Big Denis From Rockchapel Poem by Francis Duggan

Big Denis from Rockchapel I've not seen him for years
I last saw him at Clifton Hill Pub enjoying his weekend beers
A singer sang an Irish song I think 'The West Awake'
And Denis asked for an encore if just for old time sake.

'Twas said he went to Sydney employment to pursue
But that was only rumoured and can't say that be true
And if he went to Sydney where might he be today
Is he back in Duhallow more than half a world away? .

Big Denis from Rockchapel conspicuous by his height
He towered above the others but he seemed shy and quiet
He sat on stool by counter in Clifton Hill Hotel
And drank his beer all by himself as I remember well

Big Denis from Rockchapel still in my memory
He's one I would know if we met though he may not know me
I never spoke to him at length just a courteous hello
And that was in the Clifton Hill about nine years ago.

Big Denis from Rockchapel where might he be today
Does he still live in Sydney or much further away?
The singer in the Clifton Hill sang a song from Erin's shore
And Denis in his own quiet way just asked for an encore.