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when I took him his meals this morning
he was already sitting with his instrument
I was wanting to play a Kerry slide he said
the Road to Lisdoonvarna it’s called
I remembered that much
but my fingers wouldn’t play it
he held up his left hand
fingers bent and shaking
you can’t get a tune without these
and now not with them either he rued
I didn’t know what to say
he’s played since he was a kid
now his music is ending
will his body outlive that end
he says he believes in paradise
but doesn’t think he’ll make it
would my tunes get me in
would it be better if I could sing
angels and saints must have sessions
be better than sitting round here
I asked him was he able
seeing how his hands were bad
to warm his meals in the microwave
it plays a sort of tune he said
Bill Hannan 