[00:00.000] 作曲 : Traditional
[00:12.43]Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and sixty, my dear and lovin' son John
[00:21.03]Your good friend the Schoolmaster Pat McNamara
[00:25.83]So good as to write these words down
[00:29.78]Your brothers have all gone to find work in England
[00:35.00]The house is so empty and sad
[00:39.09]The crop of potatoes is sorely infected
[00:43.33]A third to a half of them bad
[00:47.74]And your sister Brigid and Patrick O'Donnell
[00:52.50]Are going to be married in June
[00:56.69]Your mother says not to work on the railroad
[01:00.93]And be sure to come on home soon
[01:05.86]
[01:05.87]Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and sixty, my dear and lovin' son John
[01:14.24]Hello to your missus and to your four children
[01:18.68]May they grow healthy and strong
[01:23.05]Michael has got in a wee bit of trouble
[01:27.17]I suppose he never will learn
[01:31.73]Because of the dampness there's no turf to speak of
[01:36.36]And now we have nothing to burn
[01:40.50]And Brigid is happy, you named a child for her
[01:45.00]Although she's got six of her own
[01:49.30]You say you've found work
[01:51.51]But you don't say what kind
[01:53.63]Or when you'll be comin' home
[01:58.42]
[01:58.43]Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and eighty, dear Michael and John my sons
[02:06.66]I'm sorry to give you the very sad news
[02:12.12]Your mother has gone
[02:15.65]We buried her down at the church in Kilkelly
[02:19.90]Your brothers and Bridget were there
[02:24.02]You don't have to worry, she died very quickly
[02:28.68]Remember her in your prayers
[02:32.82]And it's so good to hear that Michael's returning with money he's sure to buy land
[02:41.51]For the crop has been poor and the people are selling
[02:46.64]For any price that they can
[02:50.50]
[02:50.51]Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and ninety, my dear and lovin' son John
[02:59.09]I suppose that I must be close on eighty
[03:03.50]It's thirty years since you've gone
[03:07.47]Because of all of the money you sent me
[03:12.12]I'm still living' out of my own
[03:16.38]Michael has built himself a fine house
[03:20.96]And Bridget's daughters have grown
[03:25.35]And thank you for sendin' your family picture
[03:29.92]They're lovely young women and men
[03:34.12]You say you might even come for a visit
[03:38.38]What a joy to see you again
[03:44.43]
[03:44.44]Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and ninety two, my dear brother John
[03:51.60]I'm sorry I didn't write sooner to tell you that father has gone
[04:00.60]He was living with Brigid, she said he was cheerful and healthy right down to the end
[04:09.19]And you should have seen him play with the grandchildren
[04:13.95]Of Pat McNamara your friend
[04:17.96]And we buried him alongside of mother
[04:22.34]Down at Kilkelly churchyard
[04:26.68]He was a strong and a feisy old man
[04:31.31]Considering that life is so hard
[04:35.35]And it's funny the way he kept talkin' about you
[04:40.25]He called for you at the end
[04:44.75]And why don't you think about comin' to visit
[04:49.79]We'd all love to see you again