Lines On Meeting The Hickey Sisters Poem by Francis Duggan

Met sisters Claire and Collette Hickey from West end of Millstreet Town
In Victoria's biggest city where the sun bake white skin brown
Many miles from Cork and Millstreet where for long years they did dwell
Here in Clifton Hill in Melbourne at the Normandy Hotel.

I felt quite surprised to meet them very surprised I must say
But delighted at the same time to meet friends from far away
To meet girls from my own Hometown it was nice to meet them here
Gave me some excuse to linger and to drink another beer.

Asked them how were things in Millstreet Claire had some good news to tell
Most of those I know quite well there very happy fit and well
But the young people keep leaving and the older getting old
And the weather quite depressing very windy wet and cold.

They had no news of change in Ireland save for changes in the Dail
The Coalition got defeated they lost out to Fianna Fail
But the young people keep leaving Politicians all the same
Promise everything do nothing it has always been their game

Yes the young people keep leaving such sad news made me feel sad
I feel sorry for my Homeland her affairs were managed bad
Never had a decent Government emigration was their cure
But an under-populated Ireland remains very, very poor.

And when I asked them would they soon return to Millstreet Collette answered with a smile
We'll return to Millstreet one day but we'll stay here for some while
Yes they are happy here in Melbourne and they will not be hurrying back
To that Town by Clara mountain from where they hit the wandering track.

And when they asked me would I myself return to Millstreet I answered sure I will
I'm a man from Claraghatlea North and my home's by Clara hill
I have done my share of travel, I have been to many where
But my home's in Claraghatlea North and my roots belong back there.

Met the Hickey girls from Millstreet and it really made my day
Here in Clifton Hill in Melbourne in Australia far away
They feel happy and contented and they flash a happy smile
Many miles from West End Millstreet many, many, many a mile.