Denis Lehane: Saying goodbye to Dolly and hello to the lolly
'Dolly was one of our own,' a mart manager said to me, as we were waved off at the airport by a mart committee. Picture: Jason Kempin/Getty Images
I'm just back from America, having paid my respects to Dolly Parton.
I went there with a group of cattle drovers.
Our trip was paid for by the local cattle marts, who were keen to send out a respectful group of Johnnies from the Irish cattle sector.
It was a very expensive trip, but the marts have loads of money and they said it would be worth it.
"Dolly was one of our own," a mart manager said to me, as we were waved off at the airport by a mart committee.
After arriving at JFK, we were quizzed about our reasons for visiting the US.
And then we were asked about our business. "If ye are indeed cattle drovers, where are yer sticks?"
"Because of the PC brigade, and all that kind of malarkey," I explained.
The officials seemed to understand, and wished us well on our travels.
Looking after the farm back home, in my absence, was Murty.
Murty, my loyal friend, has been helping me, on and off, my whole life.
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And while a long way from a spring chicken nowadays, he still does what he can.
Or what any man can, with one good leg and one good arm.
On the first day, the cattle broke out, and Murty was on the blower telling me that it had been a nightmare to bring them back.
"Think of the old Dolly Parton quote," I advised.
"There can't be a rainbow without rain."
Murty was tired from running, but seemed to understand,
On the second day, the tractor wouldn't start.
And again over the phone, I was all advice, telling Murty to roll her down the lane.
"She should start then," says I, in a knowledgeable fashion.
"God," said Murty, "but how do you know everything?"
"Yerra," says I, "in the words of Dolly Parton, 'You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
know when to walk away, and know when to run."
"But that's Kenny Rogers," Murty says.
"Yerra," says I, "whether it's Kenny or Dolly, tis all the same now."
And Murty agreed with me, of course.
For alas, they are both departed now.
The great Kenny and the wonderful Dolly
Life can be very sad sometimes...
Murty rung all excited. He had great news.
A long-awaited Department of Agriculture cheque had arrived!
I had been waiting for this cheque for what felt like years, but perhaps in reality, it was only months.
"Will I take it to town?" Murty asked with great enthusiasm.
"Do indeed, Murty!" I roared back, before launching into a verse of "Oh Ruby, don't take your love to town!"
Again Murty knew that this wasn't a Dolly song, but didn't seem to mind.
Our chips were in, and stacked high! The news was nothing short of miraculous.
"Murty," says I, "you have saved the day yet again."
To which Murty replied: "Sure, in the words of Dolly, 'If you see someone without a smile, give them yours'."
And we were certainly smiling now. Our pockets were full.
And the smile remains, even if the wonderful days of Dolly and Kenny are gone.
Gone to that great 'island in the stream,' up there in the sky.
