Kanturk Johnny Poem by Francis Duggan

It is true the past in the gone forever with Johnny fading memories only remain
Of the February snows of the Boggeraghs and Duhallow in the rain
And old Allow from rain swollen bank high in waters of brown
Raging on towards the Blackwater in the fields by Kanturk Town

Fifty years out of Duhallow where he left close to his prime
Though he retains his North Cork accent somethings never change in time
He left Kanturk on an April morning when the fields were in their flowers of Spring
And on the leafy trees and hedgerows the nesting birds of song did sing

Kanturk Johnny a grandfather separated from his long term wife
She has found another partner and he goes on with living life
Though he does seem quite contented with the life he has today
Sometimes he talks of Kanturk people and the green fields far away

Gray haired and balding in his early seventies with his life he feels content
He won't be going back to Kanturk where his youthful years he spent
On Saturday evening at the local pub he enjoys the beer, music and song
And in the old time ballad session he joins in the sing along.