A DUAGH man is hoping to raise funds for a cancer support charity with a song cheering on Kerry in the All-Ireland final.
Johnny Lane is releasing the song ‘Wrapped in Green and Gold’ on CD with all proceeds from any sales going straight towards the Cúnamh Cancer Support Group in the Cork Bon Secours Hospital after they gave great support to his wife, Mairead, during treatment.
Continued below…
Johnny from Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, saw his wife Mairead diagnosed with lymphoma on December 19 of last year and she had to undergo chemotherapy treatment at the end of this past year.
Mairead received great help from the support group who provide meals and refreshments every week, along with financial aid to all patients who travel from Kerry and beyond for treatment.
“I have never written a song in my life before this. I was just at home one day and the words ‘wrapped in green and gold’ appeared out of nowhere. I sat down and wrote the first two verses in no time at all followed by the chorus,” said Johnny in his email to TraleeToday.ie on Thursday.
“I had no intention of doing anything with the song. I loved singing at home or at family gatherings once in a while. I sang it at a family wedding one day and Seamus Regan from Kilmoyley was egging me on to record it but I wouldn’t budge,” he continued.
“I hadn’t any notion of doing anything this year until the Monday evening after Kerry defeated Tyrone in the semi-final. Seamus rang me and said you need to add two more verses to that song and you have to record it. So I sat down straight away and added the last two verses. Then we realised we had a great opportunity to use it to good effect for the Cancer Support Group Cúnamh who are so good to all patients who need them,” he said.
“We recorded the song at Eddie Lees studios in Ballyheigue and I honestly think he has done a fantastic job in arranging the music. So its fingers crossed and hopefully people will like it and more importantly all proceeds go to Cúnamh Cancer Support Group in the Cork Bons for all the help they have given to Mairead and many more over the years. The CD is priced at €5,” he said.
Copies of the CDs in shops will be on sale in Hugh Cullotys and Caballs in Tralee; the GAA Store in Killarney; in Listowel at Footprints – Small Square, Craft Shop na Méir – Church Street and LD Salon – Market Street; in Duagh – Stevie Watsons Petrol station; Moyvane – Hollys Foodstore; Tarbert – John Paul Collins Petrol Station; Killorglin – Manor Inn Bar and Restaurant and Hartys in Causeway.
Check out the song lyrics below…
Wrapped in Green and Gold
Our Munster title’s was retained after drama and replay.
Then an epic with Tyrone filled us with pride
The players know the score and they’re hungry for one more
So it’s on for 38 at Jones Road.
Chorus:
With passing years our dreams won’t dim.
Sure the Kingdoms here to win.
Cause we’ve spent our life wrapped up in Green and Gold.
Yes we’ll dream that Sam is wrapped,
We feel sure that Sam is wrapped,
Come September Sam is wrapped in Green and Gold.
Our Munster title’s was retained after drama and replay.
Then an epic with Tyrone filled us with pride
The players know the score and they’re hungry for one more
So it’s on for 38 at Jones Road.
Chorus:
With passing years our dreams won’t dim.
Sure the Kingdoms here to win.
Cause we’ve spent our life wrapped up in Green and Gold.
Yes we’ll dream that Sam is wrapped,
We feel sure that Sam is wrapped,
Come September Sam is wrapped in Green and Gold.
Well tradition’s hard to beat; Kerry plays it fast and neat
It’s a part of what makes up our Kerry soul
Every woman; every man; plays a part in Kerry’s plan.
We long to see the Kingdom reign once more
We trained hard like all the rest, had dreams to be the best.
Had hopes one day we’d wear the Green and Gold.
Then bad luck and injury, put paid to our young dreams.
And ended thoughts of wearing Green and Gold.
Chorus:
We’ll support our Green and Gold with a passion pure and bold
As old friends and I head up for Jones’ road.
With passing years our dreams won’t dim.
Sure the Kingdoms here to win.
Cause we’ve spent our life wrapped up in Green and Gold.
Árd na Bhóthair lost its King and a void is left within
But his memory will endure for evermore
What a sight for young and old when Paidí wore the Green and Gold
‘twas worn with pride by Gaeltacht’s bravest son.
Fourteen was such a thrill as we gazed down from the Hill
When they toppled Donegal with heart and style
A new record had been done, 37 titles won
Our Kingdom boys had captured Sam Maguire
Chorus:
Well tradition’s hard to beat; Kerry plays it fast and neat
It’s a part of what makes up our Kerry soul
Every woman; every man; plays a part in Kerry’s plan.
We long to see the Kingdom reign once more
We trained hard like all the rest, had dreams to be the best.
Had hopes one day we’d wear the Green and Gold.
Then bad luck and injury, put paid to our young dreams.
And ended thoughts of wearing Green and Gold.
Chorus:
We’ll support our Green and Gold with a passion pure and bold
As old friends and I head up for Jones’ road.
With passing years our dreams won’t dim.
Sure the Kingdoms here to win.
Cause we’ve spent our life wrapped up in Green and Gold.
Árd na Bhóthair lost its King and a void is left within
But his memory will endure for evermore
What a sight for young and old when Paidí wore the Green and Gold
‘twas worn with pride by Gaeltacht’s bravest son.
Fourteen was such a thrill as we gazed down from the Hill
When they toppled Donegal with heart and style
A new record had been done, 37 titles won
Our Kingdom boys had captured Sam Maguire
Chorus: