12/01/2026
A little poem in memory of all those that have gone to their eternal reward, may their souls rest in peace.
AN IRISH FUNERAL MASS.
The priest stood on the altar,
As the people they came in.
The funeral mass for our neighbour John,
Would shortly now begin.
A respectful silence, filled the church,
For the people came today,
To bid one last, and fond farewell,
To their old friend passed away.
As the people filed into their seats, the family now came in,
And the priest he bid all welcome as the mass it did begin.
He said we all have gathered here, our last respects to pay
To someone we all respected, on this his funeral day.
As the family did the readings, some expressions they were sad,
It was hard to come to terms with the death of your own dad.
But they did him proud I have to say, each one carried out their part,
even though it wasn't easy, with a sad and lonely heart.
Then the priest he gave a sermon, twas a tribute in a way,
and he spoke with admiration of his old friend John that day,
He talked about his early life, his wife and family,
And he spoke about when they first met,
And the friends they came to be.
He spoke of his abilities as a sportsman in his day,
And his times of great achievement, upon the field of play.
a hero to the younger men, who admired his great skill,
And his days of football glory, many speak about them still.
A singer and musician too, he had many strings to his bow,
and as nice a man in one lifetime, you could ever come to know.
In the farming business all his life, respected and well known.
With a watchfully eye for neighbours, that were living on their own.
His son then gave the eulogy,
A fine speech I have to say.
And he shared with us his memories, of his dad back in the day.
The highs the lows of family life, the happy times and sad.
And he finally concluded, with may God be with you dad.
Well the mass continued afterwards and the coffin it was blessed,
And old Johnny now was on his way to his final place of rest.
The football team they honoured him, and carried him with pride,
As the people walked out from the church, and lined the road each side.
With the coffin lowered in the grave, the final prayers were said,
And some were heard to mutter, lord have mercy on the dead
A fitting end to a life well lived, what more could someone say,
For old Johnny our dear neighbour, on this his funeral day.
Martin O'HARA. © 10/1/2025
