Dad's Saint Vincent's Boys High School Hockey Team

Mom and Dad's poem - with children gone.

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From: Colleen Holliday <johnandcol@me.com>
To: Carolyn & Kevin MacKenney <5macks@nbnet.nb.ca>
Cc: Mary Jane Reiners <reinerssurf@yahoo.com>; Mark Dunphy <twobuck@rocketmail.com>; Kevin Dunphy <KDunphy@ikmtesting.com>
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 5:22:19 PM
Subject: A special poem

You may or may not have a copy of this poem but I've just received my boxes and found it so thought I'd share. How could we forget Dad reading it backed up by harmonica.  Not a dry eye in the house, I think it's precious and if you haven't already got a copy, print and read to yourself, cherish your family and friends wherever they are, here or not.

Love

Colleen

When your children go away

My self drawing water, my old man out at the plough

No grown up son or daughter that’s the way we’re farming now

“No work and little pleasure,” was the cry before they went

Well they’ve plenty in full measure, so I ought to be content.

Great wages men is given in that land beyond the sea 

But ‘tis lonely, lonely livin’ when the chuldren are away.

To see a baby in the cradle with blue eyes and curlly hair

God knows I’d give a great deal to see little Kevin there

No doubt he’d find it funny, lyin’ here upon me arm 

Him that’s makin’ the “big money” on a California farm.

Six pounds it was, or seven he sent last quarter day,

But ‘tis lonely, lonely livin’ when the children are away.

God is good, none better, and the devil might be worse

Each month there comes a letter, bringing somethin’ for the purse

And me old man’s heart rejoices when I read they’re doin’ fine,

But it’s oh, to hear their voices, and to feel their hand in mine

To see the cattle grazin’, the young ones makin’ hay,

‘Tis a lonely land to live in, when the children are away.

When the shadows do be fallin’, on the old man there, and me

‘Tis hard to keep from callin’, “come in children to your tea”.

I can almost hear them comin’, Colleen, Mark, Carolyn, Mary Jane and Kevin.

Ah, but I’m the foolish woman, sure they’ve all grown up and gone.

That our sins may be forgive, and not one go astray,

Do You Know?  I doubt I’d stay in heaven, if the children were away.

Colleen Holliday

johnandcol@me.com

5 Earle Court

Tallai Qld 4213

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