Francis Duggan Poems

Sad news a news that travels far and wide
And I was told of how young Kevin Hickey died
On the Shannaknock road of his car he lost control
And the reaper claimed his body not his soul.
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Old Sammy who lives on the east side his new wife is younger than his son
And like they say money speaks every language and money for him wonders have done
It has won for him another young woman for him she is wife number five
And he over seventy and unhealthy and lucky for to be alive.
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'Tis said we only dislike in others what in ourselves we see
And of the inhibitions we grew up with some of us never may be free
But there ought to be far more to life than the Me, Myself and I
Though those three will be with us until the day we die.
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Oh you who walked upon the sea and changed water to wine
I wish you'd change the weather now and give us more sunshine
The chilly winds have risen to a cold and icy storm
And I huddle by the fireplace in order to keep warm.
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In my life I don't have much to celebrate
And I have been struggling for to smile of late
In life as we know there's many a pitfall
But when compared to many my worries are small
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In the fields of Claraghatlea North far north and far away
The migrant redwings chirping in the dawning cold and gray
And the salmon swim upstream to spawn as yesterday's flood goes down
In the river known as Finnow within sight of Millstreet Town
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You may be a very wealthy person and for your generosity know of renown
And with your marvellous gift of money help the poor souls of the town
Do not crave for admiration never wish for glory's crown
Yet whilst many do applaud you there is one to put you down.
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We look at life one might say quite differently
And on very few subjects we seem to agree
The opinions you express are quite different to mine
What you think is your business and that suits me fine
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Around the flower beds the white butterflies play
How can one feel grumpy on a day like today
A high of a beautiful 25 degrees
And the birds chirp and whistle on the bushes and trees
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Your given and family names not that important of you much they don't say
What matter most is that you be a good person and live in the decent way
Yet our society judges even judge people by their postal address
Though a scoundrel with an honorary title them does not fail to impress
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