KilkellyKilkelly Ireland, eighteen and sixty, my dear and lovin' son John
Your good friend the Schoolmaster, Pat McNamara's, so good as to write these words down.
Your brothers have all gone to find work in England, the house is so empty and sad.
The crop of potatoes is sorely affected, a third to a half of them bad.
And your sister Bridget and Patrick O'Donnell, are goin' to get married in June
and Your mother says not to work on the railroad, and be sure to come on home soon.
Kilkelly Ireland, eighteen and seventy, dear and lovin' son John