烤鴨聽歌學口語：第六十八期--kilkelly Ireland

　　Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and sixty,

　　my dear and lovin' son John

　　Your good friend the Schoolmaster Pat McNamara,

　　so good as to write these words down.

　　1.______________________

　　the house is so empty and sad,

　　The crop of potatoes is sorely affected,

　　a third to a half of them bad.

　　And your sister Bridget and Patrick O'Donnell,

　　are goin' to be married in June,

　　Your mother says not to work on the railway,

　　and be sure to come on home soon

　　Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and seventy,

　　dear and lovin' son John

　　Hello to your missus and to your four children,

　　may they grow healthy and strong

　　Michael has got in a wee bit of trouble,

　　I suppose that he never will learn

　　Because of the dampness there's no turf to speak of

　　and now there is nothing to burn.

　　And Bridget is happy you named the child for her,

　　although she's got six of her own

　　You say you've found work,

　　but you don't say what kind,

　　and when you'll be comin' home

　　Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and eighty,

　　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 at Kilkelly,

　　your brothers and Bridget were there,

　　You don't have to worry, she died very quickly,

　　2.______________________

　　And it's so good to know that Michael's returning

　　with money he's sure to buy land

　　For the crop has been poor and the people are selling,

　　for any price that they can

　　Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and ninety,

　　my dear and lovin' son John

　　I suppose that I must be close on eighty,

　　it's been thirty years since you've gone

　　Because of all of the money you sent me,

　　I'm still living' out of my own

　　Michael has built himself a fine house,

　　and Bridget's daughters have grown

　　And thank you for sendin' your family picture,

　　they're lovely young women and men

　　You say you might even come for a visit,

　　3.______________________

　　Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and ninety two,

　　my dear brother John,

　　I'm sorry I didn't write sooner,

　　to tell you that father has gone.

　　He was living with Brigid, she said he was

　　cheerful and healthy right down to the end

　　Or you should have seen him play with the grandchildren,

　　of Pat McNamara your friend.

　　And we buried him alongside of your mother,

　　down at Kilkelly churchyard

　　He was a strong and a feisty old man,

　　considering that life was so hard.

　　And it's funny the way he kept talkin' about you,

　　he called for you at the end

　　And why don't you think about comin' to visit,

　　we'd all love to see you again