My name is Gary Kerlin and the dear departed Mrs McLaughlin was my aunt Rose of the Singing Kettle cafe.My late father Gerry Kerlin was the only one of the family to leave and married in Birmingharn.The shock he felt then is still with me and his journey back was fraught with anxiety.He was buried near his sister in 2004 St Jospeh Craigbane by home in Munigh.R.I.P.Still have her sacred Mass card.
July 31, 1972; I had just turned 10. My cousin and his wife welcomed their third child, a daughter, into the world. Sadly, our world would be shattered 17 days later with the sudden death of my maternal grandfather. But unlike his brothers and sisters, he didn't suffer at death, which now I am thankful for.
Hi all. Thank you so much for your comments. My father would be most grateful. If any of you have any other footage put it up. I'm trying to get my hands on some other stuff.
Your father was a fine poet &, I suspect, a courageous man. I've been trying to get a copy of him playing the Ballad of Claudy for years. He also wrote a short, powerful poem about the murders of Corporals David Howes & Derek Wood. Best wishes to you & your family.
I was a student at University of Ulster years ago and remember Jimmy performing this song in the folk clubs and bars around Portrush a number of times.
@kbs16355 Also a student at NUU way back, I remember it being sung as part of a play (or something) and the hairs stood up on the back of my neck at the tangible silence of the audience as it was sung.
I only just discovered this song, via a great reading by James Simmons himself in the "All You Need is Love" documentary series showing on Sky Arts recently. Just him and his acoustic guitar, powerful stuff. Can't see it posted on youtube but i'd advise anyone to seek it out if they like the song.
sry to hear about your dad adam i know it was probably long ago but its the first i heard. but this song is amazing i think so anyway and im 15. i live in ireland also and am doing this song in school. as the poem version, and found this video which will help me remember it better for my exams.
Its just ive always liked this song, i actually used it as inspiration for a photographic project i did at college. il send you a link for it if youd like to see it, i just always wanted to thank someone related to James Simmons for this amazing piece of music, id have liked to thank your father himself but sadly hes no longer with us.
This is a work of terrible beauty. See also his 'Ballad of Ranger Best' available on the now rare 'Rostrevor Sessions' album. Simmons deserves respect for having insisted on a humanitarian vision amidst violence and tubthumping. May the work of this honest ulsterman become better known
hearing it with this voice is much sadder than to just read the poem...Especially the break before the last lines of Claudy are repeated from the beginning...ó_o. Btw. I had to search it for my English lessons...
My name is Gary Kerlin and the dear departed Mrs McLaughlin was my aunt Rose of the Singing Kettle cafe.My late father Gerry Kerlin was the only one of the family to leave and married in Birmingharn.The shock he felt then is still with me and his journey back was fraught with anxiety.He was buried near his sister in 2004 St Jospeh Craigbane by home in Munigh.R.I.P.Still have her sacred Mass card.
scudll 7 months ago
July 31, 1972; I had just turned 10. My cousin and his wife welcomed their third child, a daughter, into the world. Sadly, our world would be shattered 17 days later with the sudden death of my maternal grandfather. But unlike his brothers and sisters, he didn't suffer at death, which now I am thankful for.
mkl62 1 year ago
Hi all. Thank you so much for your comments. My father would be most grateful. If any of you have any other footage put it up. I'm trying to get my hands on some other stuff.
beninchaos 1 year ago
@beninchaos I have loads.
adamsimmons59 1 year ago
Your father was a fine poet &, I suspect, a courageous man. I've been trying to get a copy of him playing the Ballad of Claudy for years. He also wrote a short, powerful poem about the murders of Corporals David Howes & Derek Wood. Best wishes to you & your family.
TudorsTigers 1 year ago
Brilliant song.
jratt2 1 year ago
I was a student at University of Ulster years ago and remember Jimmy performing this song in the folk clubs and bars around Portrush a number of times.
kbs16355 1 year ago
@kbs16355 Also a student at NUU way back, I remember it being sung as part of a play (or something) and the hairs stood up on the back of my neck at the tangible silence of the audience as it was sung.
haxby2007 2 months ago
I only just discovered this song, via a great reading by James Simmons himself in the "All You Need is Love" documentary series showing on Sky Arts recently. Just him and his acoustic guitar, powerful stuff. Can't see it posted on youtube but i'd advise anyone to seek it out if they like the song.
aparkinson1980 1 year ago
sry to hear about your dad adam i know it was probably long ago but its the first i heard. but this song is amazing i think so anyway and im 15. i live in ireland also and am doing this song in school. as the poem version, and found this video which will help me remember it better for my exams.
chewbit 2 years ago
@chewbit sorry that i did not answer sooner.Thanks for it gives you good times.
adamsimmons59 1 year ago
master peice
adamsimmons59 2 years ago
Well sung dad.
adamsimmons59 2 years ago
Comment removed
xxxxxemocorexxxxx 2 years ago
seriously youre james simmons son?
Its just ive always liked this song, i actually used it as inspiration for a photographic project i did at college. il send you a link for it if youd like to see it, i just always wanted to thank someone related to James Simmons for this amazing piece of music, id have liked to thank your father himself but sadly hes no longer with us.
Andrew
xxxxxemocorexxxxx 2 years ago
I am, with sisters and brother.
adamsimmons59 2 years ago
Hi i would love it if you sent me your link.
Thanks Adam.
adamsimmons59 2 years ago
found this by accident .... wow. very touching. more so than anything I've heard in quite a while..
ShoeanRoque 2 years ago
This is a work of terrible beauty. See also his 'Ballad of Ranger Best' available on the now rare 'Rostrevor Sessions' album. Simmons deserves respect for having insisted on a humanitarian vision amidst violence and tubthumping. May the work of this honest ulsterman become better known
straidaran 2 years ago
hearing it with this voice is much sadder than to just read the poem...Especially the break before the last lines of Claudy are repeated from the beginning...ó_o. Btw. I had to search it for my English lessons...
cottoncandy4icecream 2 years ago