Farmer Matthews memory will live on in words and song
He was one of life’s gentle men, a local character about whom little was known, bar his habit at times of carrying a heavy branch along the Dublin Road, like Christ bearing the cross to Calvary.
But now Drogheda poet Anthony ‘Hess’ Matthews has encapsulated John ‘Farmer’ Matthews in a beautiful poem called The Lonely Soldier, which will soon be set to music by another local legend.
‘I remember him as a kid, and when I saw a photograph of him on Drogheda Down Memory Lane Facbook page, I thought I’d write something about him,’ said Hess, who has released a book of his poetry called ‘ Down Memory Lane’. ‘I wrote it last week in a car park, and I honestly think it is the best thing I have written; very grown up!’
Californian-based singer Swan Montgomery - who gew up in Marian Park - also agrees, and wants to set the poem to music.
‘I had just put the poem up on my Facebook page, when Swan , or Dave as I remember him growing up’ contacted me to say he loved it, and could he set it to music,’ explains Hess. ‘I am very flattered and can’t wait to hear it.’
No relation, ‘Farmer Matthews’ wasn’t actually a farmer, but was known to be the brother of Francie Matthews, who was the gravedigger in Calvary.
THE LONELY SOLDIER: By Anthony Matthews...
Carefree, strolling the graveyard, where people meet their maker
Brought back boyhood moments swings good times in Bully’s Acre.
Lines on the trunk of a tree stirred vision, times when much younger
Memories, a man came to mind, christened him ‘ The Lonely Soldier’.
Children cowered for cover charging crying when he would come
Shirt buttoned below chest alluringly attracting the summer sun.
Beneath matted hair behind the beard lies an image so less older
Languid lines lay above the brow on the face of The Lonely Soldier.
Could be heard conversing with no one at the bottom of Barrack Lane
Cold crumpled coat aligned his body sarcastically some say was insane.
Chatting cordially with his redeemer often with logs upon his shoulder
Carrying Christ’s cross bearing the brunt, the back of ‘ The Lonely Soldier’.
Showing stoutness in silence secretly too scared to reveal a history
Smiled as you chatted and spoke about what? remains a mystery.
Whatever your plight wrong or right, green grass days more Golder
Discovered love, skies above, no arms embraced ‘ The Lonely Soldier’.