Matty McCarthy

He worked for Tom Mulcahy and the Duggan Brothers
And he loved working and he worked hard for every pay
But a crippling stroke forced him to retire early
And robust health with him just did not stay.

It had to be hard for such an active fellow
To suddenly find himself in a wheelchair
But his wife Sheila was a natural carer
And she showered him with tender loving care.

Matty McCarthy raised his family in the hard days
When men had to work hard for every bob
When unemployment reached it's peak in Ireland
And one was lucky to have any sort of job.

On fine summer evenings he sat on his wheelchair
At Claramore beside his cottage gate
And I often talked to him for he seemed lonely
Though he said he felt resigned to his fate.

He often talked of work and of how he loved working
And he did work hard all of his working life
And he said I've been lucky despite all I've been through
With two good children and a marvellous wife.

He did not live on to see his grandchildren
As the crippling stroke it shortened his life span
But I'll always remember Matt McCarthy
For he was such a good and decent man.