Lyric and tune

During the week I had a call from someone asking if I’d record the words of the poem put together in memory of the Crew of Rescue 116.  I discovered that the piece had been picked up by the Connaught Telegraph and that may well have been the reason I was contacted.  It was good to think the words had gone a little further than my little bit of cyberspace and I truly hope they are some help and, if nothing else, an assurance to the families of all involved that they are not forgotten and that the lives and loss of their loved ones have impacted heavily upon us.  I sent the recording to the lady and believe she may use it on an upcoming Radio Tribute to the Crew. I asked my friend, Fr James McDonagh, if he’d record a solo version of “The Waves of Kilkee” (he has a fine version with his family and friends on a “Rose In The Heather” CD) and James kindly agreed.  I include his tune now with the words and hope they have a place here again. (James was the friend I was speaking with the night I heard Rescue 116 pass overhead)

We remember in prayer Dara and Mark who have been returned to their families and continue to hold in the depths of our hearts a prayer for the finding of Paul and Ciarán that they may be returned to their families to allow space and time for grieving and healing.  May God’s blessing be upon all those continuing to search for them and may there be a successful outcome to that search.

On Monday last I heard your sound
you in sky and me on ground,
on the phone, chatting with a friend
wondered where your journey’s end?

Someone somewhere was in need
prayed you’d reach them with due speed
and from the sky you’d hover low
to help the stricken ones below

The sound was loud as you crossed Mayo
I prayed God’s blessing as you’d go
a fleeting wish that you’d be blest
and to ones troubled you’d bring rest

An hour later I went to bed
your journey then had left my head
a few hours later the story broke
as to a new day I awoke

Helicopter missing near Black Sod;
Could it be them? I asked my God
is that the one that passed last night
to ease another’s troubled plight?

​And yes it was or so it seems
in a world shattered by broken dreams
In lives laid down, you gave your all
in answer to another’s call
​
Your photos now before our gaze
friends and family offer tear-filled praise
and the loss they feel is ours too
for​ as a nation we mourn you
​
How could you as crew have known
the destiny to which you’d flown
but know this now and for evermore
your memories in our hearts we store
​
To Dara, Paul, Ciarán and Mark
who flew that night into the dark
know this day, you gave your best
in God’s hands we leave the rest.