Prelude 

This is winter in Castleraynal,
This is a say-gull high in the air,
This is the man that hears the say-gull,
This is the ’98 monument in the square,
This is the chapel up the hill, 
This is the hill down to the quay,
This is the Mary Rose, Glandore,
This is the postman by the sea,
This is the cliffs he leaves behind,
This is the band plays “Belle Mahone,"
This is the bridge that he must cross,
This is the house where he will come,
This is the old widow by the fire,
This is the young widow by the fire,
This is the hotel, this the lodger
Sipping his last bass by the fire,
This is the son, the stalwart man,
Sipping tea in his queenie’s house,
This is the Vincent de Paul meeting,
This is the daughter, Mary Rose,
This is the younger son, bedamn,
Coorting his madam up the hill,
This is the madam gay and bold,
This is the spots he kissed her fill,
This is the priest in the madam’s house,
This is the madam’s ma he tells,
"This is the coming big retreat, 
This is for all they rings the bells,”
This is the bells rings ten o'clock,
This is the daughter good gets up,
This is the priest says, "Time to go,"
This is the ma that gives him snuff,
This is the son's (the stalwart’s) rise,
This is the younger son says, ”Stay,”
This is the madam gay that sighs,
This is the “Belle Mahone” they play,
This is the lodger stands a round,
This is the postman hears the rings,
This is the winter-stricken wave,
This is the song, the song she sings,
This is the bell, the bell that rings, 
This is the candle climbs the stair,
This is the wind blows it about,
This is a sea-gull cries in the air,
“Life is many, is many, is many,
Is fair, fair, fair," 
This is the wind that blows it out.



Source: O'Connor, Frank; Three Old Brothers and Other Poems; 1936;
London; Thomas Nelson & Sons Ltd.; pp.17-18