[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in The Parish of St Mel’s and Other Verses, 1954.] The Pastor of St Mel’s Well now, it’s over forty years, the parish record tells, Since I stepped out with fine ideas promoted to St Mel’s. A coming place, a rising town, the Bishop’s letter read, A […]

[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in The Parish of St Mel’s and Other Verses, 1954.] Himself and Myself We’re yoke mates: I cannot say whether ’Twas chance or design or decree That has thrown us thus closely together, My curate and me. We differ on all things outside of the Book: He’s […]

[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in The Parish of St Mel’s and Other Verses, 1954.] Cooney’s Daughter Well, we’ve married Cooney’s daughter with a mighty hullabaloo, And I could wish the lot of them as far as Timbuctoo. Huh! The airs of Cooney’s daughter with the satins and the silk, Sure, I […]

[Editor: This poem by John O’Brien was published in The Parish of St Mel’s and Other Verses, 1954.] Sittin’ be the Wall Tickets, seven and a tanner; and the school was decorated By the women of the parish with fal-dal-dums without end: ’Twas the Big Ball of the Season, so the priest on Sunday stated, […]