John Joe Forde

For John Joe Forde in Dereen in Millstreet the journey in life began
And there from a boy he grew into a man
As a boy in the nineteen fifties when his hair was dark brown
He attended the old Primary School in Millstreet Town

In Duhallow John Joe was well liked and well known
Well worthy of the title as one of Millstreet's own
A tall handsome fellow when in his life's prime
Though this is going back many Seasons in time

Some thirty miles from Dereen from where he spend his younger years in life
He lived in Ballincollig near Cork City with his children and wife
One who did work hard for his every pay
And nothing easy in life ever did come his way

One who in his lifetime planted Karma's good seed
And his passing for his family and friends quite a sad time indeed
One can say of him quite a nice man to know
He was one of those who had the inner glow

He often stood on Clara's slopes looking down
On the green countryside bordering Millstreet Town
It must have been thirty years since i last saw John Joe
And this in itself seems a long time ago

He was a decent human being of him one can say
By Cashman's Hill in St Mary's in Millstreet his last remains lay
Hope his parting from life was a painless release
The good man John Joe Forde may he now rest in peace.