Tommy Makem - Farewell To Carlingford

[TheEyeteeman]

At an RSL club in Auckland, NZ in late 1983, as a visiting Brit I was asked to get up on stage and sing a song, something I'd never done before. I'd learned this song years earlier, having bought a Clancy Brothers/Tommy Makem album called 'The boys won't leave the girls alone' in 1970 and so belted it out. I got a great round of applause, but it wasn't for my singing, which was distinctly average, it was for the quality of the music. Weren't these lads just the best?

[bballman]

Tommy you were the greatest.

By chance I got to meet you and shake your hand when I was a young lad.

RIP - thanks for the music and memories.

[madfortrad5958]

beautiful version

[thineleachbath]

one of the best folk songs ever written or sung, not just one of the best irish folk songs written, one of the best folk songs written or sung period.

[bettyswollex]

true so true.long live the best of the auld singers,,,,and the Benedictine Monks.........................­..1 glass three times a day...

[buckfastred]

There was luke a ronnie and liam a tommy.Iam so proud of them from all your brothers a sisters in ireland.god bless

[trevair]

never knew he wrote this song

great song

[SuperKnowit]

well now you know it.

[HabsburgLorraine]

When would he have written this?

[orckiller91]

more then likely I would tend to think it would be after he bought his banjo, which would mean it would have to be before he linked up with liam clancy which would be before 1950 I think, so he probably wrote in in the 60's or 70's because he did travel extensivly in Ireland even after immigrating to the US. But just as referance point it wouldnt be before about 1955

[6610ford3000]

it was before the clancy brothers and tommy makem broke up i think, if its any help

[fanvasvart]

Visited Carlingford this summer and I felt Tommy Makem´s beautiful song echoe in my mind...may he rest in peace.....

[d101527x]

In February 1970 I bought a Clancy Brothers LP in Singapore. "The Boys won't Leave the Girls Alone". Played it. Learnt it. Kept it. In December late November 1983, in Auckland,NZ I was dragged involuntarily, onto a stage to sing "whatever song I liked" in front of 300 New Zealanders who wanted to see a Pom sweat! I sang this one - very poorly, but wholeheartedly. The applause was more than my rendition deserved but the choice of material was easy. Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. Pure Gold!!!

[ay2122]

farewell carlingford. most beautiful suburb in sydney.

[usulkane]

I was lucky enough to visit Carlingford on my last trip to Ireland...he's right- Its beautiful.

[Fitzmiester88]

Its a really great song!!!! RIP TOMMY!!!

Carlingford is a lovely town!!! and there is a wee restaurant just outside it called Fitzpatricks Bar and Restaurant!! Its a lovely place for grub and its just amazing

[sugarpuffsandwich]

Tommy was right - Carlingford is the nicest town in Ireland.

[RailwayFreak071]

Written by a ledgend,sung definitively by a ledgend,Tommy and Luke changed Ireland and left great legacy,there playing in God's band and looking down on us,R.I.P guys!

[fanvasvart]

You will always be remembered Tommy! Rest in eternal peace, you have given so much to us "honorary Irish"......Björn / Sweden

[TommyPM]

That he was and will always be.

I miss him dearly.

[jantre34]

Tommy

Is it possible to purchase this video,or is this your private collection,I have just returned from Ireland,listening to a tribute band to Tommy,very moving,he will be sadly missed.trejan34

[TommyPM]

This was from Tommy Makem and friends. If you go to whmt tv you can find it on their store site.. Ebay had a copy that was going for about 25.

[ulsterstan]

You are missed Tommy you were the best.

[marymulholland]

favourite place in the world love this song

[orckiller91]

good song best sang by the master

[gaelicstorm]

BRILLIANT!!!! love this song