Kilkelly with Lyrics

My interpretation in images of a great song about Irish emigration to the USA in the mid 1800s, after the famine. The song is based on letters between the ancestors of the writer Peter Jones. I sang this song regularly in sessions in the 90s.

You can see the letters which inspired Peter Jones to write the song and also Pat McNamara's diary here:

http://towns.mayo-ireland.ie/WebX?14@@.ee8809f

The following is taken from this website:
http://www.westernpeople.com/news/story/?trs=kfausnqley

'Back in the 1970s or early 1980s, Peter Jones, an American-born composer whose great-grandfather was John Coyne from the general Kilkelly area, found a batch of old letters tied together in a box in the attic of his parents home in America.
These letters had all been posted in Kilkelly and as he poured through them he was overcome with the emotion which re-united him in an extraordinary way with the land of his forebearers.
The end result of Peters deliberations was Kilkelly, Ireland, the poignant story of a father who sees his sons emigrate from Mayo to America, never to return. But the words of friendship he so lovingly despatched, with the help of Pat McNamara his friend, convey so much beauty and hidden heartache that they stand out in the classic mould.
The words in the song are taken directly from Mr. Coynes letters as dictated to Pat McNamara and thus carry a powerful resonance which cannot fail to touch the psyche of people raised here in the rural West.
A whole history of a family is unfurled before our eyes . And the song finishes with the remarkably touching lines of the brother at home finally taking over the fathers duties in writing to the lad in America - And its funny the way he kept talkin about you, he called for you at the end.
The song was first recorded here by Danny Doyle and a number of other versions, including one by Jimmy Whittington from Charlestown, have also been put on albums. Peter Jones, the writer of the song, visited Kilkelly a few years ago and was honoured by the locals on that occasion.'

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Music
• Irish
• Emigration
• Kilkelly
• Folk
• Peter
• Jones

[sabretache1]

Incredibly evocative and moving - especially with such carefully edited and presented video accompanyment. My wife is ex-patriot Irish; my 2 daughters have the fond memories of annual family holidays in Ireland but are less knowledeable about its history than they ought to be. This helps.

It's doubly sad that, in terms of land and real-estate ownership, Ireland seems to be headed back to the abusive authoritarian absentee landlord system that so decimated its people through the 19th century

[MaireMc]

@sabretache1 Thank you for your considered comment. Very much appreciated. A great compliment to me that you felt able to show your daughters the video as part of their Irish heritage. Emigration is on the increase again in Ireland, this time to the antipodes. Best wishes to you.

[zer0nemo]

Such a great song. And a fitting vid. I fell in love with Irish ballads some years ago... guess I got even closer now.Thx very much - must be one of the most moving vids on youtube. 

[MaireMc]

@zer0nemo Thanks so much for your comment x

[Bevans2001]

Thanks for posting this video. This song and the pictures bring such memories and tears. My gramma left County Mayo at 18 years old in 1914. She had a third grade education and was the most loving person I've ever known. She raised 5 children and never saw her parents again. She learned of all the news including their passing in letters from home. She loved everything Irish, the brogue which she never lost, the music, the parties, the wakes.

This song speaks so well to her experience.

[MaireMc]

@Bevans2001 I feel honoured that you shared your grandmother's experience as a comment on this video. The song is so moving. Very best regards to you.

[jimbob12404yahoo]

The family name was not Coyne but Hunt, and it was Bryan Hunt who dictated the letters to PM. Ive been to Kilkelly, and Urlaur, where the cemetery and the abbey (churchyard) are located. PM 's house is still standing, as are parts of the Hunt family's homestead. Sadly, the grave of Bryan Hunt is not marked, but his brother Dominic 's is.

[darcipeeps22]

I'm pretty sure her name is Brigid not Bridget...

[dingofire3000]

This song is so beautiful and sad, it brings me to tears every time. A true, timeless ballad!

[tiffalam]

where can i get the mp3 for this?

[C07848480]

@MaireMc

Im sure she was a credit to her homeland. Its great to see the irish americans still interested in the traditional Irish music

[beatlesluv0615]

Such a beautiful song, but...tear. :'(

[namvet65]

Brought back so many moments with my dad before he passed. Robert Kilkelly, Albany, NH

[annacmoreno1]

This song chokes me up every time i hear it. Ive been away from home now 20 years, and though i do get back to visit ,my dad is getting old and my mum died while i was away. i dont want to get that final letter. im working on getting home,i pray not too late.