Jack O'Donnell, 1927 to 2014

One of the readings at today's funeral at St. William's in Euclid for our friend Jack O'Donnell was Chapter 13 of First Corinthians. This reading is often featured at weddings, but it was perfect for Jack's funeral. Jack O'Donnell was a kind, generous man, dedicated to his wonderful family. I like to think of him as a good Irishman, with the Irish characteristics of conversation, humor, and a talent for friendship and family. Here is one version of that  great reading, where Paul puts aside his sometimes pedantic style and soars with the voice of a great poet:

1 Corinthians 13

New International Version (NIV)

13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.#

As the pallbearers processed with Jack's casket out of the church, Bruce Greig, pipe major from the Irish American Club East Side played the tune "Erin's Green Shores." Here is a version of that tune:

Altan's version, "Gleanntain Ghlas Ghaoth Dobhair" (The Green Glenns of Gweedore):

I hope at the end of my life people will be able to honestly say that I loved my friends and family--that I was a generous, loyal friend.

New Poem

“I Feel Like I’m 27 Again!”
(for Linda Rose)

She said, a tear in her eye,
My own blinded by tears
As we waltzed to the old Gaelic tune, “Eoghanaín Ó Ragadáin,”
Right there in the kitchen, middle of Saturday morning chores,

And knowing just a bit about the meaning of the Irish words,
Sung by Mairéad Ni Mhaonaigh, but understanding so perfectly

The great sweetness, longing, and ache
Of this music. The chorus came round and Mairéad sang out,
“Mo Rún! Mo Rún!

And I knew what that meant!
“My love! My love!” I’ve known that
These 34 years . . . .

And as the waltz and song ended,
You said, “I feel like I’m 27 again!”

(And to me you’ll always be 27,
The most beautiful thing this boy has ever seen,
And I will always be 29,
Walking you, Mo Rún, Mo Stór,
My Love, My Treasure,
Down the aisle at St. George’s.)

Robert M. Coughlin
February 26, 2011
Chardon, Ohio

Beautiful Irish Singers: Heidi Talbot and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh

There's something about a beautiful female voice that affects me so deeply. I'm reminded of Walt Whitman's reaction to operatic voices (in Walt's case, I think the attraction was to male voices). Somehow, the voice, the power of song, goes straight to the heart, straight to the soul. I find that the great American folksinger Judy Collins does that to me. And certainly the great Irish singers Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan and Heidi Talbot, formerly of Cherish the Ladies, do that. Recently I listened to the album Woman of the House by Cherish the Ladies. A song that Heidi sings on that CD, "The Green Fields of Canada," will touch your heart. It's the amazing combination of great lyrics, beautiful tune, and beautiful performance. There is almost nothing like it in the world.

Maith thú! Mairéad and Heidi!