The following poem was found an old newspaper clipping. It was written in 1952 about the 13th July morning in Lurgan in 1951. The author had been asked several times for it so thought the easiest thing to do was to send it to the Lurgan Mail for publishing. We can tell by the poem that the author was a member of Johnston Memorial RBP 189.
The accompanying photo is of Sir Knights of Derryadd RBP 353 parading down William Street towards the train station.
Please enjoy this wonderful poem!
One morning fair to take the air
Alone I chanced to stray
Down through the town of Lurgan
Where bands did sweetly play
The crowds were lined on every side
As the music it drew near
And the flutes of the Lurgan Amateurs
Were first to catch my ears
And then a bannerette appeared
In words of golden hue
T’was Lurgan District Chapter and
The number it was two
Followed by the district officers who
Were there to lead the Van
From the Master to the Registrar
And each a stalwart man
And then I saw what did me awe a
Banner bright led on
Sir William Allen Memorial were the
Words inscrolled upon
A painting of that noble man was
Plainly to be seen
The Preceptory followed after it
Its number was Nineteen
Then bold and straight came Sixty Eight
Mount Horeb’s Chosen Few
In necklets fine they all did shine
Their aprons trimmed with blue
And One Nought Eight came after them
As the music sweet did play
It was a glorious sight to see all
Those brethren going away
An accordion band I next beheld
Their music soft and low
With a lion on the banner and
The brethren in two row
It was a big preceptory this
the biggest yet by far
It’s number One Two Seven
Boconnell Golden Star
Then round the bend came more black men
Their banner smart and slick
And the number that it carried
Was One Seven Six
Another bannerette appeared
With pride my heart did fill
T’was One Eight Nine when I did join
The boys of Gibsons Hill
The Bleary boys next took the field
By Jimmy Wells were led
And Two Nought Seven followed close
With Blough Band at their head
Their drums near burst when round the Church
they played “Annie Moore”
These boys they blew upon the flutes
I’m sure their throats were sore
With gloves so white in great delight
The next were looking swell
As bold and strong they marched along
Their number was Three Twelve
Heading by Johnstons Memorial
whose pipes did loudly play
And the sun did shine in splendour on
July this thirteenth day
The Three Five Three I next did see
Yes Derryadds their land
Their aprons fine they all did shine with
Glove upon their hand
And next in line was Three Nine Nine
With colours black and red
And Waringstown they followed suit
With Hamilton at their head
Last but not least up came the band
Of the boys from old Kilmore
And the number that they carried was
Eleven Forty Four
The Burning Fiery Furnace
on the banner It was seen
And their breasts were decorated by the
Black the white and green
They halted at the memorial where a
Red cross wreath was laid
In memory of those brethren who the
Sacrifice hath paid
They played the National Anthem
And formed up once again
And marched into the station to
Get the Bangor train
NB: Jimmy McKinley from Dollingstown sang this song often , it went to the tune of the Blackman’s Dream