AUDIO: Cork born poet Louis de Paor's poem in honour of Rory Gallagher

Did you know Cork poet Louis de Paor had penned a tribute to his hero, Rory Gallagher.

The renowned poet is a major Rory Gallagher fan and saw him play live at least 12 times.

“I can think of no other musician or artist who gave as much of himself to his audience.” said De Paor.

Louis De Paor

“The poem wonders whether he fully realised how much that meant to those of us who were at the receiving end of his reckless generosity,” he said.

READ NEXT: Check out this Rory Gallagher interactive story map

Rory

by Louis de Paor

(Cork City Hall 1976)

A million miles away from you

right at the back of the hall

my heart was beating

the drums of my hands;

I hadn’t a note in my head

only the grace-notes you picked

from tangled strings

as the knot in my veins

was undone by your brilliant fingers.

I couldn’t work out

why you kept tinkering

with the end of the tune

while the roar of our applause

rose up under the heels of your hands

that kept my dreams above water

as you walked the angry sea.

Did you really not hear

the tide flooding in behind you,

the waves of pounding feet

that rocked the floor of the City Hall

until it rolled like the deck of a ship,

that will never fill the emptiness

you left behind you on stage?

Can you feel it now,

our swiftfingered brightness,

as the light of heaven

shovels silence on the eyes

of the crowd as they press against the stage,

calling you back from the dark:

Rory

Rory

Rory…

Now can you hear me?

Visit our special Rory Gallagher commemorative section here