Big Jerry Shea Poem by Francis Duggan

Big Jerry Shea was in his prime when I was a young fellow
He was a wild one on his day though the years have made him mellow
In the pub with a few drinks in he could be very funny
And with the big fellow about the atmosphere was sunny.

Of social or of sporting club he never was a member
And I doubt he ever watched Cork play in Croke Park in September
He never played Gaelic Football or through sports sought his glory
But a biography on the man's life would make a damn good story.

When Phil Cronin talks of his Hometown of Millstreet far away
One name he always mentions is the name of Jerry Shea
And when he reminisces of the characters of the Millstreet he did know
He always mentions Jerry Shea, John Sing and Mister O.

He's worked in the National Bank in Millstreet Town for long as I can remember
And I'll be fifty six years old on the first day of December
And though he's past the three score years I hear he's hale and hearty
And there's still laughter in the air when Jerry's in the party.