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Flying Home (for Tom Clancy)

Written in memory of Tom Clancy (1923-1990), founding member of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.

Words and Music © 1990 by Karen I. Olsen.

*****

When people of goodwill walk the Earth and sing their songs,
A friendly light comes through them,
And they help to pass it on.
And a throng of sad and lonely folk
Lights up and sings along,
And your sense of being welcome lasts a while when they have gone.

You were never quite prepared for the glory and acclaim;
But a light was working through you,
You were open to its plan.
Your strong voice, words and melodies
And stories brought you fame;
But just what drew people toward you,
You might never understand.

But in war and peace and singing crowds,
You lived to tell the tale
That with spirit and with fellowship,
Your dreams could never fail.
And now you're flying home,
Like you did when war was done,
In full voice, keeping company with the sun.

I knew you were an actor,
Though but once you crossed my sight,
Taking on the names of those who strive
For the freedom in their minds.
And when I gave my voice to your refrain,
My spirit joined your fight,
As if you had a quest to lead,
And a thousand voices close behind.

Your battle cry was not lost on me;
I have visions of my own.
And I've a heavy fight before me;
I will need much urging on.
Where is the call for courage now
That I'll remember when alone?
Where is the life force of your eyes--
Can I find it once you're gone?

But in war and peace and singing crowds,
You lived to tell the tale
That with spirit and with fellowship,
Our dreams can never fail.
And now you're flying home,
Like you did when war was done,
In full voice, keeping company with the sun.

The world has so much fear and rage,
And I feel no welcome now.
Have I learned your skill with harmony;
Will my light draw friends around?
The sacred sites we gathered in
Have a haunted look, somehow--
They await another friendly soul
To bring the light back to the ground.

For when people of goodwill walk the Earth and sing their songs,
A friendly light comes through them,
And they help to pass it on.
And a throng of sad and lonely folk
Lights up and sings along,
And your sense of being welcome lasts a while when they have gone.

But in war and peace and singing crowds,
You have lived to tell the tale
That with spirit and with unity,
My dreams can never fail.
But now you're flying home,
Like you did when war was done,
In full voice, keeping company with the sun.

And now you're flying home,
Like you did when war was done,
In full voice, keeping company with the sun.
In full voice, keeping company with the sun.

*****

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