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Richie O'Shea
by Tony Fallon (Jan. 12, 2016)

When Bridget and Richie started out on their wedding day

They put their trust in God to lead them on their way

Though the years they were blessed with five wonderful children

Who have grown into fine young women and fine young men

If you stuck a pin in Richie O’Shea his blood would be green

And he never ever sang a song that was any way obsene.

We all came here together from both far away and near


To pay final respects to a man we all loved so dear

A man who loved to sing and who loved to entertain

As he took us back to Ireland on an imaginary plane.


Up in heaven joining many others is another singing star

Singing of a Lady from Limerick or men from Castlebar

Or maybe he’ll sing of Drumlish and its famous Marquee

Or about McCarthys Shanagolden or the Rose of Castlerea

He often called me on the phone on many Saturday nights

As they headed out thru Mineola or maybe Roslyn Heights

One can imagine them practicing in Paddy Noonan’s vans

Rebel songs of the Irish and the hated Black and Tans.


When he sang of Glemaddy and the byways to his heart

We all though of other towns from which we did depart

And to the Tipperary men I’m sure he brought great joy

When they heard him sing about their Galtee Mountain Boy.


Who can forget the Whistling Gypsy and the O’Brien’s from Cork

And Richie singing for all of us about the Streets of New York.

He sang about the Foyle that flows through Lovely Derry

And Danny Doyle’s song about the green hills of Kerry

He sang of a mother and son sadly parting on a Quay.


And asked us to join the Irish Navy far across the sea

He sang with pride of the bravery of Robert Emmett Bold

And his love of Ireland and the Green White and Gold.


There were songs he sung which he really made his own

Like the one about the border and Sean South of Garryowen.


He sang of a Castlemaine man who to Australia was exiled

A real Colonial Boy who grew up very mean and wild

He sang with feeling of Kevin Barry who wanted to be shot

Keeping his memory alive so his sacrifice is never forgot.


For the Scottish he sang about the Flower of Scotland

And for all the Irish Americans Mc Namara’s Band

He sang the soccer anthem about the Fields of Atherny

About a young man stealing corn so his family didn’t die

He made everybody happy when he sang of Irelands 32

And about Katie Daly and her good old mountain Dew.


He sang of an Irish rebel who had on his head a bounty

And the brave lads who fought the Black And Tans from Cork County.


And he sang of a blackguard looking for a nice young honey

His name was Dan and she had to have plenty of money

He sang about the 3 pubs in Bohola one of which was Clark’s

When he was singing in the summer around New York’s Parks.


He sang about a Boston burglar who wound up in jail

And friends who came and did not get him out on bail

He always hoped the Irish People could be on the one road

And he wanted to live where the river Shannon flowed

He could sing about being in Australia at a variety show

Or getting a Galway shawl when there’s moonlight in Mayo

He sang about an Irish Rover who was always a little wild

But came back a rich man and with his family reconciled

He asked all Irishmen to be happy and to often sing

Songs that we all know and love like the Claddagh Ring

He sang the whimsical song about a bunch of Thyme

But we will all remember him for One Day at a time

And I know why he sang with much joy about Newport Town

Bridget came from there before she wore her wedding gown

Some people have fond memories of cruises on the high seas

And romantic dancing to Ritchie’s songs in the midnight breeze

With Richie Marie Francis Johnny Hanley and Kenny McLeod

Paddy Noonan’s band was prime and could entertain any crowd

And when Richie left Paddy Noonan’s band he really was blest

By teaming up with Frank Keegan one of the very best

And when again we think of Richie a man of class and style

The thing that we’ll remember most of all is that incredible smile

And so we have come here to shed a tear for a man so very kind

And shed tears for our own young days which we have left behind
God gave us the ability to cry,

So our hearts wouldn't break.


Then he gave us time,

To help us heal the ache.