Danny Boy

for John and Pat Hume

He moved across the airport concourse in Frankfurt
Like I remember Mister Kerr rushing late to class
With his chalky gown hanging off one shoulder
And a look that asked the world to slow down a wee bit
So that he might have a chance to put everything right.

When first his great name started to enter everything in Ireland
It was not so much that he stood out in the crowd
As that people gathered around him
So that he was in the middle of the front line when they started the long walk
This gentle teacher on television with all his class.

It’s a long drive from Derry to Dublin and back.
He made the journey thousands and thousands and thousands of times
Coming home at all hours through the troubled night.
And he trekked to all the world’s capitals
Dodging the raindrops to try to stay dry
Coaxing the bewildered towards a right way of living.

He said softly ‘education is the key’
And that his greatest achievement
Was helping to bring the Credit Union movement to Ireland.
We are all liberated now
Educated and inspired
By the finest and fairest headmaster of them all.

                                              Hay Machine (e)