The Bard Of St Mel's Poem by Francis Duggan

For twenty years the Parish priest of St Mel's in Narrandera Town
But that was not the reason why Patrick Hartigan won renown
He became famous as the poet nom de plume John O Brien
And the greatness of the reverend bard shone through in every line.

He helped to put Narrandera on the map in his poetic prime
And he still live in Australian literature in his distinctive rhyme
Said Hanrahan, Tangamalangaloo and The Old Mass Shandyran
Poetic gems that still live on from pen of bardic man.

And The Little Irish Mother she is still alive today
As she kneels on her kitchen floor with her family to pray
Many poems from his best known book Around the Booree log insures the author's fame
And in Australian literature his is still a household name.

Narrandera in New South Wales a Town known far and wide
It was there the great poet John O Brien for near three decades did reside
The childrens play ground by St Mel's in honour of his name
The poet is gone but long live the poet his verses are his fame.