Declan Nerney - The Ballad Of Big Tom

Declan Nerney - The Ballad Of Big Tom Declan Nerney honours Big Tom, one of Irish country music’s greats, with a warm, heartfelt tribute to the singer whose voice and songs meant so much to generations of fans. Just outside Castleblaney in a townland called The Moy Mrs. McGrath the midwife cried you have a baby boy No one took any notice what the wise old woman said She said this child is special as she dried the baby's head. More than twenty years had quickly passed the boy was now a man And only when they heard him sing did they understand The words that wise old woman spoke all those years before The baby's name was now Big Tom and part of our folklore. They stood on stage beside him for many, many years They shared lots of good times, some laughter and some tears Ronnie, Seamus, Ginger, Henry, Cyril, John with their magic beat The Mainliners, the band that backed Big Tom. They were on the road in sixty six to Dublin they did go It was arranged by R.T.E. to play the Showband Show A little song with sixteen lines would change their lives forever The first time on T.V. Big Tom sang Gentle Mother. Ten years they were together, the dream came to an end. Big Tom formed The Travelers to be his backing band He sang Fort Worth Texas, this time he went by plane But Four Roads To Glenamady brought him home again. They stood on stage beside him their hits from way back them It's a weary weary world and the roses bloom again Kevin, Ken, Paddy, Harry Packy Shawn, The last tune that we heard each night was Gotta Travel On. Now in eighty nine The Mainliners and Tom Reformed again Back to Castleblaney and the G.N.R. Steam Train They said goodbye to three good friends as time kept moving on John McCormack, John Mooney and Cyril who played Trombone. I can't believe it's fifty years since I heard Big Tom sing The Carol County Accident The Same Way You Came In So Big Tom keep on singing, never mind Old Father Time If it's lonesome at your table you're welcome here at mine. #irishcountrymusic #Irishcounty #bigtom