I sang this to my father

Posted on March 17, 2013 by | 9 Comments

A few hours before his death, I was alone with my father in a small cubicle off the Emergency Room. He was on a gurney and I on the only chair. I sang this song to him.

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9 responses to “I sang this to my father”

  1. Jim Wheeler | March 17, 2013 at 6:20 pm | Reply

    Beautiful, Moe. It resonates with the poignant story of Ireland, the heartless exploitation and starvation by wealthy British. Never was there so much sin committed in legitimacy. The lyrics are fine poetry and deserve clarity:

    What did I have, said the fine old woman
    What did I have, this proud old woman did say
    I had four green fields, each one was a jewel
    But strangers came and tried to take them from me
    I had fine strong sons, who fought to save my jewels
    They fought and they died, and that was my grief said she

    Long time ago, said the fine old woman
    Long time ago, this proud old woman did say
    There was war and death, plundering and pillage
    My children starved, by mountain, valley and sea
    And their wailing cries, they shook the very heavens
    My four green fields ran red with their blood, said she

    What have I now, said the fine old woman
    What have I now, this proud old woman did say
    I have four green fields, one of them’s in bondage
    In stranger’s hands, that tried to take it from me
    But my sons had sons, as brave as were their fathers
    My fourth green field will bloom once again said she

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    • Moe | March 21, 2013 at 12:53 pm | Reply

      Thanks Jim. Lovely indeed. When I visited Ireland my father’s cousins took me to the Church and showed me family gravestones which had become in many areas the only record – beyond private family records – of family history because in our county – Cork – the English had destroyed all the Baptism and Marriage certificates in the Churches. Hardly gets more Imperialistic than that!

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  2. Elyse | March 17, 2013 at 8:03 pm | Reply

    OH, I love this song. So beautiful. And a lovely way to ease his passing, for both of you.

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  3. aFrankAngle | March 18, 2013 at 9:45 am | Reply

    Well done on many counts … including sharing this!

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  4. JAY | March 21, 2013 at 7:40 pm | Reply

    I sang right along and love it

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