In July 1972 three car bombs exploded in the small town of Claudy in Northern Ireland. Nine people were killed. The Ballad of Claudy is a poem/song by Irish Poet James Simmons
Knew Jimmy well when both on staff at University of Ulster. This is the greatest song ever to comment on the so-called Troubles, Mans Inhumanity to Man writ large. My eyes fill up every time I hear him sing it or I read it in one of his publications West Strand Visions. Brilliant!!
JImmy was very welcoming to young people with an interest in poetry. He founded the Poet's House centre at Islandmagee, Larne, with his wife Janice Fitzpatrick Simmons, and there they tutored many at their Summer Schools. A very friendly environment to take your poetry further and to deepen your knowledge of both Poetry and of Northern Ireland.
I was a student at University of Ulster years ago and remember Jimmy performing this song in the folk clubs and bars around Portrush a number of times.
My name is Gary Kerlin and the dear departed Mrs McLaughlin was my aunt Rose of the Singing Kettle cafe.My late father Gerry Kerlin was the only one of the family to leave and married in Birmingharn.The shock he felt then is still with me and his journey back was fraught with anxiety.He was buried near his sister in 2004 St Jospeh Craigbane by home in Munigh.R.I.P.Still have her sacred Mass card.
July 31, 1972; I had just turned 10. My cousin and his wife welcomed their third child, a daughter, into the world. Sadly, our world would be shattered 17 days later with the sudden death of my maternal grandfather. But unlike his brothers and sisters, he didn't suffer at death, which now I am thankful for.
My Great great uncles name was David Miller. I was so surprised when my father told me a few years ago that this happened. I never knew him but now one deserves to die this way. R.I.P David Miller.
I only just discovered this song, via a great reading by James Simmons himself in the "All You Need is Love" documentary series showing on Sky Arts recently. Just him and his acoustic guitar, powerful stuff. Can't see it posted on youtube but i'd advise anyone to seek it out if they like the song.
Your father was a fine poet &, I suspect, a courageous man. I've been trying to get a copy of him playing the Ballad of Claudy for years. He also wrote a short, powerful poem about the murders of Corporals David Howes & Derek Wood. Best wishes to you & your family.
hearing it with this voice is much sadder than to just read the poem...Especially the break before the last lines of Claudy are repeated from the beginning...ó_o. Btw. I had to search it for my English lessons...
@Barr757 No. He was a farmer. He was loading old corn stalks onto his tractor to feed his cows when he was suddenly stricken (heart attack). He just lay down and died a peaceful death in the garden. It's almost as if he planned it that way.
@@rossgormley1571 When did that happen Ross, in your warped imagination?. The ballad is about indesriminate murder of people in Claudy carried out by the IRA with the help of a priest.
@@rossgormley1571 There was an Ombudsman's investigation into alleged collusion. Was there ever proof or anyone charged? In the Claudy case the NIO, Police and RC church colluded to protect a priest. The people of Claudy Protestant and Catholic were denied justice and the Catholic church is still in denial.
A while back I uploaded another song: ruclips.net/video/tjwbdR00VII/видео.html
Knew Jimmy well when both on staff at University of Ulster. This is the greatest song ever to comment on the so-called Troubles, Mans Inhumanity to Man writ large. My eyes fill up every time I hear him sing it or I read it in one of his publications West Strand Visions. Brilliant!!
JImmy was very welcoming to young people with an interest in poetry. He founded the Poet's House centre at Islandmagee, Larne, with his wife Janice Fitzpatrick Simmons, and there they tutored many at their Summer Schools. A very friendly environment to take your poetry further and to deepen your knowledge of both Poetry and of Northern Ireland.
I was a student at University of Ulster years ago and remember Jimmy performing this song in the folk clubs and bars around Portrush a number of times.
My dad would play this when I was a kid, and iv just re discovered it, brings back so many memories, miss you dad
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@@tohru7730 so are you
My name is Gary Kerlin and the dear departed Mrs McLaughlin was my aunt Rose of the Singing Kettle cafe.My late father Gerry Kerlin was the only one of the family to leave and married in Birmingharn.The shock he felt then is still with me and his journey back was fraught with anxiety.He was buried near his sister in 2004 St Jospeh Craigbane by home in Munigh.R.I.P.Still have her sacred Mass card.
July 31, 1972; I had just turned 10. My cousin and his wife welcomed their third child, a daughter, into the world. Sadly, our world would be shattered 17 days later with the sudden death of my maternal grandfather. But unlike his brothers and sisters, he didn't suffer at death, which now I am thankful for.
I was in Belfast when this terrible event happened, it was heart breaking to see this on the news.
Let us hope it never happens again.
My Great great uncles name was David Miller. I was so surprised when my father told me a few years ago that this happened. I never knew him but now one deserves to die this way. R.I.P David Miller.
I only just discovered this song, via a great reading by James Simmons himself in the "All You Need is Love" documentary series showing on Sky Arts recently. Just him and his acoustic guitar, powerful stuff. Can't see it posted on youtube but i'd advise anyone to seek it out if they like the song.
Your father was a fine poet &, I suspect, a courageous man. I've been trying to get a copy of him playing the Ballad of Claudy for years. He also wrote a short, powerful poem about the murders of Corporals David Howes & Derek Wood. Best wishes to you & your family.
I remember it well. I have family in Limavady and Coleriane. The evil bastards who did this or condone this do not, and never will represent them.
hearing it with this voice is much sadder than to just read the poem...Especially the break before the last lines of Claudy are repeated from the beginning...ó_o.
Btw. I had to search it for my English lessons...
And 11 years later were still studying it lol
@Barr757 No. He was a farmer. He was loading old corn stalks onto his tractor to feed his cows when he was suddenly stricken (heart attack). He just lay down and died a peaceful death in the garden. It's almost as if he planned it that way.
I'll have to tell her about this
Holy Christ...this is about a real event ?? Very graphic... will research this... Very Shocking. RIP to all who lost their lives..
Nick H I live in claudy yes a real event sadly
The IRA were absolute monsters.
@@rossgormley1571 When did that happen Ross, in your warped imagination?. The ballad is about indesriminate murder of people in Claudy carried out by the IRA with the help of a priest.
@@rossgormley1571 There was an Ombudsman's investigation into alleged collusion. Was there ever proof or anyone charged? In the Claudy case the NIO, Police and RC church colluded to protect a priest. The people of Claudy Protestant and Catholic were denied justice and the Catholic church is still in denial.
@@rossgormley1571 You you get your kicks out of talking shite ?
@@trueblue6881 no im just pointing out that no one ever seems to admit that the troubles went both ways both sides did horrible things to each
@@rossgormley1571 Of course they did and we can only hope it never ever starts up again.
he was my uncle
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