My Brother John

In nineteen fifty two my brother John in his late teens left Millstreet
New challenges in life he wished to meet
He was the eldest of our family
Perhaps a dozen years older than me

His travels took him to the U S A
From Claraghatlea in distance far away
Tall and athletic his hair was chestnut brown
He was one never more to see old Millstreet Town

He was one who did not live for to grow very old
For Millstreet in minor Gaelic Football he wore the green and gold
But in Millstreet he would not be one to stay
Far from Duhallow he would show his years in gray

His travels in life took him to places far
In Korea as a pilot with the U S Air Force he experienced war
Though something he did not like to talk about
His war memories he wished to live without

My brother John left two sons and a wife
One of them Thomas in a car crash lost his life
Of such a sorrow Life's Reaper John did spare
His poor wife Nancy had this cross to bear

For years in Chicago John drove a Suburban train
And only memories now do remain
Of a humble man who worked hard for his pay
Quiet waters run deep as the wise one say

Far south of old Hibernia's windswept shore
And Clara Mountain above Claramore
John's bones at peace forever now do lay
In Chicago in the U S of A.