Neilly Joe

When last he drove the ambulance in Millstreet It must be over twenty years ago Some knew him as 'Neilly the ambulance driver' And others simply called him Neilly Joe. With his wife and family he lived near the hospital From their house a good view of Clara hill His body may have left that place forever But I reckon that his spirit lives there still. He had his faults but none of us are perfect And whenever duty beckoned he answered the call And he was always helpful and kindhearted And he endeared himself to one and all. I'd love to write a song for Neilly Murphy Were I born with the genius of a bard Of how he became known around Duhallow And of how he battled on when times were hard. I still have mental pictures in my memory Of small stocky man with big smile on his face A great character he's one I still remember And he'll live forever in my old home place. For years he drove the ambulance in Millstreet In all kinds of weather frost and hail and snow Some knew him as Neilly the ambulance driver And others simply called him Neilly Joe.