Hola, por favor, perdone que hable tan mal el espanol..

This is a very old and very emotional Irish song based on the small town of "Kilkelly" in County Mayo, Ireland. I would really like to adopt a translated version for a small spanish town so that the words are more relevant to the local spaniards.

If you'd like to hear a good Irish version you can find it here..
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm3cpx-9kPg

1st Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 60, my dear and loving son John

Your good friend the schoolmaster Pat McNamara, was so good to write these words down.

Your brothers' have all gone to find work in England, the house is so empty and sad,

The crop of potatoes is badly infected, a third to a half of them bad.

And your sister Bridget and Patrick O'Donnell, are going to be married in June.

Your mother says not to work on the railroad, and be sure to come on home soon.


2nd Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 70, dear and loving son John

Hello to your Mrs and to your four children, may they grow healthy and strong.

Michael has got in a little bit of trouble, I suppose that he never will learn.

Because of the dampness there's no turf to speak of so now we have nothing to burn.

But Bridget is happy, you named a child for her, although she's got six of her own.

You say you found work, but you don't say what kind, or when you'll be coming back home.


3rd Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 80, dear Michael and John, my sons

I'm sorry to bring you the very sad news that your dear old mother has gone,

We buried her down at the church in Kilkelly, your brothers and Bridget were there.

You don't have to worry, she died very quickly, remember her in your prayers.

And it's so good to hear that Michael's returning, with money he's sure to b u y land,

For the crop has been poor and the people are s e l l i n g, at any price that they can.


4th Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 90, my dear and loving son John

I suppose that I must be close on to eighty, it's thirty years since you're gone.

But because of all of the money you sent me, I'm still living fine on my own.

Michael has built himself a fine house and Bridgets daughters have grown.

Thank you for sending your family picture, they're lovely young women and men.

You say that you might even come for a visit, what joy to see you again.

5th Verse
Kilkelly, Ireland, 18 and 92, my dear brother John,

I'm sorry that I didn't write sooner to tell you that father passed on

He was living with Bridget, she says he was cheerful and healthy right down to the end.

Ah, you should have seen him p l a y with the grandchildren of Pat McNamara, your friend.

And we buried him alongside of mother, down at Kilkelly churchyard.

He was a strong and a feisty (courageous) old man, considering his life was so hard.

And it's funny the way he kept talking about you, he called out for you at the end.

Oh, why don't you think about coming to visit, we'd all love to see you again.


Muchas Gracias, te lo agradezco