thousand times and see what happens!