Monday, April 04, 2022

Ballybeg of Donegal

 RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: LIFE SONGS


Donegal

 

If the Irish do anything at all

Better than anyone else on earth

It is to tell a story tall

In words that sing while merely speaking

To sing a song that tells a tale

That draws both laughter and tears

With a fresh pint of ale

 

Did you ever hear the story

Of the O’Donnell family in Ballybeg

County Donegal in northern Ireland?

 

It is the story of every family

A story of heartbreak and consuming sorrow

A story of triumph and compassion

A story of overcoming hardship

A story of tradition and love

 

The troubles split Ireland apart

Sending waves of conflict across the sea

Tearing at friends and families

Piercing the Irish heart

But in the end both blood and country

A culture of literature and song

A generosity of spirit prevails

Old wounds heal and all is well

For the good people of Donegal

 

(upon seeing The Aristocrats

By Brian Friel)

 

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