In Fancy I Hear The Mass Bell Ringing Poem by Francis Duggan

In fancy I hear the mass bell ringing the faithful in to pray
And the choral singers singing hymns in the old church far away
And though I have lost the gift of faith the memories with me stay
Of sunday mornings in the old Town long before my hair turned gray
Across from the chapel gate after second mass for a chat neighbours and friends did meet
To discuss the recent happenings in and around Millstreet
But the passing years brought changes nothing seems to stay the same
And nowadays I might feel a stranger where many called me by first name
I have grown apart from religion I have lost the gift of faith
And you will not find me nowadays where the faithful celebrate
I do admire those people their gift of faith they do retain
But what I've lost forever I never can regain
I have left the past behind me but the past has followed me
And the old church bell on sunday still rings in my memory.