Ballad of John O’Reilly

John O’Reilly was quite a man

now gone too soon from this earth.

He came to us from over the see

from Scotland, the land of his birth.

He lived, he loved, and oh, how he laughed

with Helen, the lass that he loved.

While she’s yet here, to care for their kin,

he’ll watch over her from above.

John O’Reilly, he lived and he loved,

 and yes, he’s laughing still.

He laughed at life, and laughs at death

and he’s hoping that you too will.

Helen with weans at her knee

spins tales of Scotland and John.

She’ll share his love with all of them

now she’s left to carry on.

Helen will hug and kiss the weans

to remind them of Grandpa John’s love.

And in the quiet, she’s sure she hears

John laughing aloud from above.

John’s love still lives in Helen, his lass.

She can hear this all in his laughter.

And one day, when the time is right,

she’ll meet with him in the hereafter.

One day our weans will tell a story to theirs

of laughter they heard on the wind.

And they were sure it had to be

John O. and his Helen, his love, and his friend.

by

Kimber Barrow