Benjamin Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I remember a time like the mellow vintage wine with the warmth of my friends all around Where the laughter flowed so free and good fortune favoured me And the world was a little country town But the pipes and drums held sway with the music of the day And the folding of the flag seemed far away I still see them dancing by and a tear comes to my eye as I think of all those hopeful carefree hearts For the wheel of life turned round to create a different sound as each one of them was lost to foreign parts And the pipes and drums held sway as the music of the day With the folding of the flag not far away Now there doesn't seem to be many good things facing me for old age is an unforgiving place And in a long lost while I've forgotten how to smile as the years have left their lines upon my face Yet pipes and drums still play a fresh music of the day And the folding of the flag's not far away But in my heart there's still a time like the mellow vintage wine where the laughter of my friends will never die And though good times may be few my fond memories see me through To when we'll dance once more together, you and I And the pipes and drums can play while the loved ones softly pray And the folding of my flag takes up the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fdelano Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Is there a wee bit o' the Irish in you, Geoff? This captured and held, leaving me sad but glad to have the pleasure of being a guest student. A work I envy. Paco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 I wrote these words (untitled) for a friend some years ago to fit a traditional Irish tune "The Curragh Of Kildare". I'd played music at many Irish clubs, weddings and for traditional dancers for a number of years; I was always awed by the respect they showed when we played their national anthem at the end of venues. The title as a poem however, was meant to add a rather more universal aspect. Best wishes for the new year. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eclipse Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 this is genuinely moving Benjamin-Barry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcmarti1 Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Really liked the progression of the last line in each stanza. Ties the whole thing together. The last 2 books I have read were by Sigfried Sassoon, as is the current one on my PC in PDF. Very timely to have read yours. :) Musical piece, indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badger11 Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Progresses fluidly B. The poem has its own voice. all the best badge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_con Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Moving & Magnificent! That touched me in a way a good sentimental movie does -- saw Get Low, last weekend: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1194263/ and it evoked the same response. Well, well done. Juris Quote thegateless.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 Thanks to all for your comments. Juris: I recall a traditional wake I was invited to in 1973 where a much loved bearded philanthropist, was propped upright in his coffin to 'view' the celebration of his life. An image that remains with me... I doubt he would have been disappointed. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyv Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 A well-crafted work that comes full circle, but for me the draw is in the youth of the first verse Where the laughter flowed so free/and good fortune favoured me and the folding of the flag seemed far away. Interesting choice of word in "seemed" as opposed to "was." !!! ... I recall a traditional wake I was invited to in 1973 where a much loved bearded philanthropist, was propped upright in his coffin to 'view' the celebration of his life ... !!!I remember in high school when a few guys died for whatever reason (drug overdose, etc.) the deceased would be dressed in his everyday wear: concert t-shirt, leather vest, and blue jeans. Mourners would place things that were near and dear to him (cigarettes, nip bottles, etc.) in his casket and shirt pocket, but I couldn't even imagine propped up!Tony Quote Here is a link to an index of my works on this site: tonyv's Member Archive topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randver Askmadr Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Caught myself singing this one. It has an easy flow to it. great work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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