John Kelleher Poem by Francis Duggan

His real name was John Kelleher he was known as Jack the Mule
He was a man of his own mind not one a boss could rule
He was in his prime of life when i was a young boy
And he worked hard for his livelihood though hard work he did enjoy.

For famers in Duhallow he worked for miles about
A man who lived a carefree life he enjoyed his pints of stout
Known for his strength far beyond Millstreet he was one without fear
And talk about the hard life from him you'd never hear.

He worked for different people in and around Millstreet
And at shlauning turf in Gneeves and Caherbarnagh bog few with him could compete
He was good value for money and he worked hard for his pay
But he was one who was not meant for to grow old and gray.

He never fathered children or he never had a wife
And he was one who always led a roughish sort of life
Yet faults in any of us are not that hard to find
And despite his human frailties he was generous and kind.

On a cold and dreary morning when the wintery winds blew chill
By a tree his remains were found in a field by Clara hill
And the sad news spread like wildfire across the Countryside
That John Kelleher known as Jack the Mule in a tragic way had died.