Thurles Information

He was born 77 years ago today, November 17th, 1940, into a Dublin city working-class household, living at No. 1. Lattimore Cottages, Sheriff Street, the son of a of Jacob’s Biscuit Factory employee.

In his late teens, in 1958, he would move to England, undertaking various manual jobs including; steel fixing on a building site, a vacuum cleaner salesman and an oil barrel cleaner.

But it was as a musician and singer that he was to attract world wide attention. Playing in the style of Pete Seeger and Tommy Makem, he undeniably became one of Ireland’s greatest folk singers. Yes, we speak of the Irish singer, folk musician and actor, Luke Kelly, who alas passed away on January 30th 1984, having been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

His final resting place is to be found in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, with his grave marker bearing the simply inscription: Luke Kelly – Dubliner.

The Unquiet Grave

The wind doth blow today my love, a few small drops of rain.
Never have I had but one true love, in cold clay she is lain.
I’ll do as much for my true love, as any young man may.
I’ll sit and mourn all on her grave, a twelve month and a day.

The twelve month and the day being gone, a voice spoke from the deep.
Who is it sits all on my grave and will not let me sleep?
‘Tis I ’tis I, thine own true love who sits upon your grave,
For I crave one kiss from your sweet lips and that is all I seek.

You crave one kiss from my clay cold lips but my breath is earthy strong,
Had you one kiss from my clay cold lips, your time would not be long.
My time be long, my time be short, tomorrow or today,
May God in heaven have all my soul, but I’ll kiss your lips of clay.

See down in yonder garden green Love, where we used to walk.
The sweetest flower that ever grew is withered to the stalk.
The stalk is withered dry my love, so will our hearts decay,
So make yourself content my love, till death calls you away.

Everywhere Cancer appears to be on the increase, and when cancer begins, it produces few immediate symptoms. The signs and symptoms only appear as the mass or lumps grow or ulcerate.

The very moving song hereunder; (first released six years ago; in July 2011), tells the true story of a 38-year-old woman being supported by her husband, while battling breast cancer. The inspiration for this song was Lily Isaacs, a breast cancer survivor and mother of Sonya Isaacs, the songs co-author.

I’m Gonna Love You Through It.

(Written by Jimmy Yeary, Sonya Isaacs, Ben Hayslip.)

She dropped the phone and burst into tears
The doctor just confirmed her fears
Her husband held it in and held her tight
Cancer don’t discriminate or care if you’re just 38
With three kids who need you in their lives
He said, “I know that you’re afraid and I am, too
But you’ll never be alone, I promise you.”

When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear
That I’ll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.

She made it through the surgery fine
They said they caught it just in time
But they had to take more than they planned
Now it’s forced smiles and baggy shirts
To hide what the cancer took from her
But she just wants to feel like a woman again
She said, “I don’t think I can do this anymore”
He took her in his arms and said
“That’s what my love is for”

When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear
That I’ll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.

And when this road gets too long
I’ll be the rock you lean on
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.
I’m gonna love you through it.

Perhaps tonight is a good time for all of us to count blessings; say ‘Thank You’ to our God, whatever we conceive Him to be, and commit to supporting Suir Haven, who do such great work here in Thurles.