I was working in Heuston Station

Like my Da and his before him

Trying to pass the time before the bell

When a poor hand and a bad joke

Sent me down to the Phoenix Park

To join the Royal Dublin Fusiliers

My mother went down to plead my case

But the ink had already dried

And God love her I still remember every tear she cried

Now I’m writing from a barracks

On the north side of the Lee

And ill be soon for cork harbor on the way

Do the boys still run down to see me

When the hear the hooter blow

Does my sister still resent me

Now that I must wear the rose

Well I hope that this letter

Will find you in good health

With all my love

Your fond son John

Well my dad pulled into the station

So I went to meet him there

Said thank you for the cigarettes and the cake

I was down heartened

When he pulled out

And again I said goodbye

And I headed back for the old Youghal Road

Do the boys still run down to see me

When the hear the hooter blow

Does my sister still resent me

Now that I must wear the rose

Ma, I'm headed for northern France

To a river they call the Somme

With all my love

Your fond son John

Yes John, the boys still run down to see you

When they hear the hooter blow

And your sister did forgive you

For she knows you did not know

Son mind yourself and hurry home

And I'll have your dinner on

With all my love

My fond son John

Well John he never came home

He died at 21

They couldn't find his body in the morgue

But theres a headstone up in Thiepval

And it's scribed as private Geoghegan

Son of Hugh and Ellen of Inchicore