A TRIBUTE TO A DEAR FRIEND. (KILKENNY, IRELAND)

A TRIBUTE TO A DEAR FRIEND. (KILKENNY, IRELAND), originally uploaded by EDWARD DULLARD.

TO OUR COUSIN KATHLEEN WHO LEFT
IRELAND IN 1959 TO FIND WORK IN AMERICA.
ALTHOUGH SHE NEVER RETURNED TO HER NATIVE
LAND, SHE WAS ALWAYS SPIRITUALLY CONNECTED
TO HER CELTIC ROOTS.
SHE LOVED AMERICA DEARLY BUT ALWAYS INSISTED
THAT SHE BE BURIED IN IRELAND.
KATHLEEN WAS LAID TO REST LESS THAN A MILE
FROM THIS BEAUTIFUL WOOD IN OCTOBER 2007.
MAY SHE REST IN PEACE.

I;LL TAKE YOU HOME AGAIN KATHLEEN.
OLD IRISH SONG.

I'll take you home again, Kathleen
Across the ocean wild and wide
To where your heart has ever been
Since you were first my bonnie bride.
The roses all have left your cheek.
I've watched them fade away and die
Your voice is sad when e'er you speak
And tears bedim your loving eyes.
Oh! I will take you back, Kathleen
To where your heart will feel no pain
And when the fields are fresh and green
I'II take you to your home again!

I know you love me, Kathleen, dear
Your heart was ever fond and true.
I always feel when you are near
That life holds nothing, dear, but you.
The smiles that once you gave to me
I scarcely ever see them now
Though many, many times I see
A dark'ning shadow on your brow.

To that dear home beyond the sea
My Kathleen shall again return.
And when thy old friends welcome thee
Thy loving heart will cease to yearn.
Where laughs the little silver stream
Beside your mother's humble cot
And brightest rays of sunshine gleam
There all your grief will be forgot.