My grandfather, John McMahon, was known to family and friends as Pop. I never really knew him. He died when I was just a baby. What I do know of him, I know from the stories passed on by other family members ... those stories and the songs my grandfather wrote ... songs like "Ask Them In Justice That Ireland Be Free". I feel like I know him. This song is

For Pop

Often while sleeping I'll dream of
a man and his emerald isle
Neither I've known but for stories
but never the stories will die.

Grandpa you used to hold me
if all of the stories are true
You'd spin me your tales about Ireland
You'd call me King Brian Boru.

And Pop, I hear you calling
not lands across the sea
but life you loved so dearly,
life, my legacy.

Stories are woven from fibers
of truth, dreams and how life should be
Ah, you've built a fine quilt for your family
Outshines the fair vale of Tralee.

And Pop, I hear it calling
not lands across the sea
but life you loved so dearly,
life, it calls to me.

Ireland, I'll never see Ireland
but I'll dream of her bonnie brooks' gleam
and I'll live every day until we meet;
my grandpa, King Brian and me.