DEAR CM(67)
We went to London and Danced on Clapham Common.Picked conkers from a tree on the Common and saw magpie leis fhéín at victoria station. Saw where Gráinne mhaol came up the thames to put smacht on banríon sasanna .Going on the plane they took our conkers out of our bags and threw them in the bin they thought we were going to throw them at the pilot.How did you start tuning your guitar down in the begining.?Do you like it when people howl at the moon while youre singing Joxer?
RS(13) CS(8)
Christy's reply
Dear R + C (=21) Clapham Common will never be the same…I slept there for a few nights in The Summer of 1962….thats shocking repressive behaviour, confiscating your conkers in such a manner….imagine the brouhaha if that happened the other way round…I got my first guitar lesson in 1961…in the following months I somehow managed to mis-tune my 6th string UP to f …by the time my second lesson came about the damage was done…in the following 51 years I have never managed to undo that tuning fiaso…in the main, it has been a hindrance to my progressing as a player….in another way it has allowed me to focus much more on my singing and upon the songs….I have also had the priviledge of playing with many of Irelands great guitar players…Declan Sinnott, Donal Lunny, Jimmy Faulkner, Steve Cooney, Arty McGlynn,Robbie Overson,Natie Comerford, Anto Drennan, Des Moore, Jimmy Smith, Sheamie O’Dowd, Philip Donnolly to name a few those who spring to mind this Autumn Morning…I think I know that magpie at Victoria, a hungry hopping divvil, I once fed a chip to his great-great-great grandmother while waiting for a train…she stared me in the eye without as much as a thank you sqauwk……..PS I nearly forgot to tell ye that I love when the dogs howl in Joxer…occasionally it does not happen and I always have a sense of disappointment at the absence of my pack of howlers…there are a few particularily good specimens. One wolf down in Cork would frighten the life out you with his howl..I have seen people change their seats to move away from him so true is canine yodel..to make matters worse he farts loudly and constantly but , unlike his singing, his farts are always perfectly in tune
Good morning Christy. Hope you’re well, haven’t been around here in a while. Just listening to ‘This is the Day’ lately. Was wondering if you ever sing that song ‘How Long’ any more. ByGod its powerful stuff.
Christy's reply
Morra Seanie ….we sing it often in the dressing room as part of our warm up, it gets a occasional airing in the gig…let me know anytime you’re gonna be about and we’ll lash it into the set… was down your way recently..had a long walk around and met a few quare hawks……The Honda 50 Man is abroad in Europe cooking up a storm, sez he is going to write a few more hits. Playing in The Shortgrass next Saturday, in serious training
always liked the version of back home in Derry on this Album.. time to dig it out again … .. vinyl is comeing back.. a vinyl shop has opened up down the road from me delighed .. and a good bit of choice … Dylan, Joni mitchell .. the hearts .. what more could one ask for .. . i think il be back down there again …. .
Christy's reply
must have a listen to that album myself…do you know Chris McGranaghan at “those old records” he posts a lot on 4711ers.org and has a very interesting vinyl shop across the water…I have bought a few bits of vinyl from him myself and his service is impeccable…hope all is well at the picture house and that you are not snaffling too many boxes of Irish Rose
Hi Christy just saw your comment about The Spirit of Freedom being recorded and mixed in one day, now thats what I’d call one hell of a days work fair play, have to keep me head down here there’s nothing but flags and slitors flying around here keep well face the puck out
Christy's reply
The Cats have had a very long innings…it may very well continue, but them poor tired kittens deserve some quiet time…some of their mentors seem to be on the verge of victory meltdown…keep them sliotars flying for its time to spread the McCarthy silver around a bit…
Hi Christy.. Picked up the guitar and strained my voice, and setting out into the world of singing songs.. Read your book ‘One Voice’ it was fantastic. You are to young Irish singers, what the star was to the three wise men and shepherds. Top fella. Roll on the 13th of October in Cavan.
Ps. Was talking to you a friend of yours in Marjorca, Kevin Heaslep of The Auld Triangle in Santa Ponsa, manys a night I got him to sing ‘The Contender.’
Regards, Keelan James
Christy's reply
sing out and sing on James….the new voices of the young singers keeps the process in motion…keeps our ears open
So the fervour has abated and my jingo has faded. I am looking onwards and upwards to the neon and the sawdust of the Clyde. But my question is….what of the Bord Gais Electric Theatre? Am I to bring the rattling jewellery and the Phillip Treacy or shall I pack a hammer and some hobnail boots? xx Ps I hope this note finds you as polished as Boris Johnson’s ascending star. xx
Christy's reply
The Bord Gais Energy Theatre formerly known as Grand Canal Theatre, ( aka Hari Nama Hall ) The naming rights went to the highest bidder…( it could have been Col Saunder’s Hall or Anne Summer’s Auditorium or The Shell/BP Rooms )….I’d say that the Phil Tracey and bit of jewellery would be adequate….
Hi All… Off topic I know but,,,,, best of luck to both Donegal & Mayo,,, but I think I know more Donegal 4711ers,,,,so….. anyway the West is Awake,,, and there are gigs a plenty for those of us not going to Croker !! … great to see Vicar St tickets on sale soon,,,, but more gigs before that,,,, beir bua. H
Christy's reply
there are people dreaming of “The Hills of Donegal”…..”Take me home to Mayo”…..good opening act too, Royal v The Boys in Blue…….dont forget the Frank harte this weekend and Steve Cooney at Vicar St next week….see you along the road…Mountmellick here we come
Crouch touch set. Is the new one christy.thank god it was a bit zzzzzzz.Listening to the spirit of freedom today,Boy from Tamlaghtduff and Deportee and Michael Gaughan,powerfull songs.
Christy's reply
used to be crash, grind and strike (against the head)…Ray Prosser and Gordon Wood still in my mind’s eye…Cliff Morgan and Andy Mulligan….AJF O’Reilly running in from the halfway line with half the opposition hanging off him…….the Spirit of Freedom was recorded and mixed on a single day
Howya Christy, feels like a long time since we seen you last in the forum, having withdrawals here, counting the days to the Barrowland, just got the flights and hotel booked there 🙂 I was wondering what the meaning of Yellow Triange was? I’ve been listening to it more and more recently. I was also walking through the town today where I head a young fella play the guitar and sing A Pair of Brown Eyes, couldn’t help but stand and admire how well he sung it…. it’s great to see the up and coming talent
Ride On…..
Christy's reply
Many years ago a radical lady, the late Phyllis McGhee sent me a postcard containing of words of Pastor Niemoeller who was a Holocaust victim….the song is based on his words…the various coloured triangles were worn by different groupings in Hitler’s concentration camps……..A Pair of Brown Eyes is a stunning song…McGowans Words and Jem Finers Melodies have created some of the greatest songss of recent times…as always, I look forward to Barrowland once again…there are many venues around the world I favour but this old ballroom has a special place in my heart…it may be my favourite venue…its tatty and worn, its threadbare and tired BUT when them songbirds come up the stairs they transform it to the Church Of Ceilidh, they dance beneath the Carousel of healing and we jitterbug and boogie the night away
Hi Christy!, I am delighted to say my wife is getting me tickets to see your upcoming show in Vicar St, Dublin! (An early Christmas present!!)
I first heard your music when I visited Dublin a few back, and I’ve been a huge fan ever since.
It will be my first time at one of your gigs, and im so excited!! Can you tell me a little of what to expect!!
Keep Ridin’ On Christy!
Christy's reply
you can expect a room full of songsters gathered to hear a brace of songs old and new..you can expect two long haul guitar slingers seeking to trade notes and melodies and harmonies for all they’re worth…the one will have hair flying in all directions, the other sweating to beat the band….two hours of pain and suffering, riffs and rolls, crack and banter, sorrow and sadness..around you will be plain clothes transvestites, undercover policemen in drag, doctors and drug addicts, nuns home from the missions ( mad hoors when they get going) retired terriorists, active pensioners, actresses, sword swalliers, 4711ers, trainee balladsingers,…we get lots of Yanks comin over for the crack, we had 8 Japanese in last year and a piper from Sausalito
Hi Christy. Thanks for a brilliant concert on the 14th in Navan. My first time was in tent in Garristown Co Dublin about ’77/’78 (Planxty)and I have been to quite a few in between. Tks for memories of Conor he was a “great one”. I was “yer man” that told you of Noel Collier and talking to Noel, made his night. Noel is an important person to us in Kentstown/Beauparc, with all his difficulties he gives life a great crack and is an example to us all. as hector woulf say “keep her lit” and tks again for a great night. PM
Christy's reply
I rem that tent gig in Garristown for a variety of reasons none of them musical…good to see you again…the Solstice went well, a great welcome from the Royal County…glad that Noel Collier enjoyed the outing as much as I did….my late Godmother, Maeve Laffan came from Beauparc. Herself and my Mother ( Nancy Power from Ardmulchan) were best friends all of their lives
Hi Christy, haven’t seen you for a good many years. You used to come back to our house after your gig at our folk club. Great times. You once had a white kitten from us, remember? We have been to Dublin 2 or 3 times hoping to see you but no such luck.
All the very best, Christy and keep singing “Curragh of Kildare” for me please …….
Christy's reply
that same Kitten got me in terrible trouble roaming the fields of Yorkshire worrying sheep..had the Keightley animal protection society on to me and eventually had to move to Manchester where that white kitten of Lincs grew into a large tab who disappeared with an unruly Lancs Tom..they set up a commune out near Moss Side. There has not been a mouse in those parts for years
Hi Christy, Its my husband’s 40th birthday on 14th October, we’re going (as a surprise) to your gig in Cavan on 13th… He’s a huge fan, it would really make his day if you could say hello to him? I’d really appreciate it… Thanks! Siobhán
Hello Christy just thought I would say hello just letting you know that I am still here,I am due for a gig now it’s been a while,But with 2 mad boys and work its hard to get time,But one can try,Hoping to see you and dec soon,All the best from Wales,At least the rugby has started.
Hello over there hope this finds you in good health. I a was sitting here thinking about when I was back home years ago and was about 8 or 9 or so and my lovely neighbour had a dog that was shot and the poor woman could not handle it well as she was very fond of the dog. I could never get the story out of my head and every now and again I would think very deeply about it and thats about 30 years ago now but I never forgot it and I thought in some way I would pay tribute to her and the dog as neither had any other family and are now well forgotten. It is only now that having dogs myself I realize what great friends they are and what the poor woman must have felt like at the time. Anyhow all the best Christy chat later..
The dog came out of nowhere and arrived at Kitty’s gate,
looking for some water and a bite to ate.
A ragged looking collie, a smile inside his eyes,
a friendly kinda fella, his cuts were full of flies.
“He must have took a beating, or run in with a car”
said Kitty as she threw him some sausages from spar.
“Come over here” she yelled “I’ll keep you for tonight”
“And never mind your barking, or you’ll go out like a light.”
The dog ran in the mobile home and lay beneath the chair,
he never made a sound all night, he didn’t move a hair.
He woke up in the morning , another chance at life,
and stole poor Kitty’s heart away, the butter and the knife.
When we were walking home from school we’d pet the dog awhile,
and have a chat with Kitty, she always had a smile.
The two of them the best of friends as happy as could be,
the dog brought so much joy to her, and she so much to he.
One day around 1 or so a knock came to her door,
the farmer she’d sold all her land to , many years before.
“Wheres that fucking dog of yours” he killed 2 of my sheep,
he dragged the dog outside the door and tied him with a rope.
Kitty weak from shock could hardly look around,
and shaking like a winter leaf, her knees fell to the ground.
The dog outside yelped so loud, he even woke the moths,
Then the bollix of a farmer let him have the shots.
He threw the dog outside the gate and and left him there alone,
And Kitty saw her best friend dead, outside her mobile home.
Dick the dog was gone, the village friend was dead,
It wasn’t him that killed the sheep, he never left his bed.
My mother she knew Kitty well, and often she did say,
“She has never been the same again, since that awful day”
She could not speak about it, her eyes would fill with tears,
she lived alone from that day on into her dying years.
Christy's reply
when I was 14 I saw a man shoot his dog ….the beautiful wee pup had disturbed a pheasant that the man was preparing to shoot….53 years later I still feel the horror of that moment…thanks for sharing your song
Hi Christy, Hope all is well with you and that you had a couple of good nights above in Navan. I happened to be in Dublin myself at the weekend, loads of gigs on but didn’t catch any of them. Lady Ga Ga, Robbie Williams and Leonard Cohen don’t just DO IT for me I’m afraid… LOL ! Glad to report that the excitement is building up to a fever pitch here in The Hills this week. The County is buzzing with a confident yet tempered anticipation of the big game ahead. A Golden Ticket, I believe, is winging its way to me as we speak from somewhere down around Munster way (I’m not allowed to disclose my source at this time)… LOL but I have to say that I’m delighed that I am being afforded the opportnity to witness what I hope will be Tir Conails second All-Ireland success. Mayo I’m sure will have a thing or two to say about that. Here’s hoping for a good sporting spectacle in any event…and may the best team win !!! Liverpool face Man U earlier on Sunday at Anfield, will be keeping an ear on that one as well. Difficult and emotional week gone by for the people of Liverpool and for fans all over the World, thankfully the truth that we all knew has finally come to light “Yorkshire policemen chat with folded arms while people try to save their fellow fans” another dark shadow cast over the Thatcher Era………Love & Respect Martin Mac …You’ll Never Walk Alone Christy !
Christy's reply
enjoy yoursel Martin….it is shaping up to be a great weekend…my attention is focused on The Frank Harte Commemoration Weekend but I will watch Senior and Minor games with great excitement..I have friends in both senior camps, family in both minor camps. I must remain solidly neutral. However I shall be silently rooting for one participant in both games but anonymity prevails. I must ,at least, appear to be sitting on the fence. keep coming back.
DEAR CM(67)
We went to London and Danced on Clapham Common.Picked conkers from a tree on the Common and saw magpie leis fhéín at victoria station. Saw where Gráinne mhaol came up the thames to put smacht on banríon sasanna .Going on the plane they took our conkers out of our bags and threw them in the bin they thought we were going to throw them at the pilot.How did you start tuning your guitar down in the begining.?Do you like it when people howl at the moon while youre singing Joxer?
RS(13) CS(8)
Dear R + C (=21) Clapham Common will never be the same…I slept there for a few nights in The Summer of 1962….thats shocking repressive behaviour, confiscating your conkers in such a manner….imagine the brouhaha if that happened the other way round…I got my first guitar lesson in 1961…in the following months I somehow managed to mis-tune my 6th string UP to f …by the time my second lesson came about the damage was done…in the following 51 years I have never managed to undo that tuning fiaso…in the main, it has been a hindrance to my progressing as a player….in another way it has allowed me to focus much more on my singing and upon the songs….I have also had the priviledge of playing with many of Irelands great guitar players…Declan Sinnott, Donal Lunny, Jimmy Faulkner, Steve Cooney, Arty McGlynn,Robbie Overson,Natie Comerford, Anto Drennan, Des Moore, Jimmy Smith, Sheamie O’Dowd, Philip Donnolly to name a few those who spring to mind this Autumn Morning…I think I know that magpie at Victoria, a hungry hopping divvil, I once fed a chip to his great-great-great grandmother while waiting for a train…she stared me in the eye without as much as a thank you sqauwk……..PS I nearly forgot to tell ye that I love when the dogs howl in Joxer…occasionally it does not happen and I always have a sense of disappointment at the absence of my pack of howlers…there are a few particularily good specimens. One wolf down in Cork would frighten the life out you with his howl..I have seen people change their seats to move away from him so true is canine yodel..to make matters worse he farts loudly and constantly but , unlike his singing, his farts are always perfectly in tune
Good morning Christy. Hope you’re well, haven’t been around here in a while. Just listening to ‘This is the Day’ lately. Was wondering if you ever sing that song ‘How Long’ any more. ByGod its powerful stuff.
Morra Seanie ….we sing it often in the dressing room as part of our warm up, it gets a occasional airing in the gig…let me know anytime you’re gonna be about and we’ll lash it into the set… was down your way recently..had a long walk around and met a few quare hawks……The Honda 50 Man is abroad in Europe cooking up a storm, sez he is going to write a few more hits. Playing in The Shortgrass next Saturday, in serious training
always liked the version of back home in Derry on this Album.. time to dig it out again … .. vinyl is comeing back.. a vinyl shop has opened up down the road from me delighed .. and a good bit of choice … Dylan, Joni mitchell .. the hearts .. what more could one ask for .. . i think il be back down there again …. .
must have a listen to that album myself…do you know Chris McGranaghan at “those old records” he posts a lot on 4711ers.org and has a very interesting vinyl shop across the water…I have bought a few bits of vinyl from him myself and his service is impeccable…hope all is well at the picture house and that you are not snaffling too many boxes of Irish Rose
Hi Christy just saw your comment about The Spirit of Freedom being recorded and mixed in one day, now thats what I’d call one hell of a days work fair play, have to keep me head down here there’s nothing but flags and slitors flying around here keep well face the puck out
The Cats have had a very long innings…it may very well continue, but them poor tired kittens deserve some quiet time…some of their mentors seem to be on the verge of victory meltdown…keep them sliotars flying for its time to spread the McCarthy silver around a bit…
Hi Christy.. Picked up the guitar and strained my voice, and setting out into the world of singing songs.. Read your book ‘One Voice’ it was fantastic. You are to young Irish singers, what the star was to the three wise men and shepherds. Top fella. Roll on the 13th of October in Cavan.
Ps. Was talking to you a friend of yours in Marjorca, Kevin Heaslep of The Auld Triangle in Santa Ponsa, manys a night I got him to sing ‘The Contender.’
Regards, Keelan James
sing out and sing on James….the new voices of the young singers keeps the process in motion…keeps our ears open
So the fervour has abated and my jingo has faded. I am looking onwards and upwards to the neon and the sawdust of the Clyde. But my question is….what of the Bord Gais Electric Theatre? Am I to bring the rattling jewellery and the Phillip Treacy or shall I pack a hammer and some hobnail boots? xx Ps I hope this note finds you as polished as Boris Johnson’s ascending star. xx
The Bord Gais Energy Theatre formerly known as Grand Canal Theatre, ( aka Hari Nama Hall ) The naming rights went to the highest bidder…( it could have been Col Saunder’s Hall or Anne Summer’s Auditorium or The Shell/BP Rooms )….I’d say that the Phil Tracey and bit of jewellery would be adequate….
Hi All… Off topic I know but,,,,, best of luck to both Donegal & Mayo,,, but I think I know more Donegal 4711ers,,,,so….. anyway the West is Awake,,, and there are gigs a plenty for those of us not going to Croker !! … great to see Vicar St tickets on sale soon,,,, but more gigs before that,,,, beir bua. H
there are people dreaming of “The Hills of Donegal”…..”Take me home to Mayo”…..good opening act too, Royal v The Boys in Blue…….dont forget the Frank harte this weekend and Steve Cooney at Vicar St next week….see you along the road…Mountmellick here we come
Crouch touch set. Is the new one christy.thank god it was a bit zzzzzzz.Listening to the spirit of freedom today,Boy from Tamlaghtduff and Deportee and Michael Gaughan,powerfull songs.
used to be crash, grind and strike (against the head)…Ray Prosser and Gordon Wood still in my mind’s eye…Cliff Morgan and Andy Mulligan….AJF O’Reilly running in from the halfway line with half the opposition hanging off him…….the Spirit of Freedom was recorded and mixed on a single day
Howya Christy, feels like a long time since we seen you last in the forum, having withdrawals here, counting the days to the Barrowland, just got the flights and hotel booked there 🙂 I was wondering what the meaning of Yellow Triange was? I’ve been listening to it more and more recently. I was also walking through the town today where I head a young fella play the guitar and sing A Pair of Brown Eyes, couldn’t help but stand and admire how well he sung it…. it’s great to see the up and coming talent
Ride On…..
Many years ago a radical lady, the late Phyllis McGhee sent me a postcard containing of words of Pastor Niemoeller who was a Holocaust victim….the song is based on his words…the various coloured triangles were worn by different groupings in Hitler’s concentration camps……..A Pair of Brown Eyes is a stunning song…McGowans Words and Jem Finers Melodies have created some of the greatest songss of recent times…as always, I look forward to Barrowland once again…there are many venues around the world I favour but this old ballroom has a special place in my heart…it may be my favourite venue…its tatty and worn, its threadbare and tired BUT when them songbirds come up the stairs they transform it to the Church Of Ceilidh, they dance beneath the Carousel of healing and we jitterbug and boogie the night away
Hi Christy!, I am delighted to say my wife is getting me tickets to see your upcoming show in Vicar St, Dublin! (An early Christmas present!!)
I first heard your music when I visited Dublin a few back, and I’ve been a huge fan ever since.
It will be my first time at one of your gigs, and im so excited!! Can you tell me a little of what to expect!!
Keep Ridin’ On Christy!
you can expect a room full of songsters gathered to hear a brace of songs old and new..you can expect two long haul guitar slingers seeking to trade notes and melodies and harmonies for all they’re worth…the one will have hair flying in all directions, the other sweating to beat the band….two hours of pain and suffering, riffs and rolls, crack and banter, sorrow and sadness..around you will be plain clothes transvestites, undercover policemen in drag, doctors and drug addicts, nuns home from the missions ( mad hoors when they get going) retired terriorists, active pensioners, actresses, sword swalliers, 4711ers, trainee balladsingers,…we get lots of Yanks comin over for the crack, we had 8 Japanese in last year and a piper from Sausalito
Now I know how Joseph and Mary felt in Nazareth…..No room at the inn…..The least ye can do is sort an aul mucker out a ticket …
get up the yard
Hi Christy. Thanks for a brilliant concert on the 14th in Navan. My first time was in tent in Garristown Co Dublin about ’77/’78 (Planxty)and I have been to quite a few in between. Tks for memories of Conor he was a “great one”. I was “yer man” that told you of Noel Collier and talking to Noel, made his night. Noel is an important person to us in Kentstown/Beauparc, with all his difficulties he gives life a great crack and is an example to us all. as hector woulf say “keep her lit” and tks again for a great night. PM
I rem that tent gig in Garristown for a variety of reasons none of them musical…good to see you again…the Solstice went well, a great welcome from the Royal County…glad that Noel Collier enjoyed the outing as much as I did….my late Godmother, Maeve Laffan came from Beauparc. Herself and my Mother ( Nancy Power from Ardmulchan) were best friends all of their lives
Yo Christy. Im over in Dublin the weekend to see the mighty Mayo fall short again. Have you a spare bed?
we have the cousins coming in from USA and Australia all needing bed and tickets….no room for goats at the Inn
Hi Christy, haven’t seen you for a good many years. You used to come back to our house after your gig at our folk club. Great times. You once had a white kitten from us, remember? We have been to Dublin 2 or 3 times hoping to see you but no such luck.
All the very best, Christy and keep singing “Curragh of Kildare” for me please …….
that same Kitten got me in terrible trouble roaming the fields of Yorkshire worrying sheep..had the Keightley animal protection society on to me and eventually had to move to Manchester where that white kitten of Lincs grew into a large tab who disappeared with an unruly Lancs Tom..they set up a commune out near Moss Side. There has not been a mouse in those parts for years
Hi Christy, have just heard Declan on Mike Hardings show cracking stuff. Looking forward to the Barras in November.
Declan’s album is being very well received and getting good airplay
Hi Christy, Its my husband’s 40th birthday on 14th October, we’re going (as a surprise) to your gig in Cavan on 13th… He’s a huge fan, it would really make his day if you could say hello to him? I’d really appreciate it… Thanks! Siobhán
fair play to you
Hello Christy just thought I would say hello just letting you know that I am still here,I am due for a gig now it’s been a while,But with 2 mad boys and work its hard to get time,But one can try,Hoping to see you and dec soon,All the best from Wales,At least the rugby has started.
crouch hold touch engage zzzzz
For Oscar , well done ….
Hello over there hope this finds you in good health. I a was sitting here thinking about when I was back home years ago and was about 8 or 9 or so and my lovely neighbour had a dog that was shot and the poor woman could not handle it well as she was very fond of the dog. I could never get the story out of my head and every now and again I would think very deeply about it and thats about 30 years ago now but I never forgot it and I thought in some way I would pay tribute to her and the dog as neither had any other family and are now well forgotten. It is only now that having dogs myself I realize what great friends they are and what the poor woman must have felt like at the time. Anyhow all the best Christy chat later..
The dog came out of nowhere and arrived at Kitty’s gate,
looking for some water and a bite to ate.
A ragged looking collie, a smile inside his eyes,
a friendly kinda fella, his cuts were full of flies.
“He must have took a beating, or run in with a car”
said Kitty as she threw him some sausages from spar.
“Come over here” she yelled “I’ll keep you for tonight”
“And never mind your barking, or you’ll go out like a light.”
The dog ran in the mobile home and lay beneath the chair,
he never made a sound all night, he didn’t move a hair.
He woke up in the morning , another chance at life,
and stole poor Kitty’s heart away, the butter and the knife.
When we were walking home from school we’d pet the dog awhile,
and have a chat with Kitty, she always had a smile.
The two of them the best of friends as happy as could be,
the dog brought so much joy to her, and she so much to he.
One day around 1 or so a knock came to her door,
the farmer she’d sold all her land to , many years before.
“Wheres that fucking dog of yours” he killed 2 of my sheep,
he dragged the dog outside the door and tied him with a rope.
Kitty weak from shock could hardly look around,
and shaking like a winter leaf, her knees fell to the ground.
The dog outside yelped so loud, he even woke the moths,
Then the bollix of a farmer let him have the shots.
He threw the dog outside the gate and and left him there alone,
And Kitty saw her best friend dead, outside her mobile home.
Dick the dog was gone, the village friend was dead,
It wasn’t him that killed the sheep, he never left his bed.
My mother she knew Kitty well, and often she did say,
“She has never been the same again, since that awful day”
She could not speak about it, her eyes would fill with tears,
she lived alone from that day on into her dying years.
when I was 14 I saw a man shoot his dog ….the beautiful wee pup had disturbed a pheasant that the man was preparing to shoot….53 years later I still feel the horror of that moment…thanks for sharing your song
Hi Christy, Hope all is well with you and that you had a couple of good nights above in Navan. I happened to be in Dublin myself at the weekend, loads of gigs on but didn’t catch any of them. Lady Ga Ga, Robbie Williams and Leonard Cohen don’t just DO IT for me I’m afraid… LOL ! Glad to report that the excitement is building up to a fever pitch here in The Hills this week. The County is buzzing with a confident yet tempered anticipation of the big game ahead. A Golden Ticket, I believe, is winging its way to me as we speak from somewhere down around Munster way (I’m not allowed to disclose my source at this time)… LOL but I have to say that I’m delighed that I am being afforded the opportnity to witness what I hope will be Tir Conails second All-Ireland success. Mayo I’m sure will have a thing or two to say about that. Here’s hoping for a good sporting spectacle in any event…and may the best team win !!! Liverpool face Man U earlier on Sunday at Anfield, will be keeping an ear on that one as well. Difficult and emotional week gone by for the people of Liverpool and for fans all over the World, thankfully the truth that we all knew has finally come to light “Yorkshire policemen chat with folded arms while people try to save their fellow fans” another dark shadow cast over the Thatcher Era………Love & Respect Martin Mac …You’ll Never Walk Alone Christy !
enjoy yoursel Martin….it is shaping up to be a great weekend…my attention is focused on The Frank Harte Commemoration Weekend but I will watch Senior and Minor games with great excitement..I have friends in both senior camps, family in both minor camps. I must remain solidly neutral. However I shall be silently rooting for one participant in both games but anonymity prevails. I must ,at least, appear to be sitting on the fence. keep coming back.