The Mists Of Time {1981 - 2021}

James Kearney ✒ with some prose addressed to his late comrade, Bobby Sands.

After meeting him for the last time in H6, in February 1981, we shook hands and parted company. I was never to see my comrade, Bobby Sands, again. However, his spirit never left me and continues to guide and inspire me on my road through life, a road which hopefully will lead to his dream and mine, reaching our final destination - a Free and United Ireland.

Never despair.

Never give up.

Never lose hope.

It doesn't seem quite so long ago, the last time that I saw you,
Isn't it funny how the memories grow, seems they always fold around you.
They tried to break you in a living hell, but couldn't find a way,
so instead they killed you in a H Block cell and hoped that all would turn away.

And they thought your spirit couldn't rise again,

but you dared to prove them wrong,

And in death you tore away our chains,

to let the world hear Freedom's song.

Yes the heartache and the pain still linger on,

they're still here,

though it's so long since you've gone,

but we're stronger now,

you showed us how,

Freedom's fight can be won.

I wish there was an easy road to choose, to bring this heartache to an end,

but easy roads are always sure to lose,

I've seen it time and time again.

If you could stand by me like yesterday,

I would find the strength to carry on,

and with your spirit lighting up the way,

then I know our day would surely come.

But the heartache and the pain still linger on,

they're still here,

though it's so long since you've gone.

But we're stronger now,

you showed us how,

Freedom's fight can be won,

... if we all stand as one.

⏩ James Kearney is a former Blanketman.