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THis is an old irish song written by Peter Jones. It was based on letters that
were found. THese letters were from a father in ireland to his son in the usa.
The letters were found and this sad song was written. THe was it is played it can
be strummed or fingerpicked (which sounds better) and variations to the words and
the tune usualy go well. So here it is.
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Kilkelly Ireland By Peter Jones
Tabbed by Polly Monster
Intro: Am 2 times F two times G two times Am two times (repeat once)
Am F G Am
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 60, my dear and loving son John
Am F G
Your good friend the schoolmaster Pat McNamara's so good
Am
As to write these words down.
C G
Your brothers have all gone to find work in England,
F Em
The house is so empty and sad
Am F
The crop of potatoes is sorely infected,
G Am
A third to a half of them bad.
C G
And your sister Brigid and Patrick O'Donnell
F Em
Are going to be married in June.
Am F
Your mother says not to work on the railroad
G Am
And be sure to come on home soon.
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 70, dear and loving son John
Hello to your Mrs and to your 4 children,
May they grow healthy and strong.
Michael has got in a wee bit of trouble,
I guess that he never will learn.
Because of the dampness there's no turf to speak of
And now we have nothing to burn.
And Brigid is happy, you named a child for her
And now she's got six of her own.
You say you found work, but you don't say
What kind or when you will be coming home.
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 80, dear Michael and John, my sons
I'm sorry to give you the very sad news
That your dear old mother has gone.
We buried her down at the church in Kilkelly,
Your brothers and Brigid were there.
You don't have to worry, she died very quickly,
Remember her in your prayers.
And it's so good to hear that Michael's returning,
With money he's sure to buy land
For the crop has been poor and the people
Are selling at any price that they can.
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 90, my dear and loving son John
I guess that I must be close on to eighty,
It's thirty years since you're gone.
Because of all of the money you send me,
I'm still living out on my own.
Michael has built himself a fine house
And Brigid's daughters have grown.
Thank you for sending your family picture,
They're lovely young women and men.
You say that you might even come for a visit,
What joy to see you again.
(this part sounds good with or without the guitar but it does
slow down and it becomes very slow at the end)
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 92, my dear brother John
I'm sorry that I didn't write sooner to tell you that father passed on.
He was living with Brigid, she says he was cheerful
And healthy right down to the end.
Ah, you should have seen him play with
The grandchildren of Pat McNamara, your friend.
And we buried him alongside of mother,
Down at the Kilkelly churchyard.
He was a strong and a feisty old man,
Considering his life was so hard.
And it's funny the way he kept talking about you,
He called for you in the end.
Oh, why don't you think about coming to visit,
We'd all love to see you again.
