“Glenfarne’s Hidden Treasure – The Bard from Barrs” is a sample of twelve poems that have been recorded on CD by the late John James Hudie. John James was born and reared on the side of Barrs Mountain in 1922 in the townland of West Barrs. He had been writing poems since 1940. He would write about happenings in Glenfarne and surrounding areas. He would also write about events that occurred around Ireland and on the world stage. One of John James’s most famous poems was a poem about John F Kennedy, President of the United States of America. John James sent this poem to the Kennedy family when the president was assassinated and he received a thank you letter from Kennedy’s wife Jackie.

John James died in October 2002 the same week his CD of poems was launched.

Click the play button below to hear John James’ recitation of his tribute to John F Kennedy.

04 John F Kennedy (Assasination) by Rainbow Ballroom

John F Kennedy by John James Hudie

The air is filled with sadness since that dark November day
When John Fitzgerald Kennedy from Earth was called away
Tragic was the ending for this hero of renowned
An assassin’s bullet claimed him in well-known Dallas Town

His loving wife and children have mankind’s sympathy
Where the angels guard forever the soul of Jack Kennedy
The news when flashed around the world brought anger and despair
How to define this senseless crime, no-one on Earth could say

A light of hope extinguished that shone bright above the rest
A champion of all freemen, a leader of The West
A task of his successor a hard one it will be
To finish what was started by John F Kennedy

As first citizen of his country his reign had just begun
His handling of a crisis had migration far and one
Russian missiles based in Cuba at Americas backdoor
Meant danger from the Atlantic to the great Pacific shore

The presences of these missiles are a threat to all that’s free
Take them back to Russia ordered the brave Jack Kennedy
Tension gripped both East and West as threat a war did ring
No-one would tell what lay in store for another dawn would bring

The Kremlin said “Our ships go through despite the West blockade”
Full steam ahead for Cuba our threats were not afraid
While America sounds the rally to defend her liberty.
Every man was proud to stand behind Jack Kennedy

In a silent grave in Arlington this hero lies at rest
This man is gone his name lives on immortal with the best
What he achieved in life’s short time forgotten cannot be
As in vain we seek an equal for John F Kennedy.