Music « Thurles Information

Sam Stone.

Lyrics and Vocals: American country folk singer/songwriter and guitarist, the late John Prine (1946 – 2020).

The late John Prine.

“Sam Stone” is ultimately about the hidden cost of war; not glory, not victory. A soldier comes home alive, but not whole, and his pain turns into addiction, family suffering, and finally death. The author, the late John Prine, uses Sam’s story to show how veterans can be praised for their service, yet still be left alone to deal with trauma and dependence, once they return home, making the song both a personal tragedy and a quiet anti-war statement.
The line about Jesus Christ, expresses Sam’s feeling that sacrifice, patriotism, religion, and public ideals have failed to save him.

Sam Stone.

Sam Stone.

Sam Stone came home,
To his wife and family,
After serving in the conflict overseas.
And the time that he served,
Had shattered all his nerves,
And left a little shrapnel in his knees.
But the morphine eased the pain,
And the grass grew round his brain,
And gave him all the confidence he lacked.
With a purple heart and a monkey on his back,
There’s a hole in Daddy’s arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin’ I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don’t stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios, (mmhmm).
Sam Stone’s welcome home,
Didn’t last too long.
He went to work when he’d spent his last dime,
And Sammy took to stealing,
When he got that empty feeling,
For a hundred dollar habit without overtime.
And the gold rolled through his veins,
Like a thousand railroad trains,
And eased his mind in the hours that he chose,
While the kids ran around wearin’ other peoples’ clothes.
There’s a hole in daddy’s arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin’ I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don’t stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios, (mmhmm).
Sam Stone was alone,
When he popped his last balloon,
Climbing walls while sitting in a chair.
Well, he played his last request,
While the room smelled just like death.
With an overdose hovering in the air.
But life had lost its fun,
There was nothing to be done,
But trade his house that he bought on the GI bill,
For a flag-draped casket on a local hero’s hill.
There’s a hole in Daddy’s arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin’ I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don’t stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios, (mmhmm).

END.

You Needed Me.

Lyrics: American songwriter Randy Goodrum.
Vocals: Canadian country, pop and adult contemporary music singer Anne Murray.

You Needed Me.

Here’s a beautiful classic made famous by Ms Anne Murray, “You Needed Me“.
It’s a song about love, comfort, and being there for someone when they need you most.
I hope this one brings back a few memories.”

You Needed Me.

I cried a tear, you wiped it dry,
I was confused, you cleared my mind,
I sold my soul, you bought it back for me,
And held me up and gave me dignity,
Somehow, you needed me.

You gave me strength to stand alone again,
To face the world out on my own again,
You put me high upon a pedestal,
So high that I could almost see eternity,
You needed me.
You needed me.

And I can’t believe it’s you I can’t believe it’s true!
I needed you and you were there,
And I’ll never leave, why should I leave? I’d be a fool,
‘Cause I finally found someone who really cares,

You held my hand when it was cold,
When I was lost you took me home,
You gave me hope when I was at the end,
And turned my lies back into truth again,
You even called me friend.

You gave me strength to stand alone again,
To face the world out on my own again,
You put me high upon a pedestal,
So high that I could almost see eternity,
You needed me.
You needed me.
You needed me.
You needed me.
END

What Colour Is the Wind?

Lyrics and Vocals: British country and folk musician and singer-songwriter, Charlie Alexander Landsborough.

The song, hereunder, tells the touching story of a blind child trying to understand the world through simple but powerful questions.
Released in the mid-1990s, it became one of Landsborough’s best-known songs and helped make him especially popular in Ireland.
The song is loved for its emotional lyrics, soft melody, and the message of innocence, love, and wonder.

What Colour Is the Wind?

What Colour Is the Wind?

What colour is the wind, Daddy,
Is it yellow, red or blue,
When he’s playing with my hair, Dad,
Does he do the same to you.
When he’s dying does his colour fade,
Is a gentle breeze a lighter shade,
Just like his friend the sea,
The wind feels blue to me.
When the blackbird starts to sing, Daddy,
Do the flowers hear him, too,
When he’s pouring out his heart, Dad,
Tell me, what do roses do.
Do they cast their scent upon the air,
And is fragrance just a rose in prayer,
Giving thanks to God above,
For the blackbird’s song of love.

Blow, wind, blow, wild and free.
My Daddy says, you’re a lot like me.
I know each colour, its shape and size.
I’ve seen them all, with my Daddy’s eyes.

I know that grass is green, Dad,
I’ve touched it with my toes.
And snow is purest white, Dad,
I’ve felt it with my nose.
But my favorite colour has to be,
The colour of your love for me,
And Daddy, I’ve been told,
That love is always gold.

Blow, wind, blow, wild and free.
My Daddy says, you’re a lot like me.
My Daddy says, you’re a lot like me.

What colour is the wind?

END

My Favourite Memory.

Lyrics and Vocals: American country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler, the late Merle Haggard (1937 – 2016).

Released in 1981 on his Big City album; ‘My Favorite Memory’ is a warm, heartfelt song about love, nostalgia, and the moments that stay with us forever.

My Favourite Memory.

The first time we met,
Is a favourite memory of mine.
They say time changes all it pertains to,
But your memory is stronger than time.
I guess everything does change,
Except what you choose to recall.
There’s a million good daydreams to dream on,
But baby, you are my favourite memory of all.

Like the night we made love in the hallway,
Slept all night long on the floor.
Like the winter we spent on Lake Shasta,
Alone and closer than ever before.
And I remember that London vacation,
It was you made the whole thing a ball.
A million good times I could dwell on,
But baby, you are my favourite memory of all.

The first time we met,
Is a favourite memory of mine.
They say time changes all it pertains to,
But your memory is stronger than time.
I guess everything does change,
Except what you choose to recall.
There’s a million good daydreams to dream on,
But baby, you are my favourite memory of all.

END

Thurles Set To Mark St Patrick’s Day 2026 With Colour, Music and Community Spirit.

Community Spirit to Shine at Thurles St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Thurles is preparing for a vibrant celebration of community, culture and colour, as final arrangements continue for the town’s 2026 St Patrick’s Day Parade.

The event will take place on Tuesday, March 17th, with participants gathering on Abbey Road before making their way into Liberty Square at 2.30pm. Ahead of this years parade, traditional music will begin in Liberty Square from 1.30pm, helping to set the tone for what organisers hope will be a festive and well-supported afternoon.

This year’s celebrations will also place a strong emphasis on inclusion. A sensory area is being provided for those with additional needs, while Ukrainian groups have been invited to take part and share their culture as part of the day’s programme.

Organisers have spent recent weeks working to raise the funds needed to stage the event, with church gate collections taking place across neighbouring parishes. Having already collected in Holycross/Ballycahill last weekend, volunteers are now turning their attention to Thurles. The overall cost of the parade is expected to come in at between €8,000 and €9,000.

The parade committee has also acknowledged the support of sponsors and public bodies who have contributed to the event. Among those backing the parade are Michael’s Jewellers, Thurles Shopping Centre and Supermac’s, while funding has also been provided through a grant from Tipperary County Council.

A number of awards will be presented on the day, with plaques, medals and prizes across categories including Best Performance/Art/Education, Best Dressed Window, Best Small Entry, Best Traditional Window, Best Sports, Judges’ Special Award, Best Individual Entry, Best Walking Group and Best Large Entry.
A vase sponsored by Supermac’s will be awarded to the Best Large Entry, while the overall winner will receive a trophy sponsored by Michael’s Jewellers. The current prize fund stands at between €1,800 and €2,000.

The theme for this year’s parade is simple: “Wear Green”.
Organisers are encouraging everyone attending to embrace the occasion in style and help fill the town with colour on the national day.
They are also appealing for additional stewards to assist with the running of the event. Anyone interested in helping can contact Mobile Tel. No: 087 977 4725.