Get Well Tommy!!!

I wrote this song when researching Tommy Makem’s chapter for my new book, Festival Legends, Songs & Stories. Tommy is called the Godfather of Irish music.  He has written more than 400 songs, with some huge hits.  His unwavering dedication to promoting and preserving the Irish culture is as legendary as he is.
The words in italics are titles to just a few of the more than 400 songs  that he has written.

Yesterday I talked to the man, the Godfather of Irish Music, and found  he needs ALL our prayers in hoping for good health.

Tommys Song
by John OBrien, Jr.

Awaken Mary Ann, for
The Liar,
The Man of No Conscience
, cries,
That No Irish Need Apply
Peace and Justice disappear
in the Rape of the Gael
In That Land I Loved So Well,
True Love and Time.
have stopped.

There Was An Old Woman.
among the Four Green Fields,
She entreated me,
Brendan, The Darkley Weaver,
Dont Go Down To The
Big Green Sea.
contrast,
from Clean Air, Clean Water,
to the Ships of War ready,
even The Water Sings out -
to the march of
The Enniskillen Dragoons
Where Ever The Winds,

The Winds of Morning?

The Winds Are Singing Freedom!
And call for Better Times.
I went anyway.
And so,
Farewell My Friends.

Farewell to Carlingford,
Fare Thee Well Enniskillen

Let there be none
of The Morning After Blues.
Fear, but hope again to walk
This Dusty Road.
when next again, in victory
we are Rolling Home.

But now, as we enjoin
The Boys of Killybegs
toasting farewells,
sipping Paddy Kellys Brew.
Freedoms Sons are singing;
singing sad songs,
to their love, songs.
Pretty Maggie O, Sally O,
Pretty Saro
and Rosie.

for some,
a Song For The Children.

In The Time Of Scented Roses,
let they be not black,
The Long Womans Grave.
Rather Sing Me The Old Songs;
of Rambling Rivers
in The Rambles of Spring,
Clear Blue Hills

or Grey October Clouds,
among Long Winter Nights.

If I should return,
If You Should Ask Me,
Im Going Home To Mary,
Smiling Mary
I can see her, as she holds
our Gentle Annie in her arms,
listening to
The Listowel Blackbird sing;
Music In The Twilight,
In Newry Town

I will return again.

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