We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
supported by
Nfld Irish Music Fan
Nfld Irish Music Fan thumbnail
/

about

Kilkelly
Peter and Steve Jones, ©1984, 1988
A poignant song about the separation of Irish family members in the 19th century, told as a series of real letters (found in an attic in Baltimore) over 32 years.

lyrics

Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and sixty,
My dear and loving son John;
Your good friend the Schoolmaster, Pat McNamara’s,
So good as to write these words down.
Your brothers have all gone to find work in England,
The house is so empty and sad.

The crop of potatoes is sorely affected,
A third to half of them bad.
And your sister Bridget and Patrick O'Donnell,
Are gonna get married in June;
And your mother says not to work on the railroad,
And be sure to come on home soon.

Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and seventy,
Dear and loving son John;
Hello to your missus and to your four children,
May they grow healthy and strong. 

Michael has got in a wee bit of trouble;
I guess that he never will learn.

Because of the dampness there's no turf to speak of
And now there’s nothing to burn.
And Bridget is happy you named the child for her;
You know she's got six of her own.
You say you've found work, but you don't say what kind;
Oh, when will you be comin' home?

Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and eighty,
Dear Michael and John my sons;
I'm sorry to give you the very sad news
That your dear old mother passed on.

We buried her down at the church in Kilkelly;
Your brothers and Bridget were there.
You don't have to worry, she died very quickly,
Remember her in your prayers.

And it's so good to hear that Michael's returning
With money he's sure to buy land. 

For the crop has been poor and the people are selling,
At any price that they can.

Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and ninety,
My dear and loving son John;

I guess that I must be close on to eighty;
It's thirty years since you've gone. 

Because of all the money you sent me,
I'm still living out on my own.
Michael has built himself a fine house,
And Bridget's daughters are grown. 

And thank you for sending your family picture,
They're lovely young women and men.
You say that you might even come for a visit,
What joy to see you again.

Instrumental

Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and ninety two,
My dear brother John;

I'm sorry that I didn't write sooner,
To tell you that father passed on.

He was living with Bridget;
She says he was cheerful
And healthy right down to the end.
You should have seen him playing with the grandchildren
Of Pat McNamara, your friend.

And we buried him alongside of mother,
Down at Kilkelly churchyard. 

He was a strong and a feisty old man,
Considering his life was so hard.

And it's funny the way he kept talking about you,
He called for you at the end. 

Oh, why don't you think about coming to visit,
We'd love to see you again.

credits

from Like the Willow Tree 1994, released April 9, 1994
Aubrey Atwater: vocals, guitar, tin whistle
Elwood Donnelly: vocals, whisper

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Atwater-Donnelly image

Atwater-Donnelly Warren, Rhode Island

Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, present delightful programs of traditional American and Celtic folk songs, a capella pieces, old-time gospel songs, dance tunes, and original works, blending gorgeous harmonies with guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, mandolin, tin whistle, harmonica, banjo, bones, spoons, limberjacks, and Appalachian clog dancing and French Canadian footwork. ... more

contact / help

Contact Atwater-Donnelly

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

If you like Atwater-Donnelly, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now