Farewell to Philomena
Farewell to Bantry Bay
The blossom’s out in Baltimore
But no, I cannot stay
I will not say I’m dreaming
The sun is coming through
God knows there is a meaning
In everything you do
Yes, I remember Skibbereen
And the cliffs at Mizen Head
I cannot see you any more
The living or the dead
Farewell to Philomena
Farewell to Bantry Bay
The blossom’s out in Baltimore
And no, I cannot stay
You stood there on the mountain road
With angels in your hair
You tried to see the future
The future was not there
I will not say I’m dreaming
The sun is coming through
God knows there is a meaning
In everything you do
Farewell to Philomena
Farewell to Bantry Bay
The blossom’s out in Baltimore
And no, I cannot stay
These are the lyrics to a song inspired by my neighbour, Philomena, who died recently. She came from Baltimore, in an area of southern Ireland I happened to visit a few years ago.