Johnny From Macroom Poem by Francis Duggan

The chaffinches were singing, the buttercups in bloom
On green banks of the Sullane that flows down through Macroom
But many years have come and gone since Johnny went away
In June in nineteen sixty five I'm quoting what he say.

He has not been back home since then the Seasons come and go
And through the green fields of Macroom the Sullane waters flow,
The day that he left Macroom Town he was in his prime day
And his hair as dark as raven's wing is now a silver gray.

'Mountmassy the pride of Macroom' that song he often times play
And it takes him back way back the years to places far away
In the Castle Ballroom on sunday night they'd dance from nine till two
Where is she now that girl he loved the first great love he knew? .

He still recall his boyhood mates their friendships he did know
Before he left to see the World some thirty years ago
Are some of them still in Macroom and have years too made them gray
And would he recognize them now if he met them today? .

His two sons now are well known players for local cricket team
Long years ago when he was young he had a sporting dream
Of playing senior football for Macroom till lust for wander grew
And there were places to be seen and other things to do.

And though sometimes he thinks of Macroom and places far away
He's happy with his lot in life he's here for the long stay
The years go by and time ticks on and the Seasons come and go
And through the green fields of Macroom the Sullane waters flow.