Jimmy Henry : "One Less Drunk Irishman" - poem w/ video

Written & narrated by Jimmy Henry
2002
Directed by Chuck DeLuca
Camera & Editing by James Gillies and Chuck DeLuca

Jimmy used to recite "One Less Drunk Irishman" (and many others) from memory when we'd hang out at his vintage clothing store, The Blue Moon, in Bellingham, WA. Those were the days!

Jimmy died in his sleep on September 3, 2008 in Duluth, MN. On December 21at a memorial event in Bellingham, WA---we woke him up again. Two dozen people braved the deep snows and icy roads to remember Jmmy at the Chuckanut Ridge wine tasting room. People stood up and gave testimonies, told their stories about Jimmy and read their favorite Jimmy Henry poems. The eulogies were remarkable---Jimmy was larger than life and he affected the lives of and brought joy to many people.

A highlight of the evening was the showing of this video piece, produced by Jimmy in 2002. The final piece in a collection of video clips put together for the event, beginning with the line, "At my funeral," its utter appropriateness for the memorial gathering is self-evident on viewing. Most folks present had never seen the video and it was a treat for all.

Please note: owing to rights clearance issues, the music at the beginning and at the very end of the piece has been removed. No dialog has been removed.

Look for the event poster, featuring a winged angel Jimmy, at www.beatangel.com

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• jimmy
• henry
• jack
• kerouac
• beat
• generation
• poetry
• poem
• funeral
• homeless
• golf
• course

[DocEleven]

I knew Jimmy pretty danged well. We used to go thrift store picking in Salt Lake City in the mid-1980's when we both lived in Park City, Utah. RIP ya' crazy/genius/creative/drunk son of a bitch.

[kurtschweigman]

I knew Jimmy fairly well. A fellow poet and friend. Where are you from FoxWood? He never spoke of cousins (knowing him a few years).

_luke

[MsFoxWood]

Did not know our cousin Jimmy until just now. I am so sorry. I wish we could have met whist he still breathed. One artist to another, we could have connected. I am so sad. ~Lois Henry

[hanson666999]

May he be in Heaven half an hour before the devil knows he's dead-Old Irish funeral proverb.