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ALWAYS THERE FATHER TED
This song is a tribute to a long-time friend Fr. Ted Kennedy (1931-2005), who was a big presence in my life, and in the lives of many many others.
I first met Ted in 1966 when he was chaplain at Sydney University. He heard a couple of songs I'd written and encouraged me to have a go at writing some folk-hymns. That was the year I wrote 'Fill My House' , 'The Beatitudes', ‘Born Anew’ and several other songs.
When I sing 'Fill My House', I always dedicate it to Ted, remembering how, at a turning point in my life, he offered accommodation in his chaplain's house at the gates of St. John's College in Sydney. That little house was always full.
From 1971, for more than 30 years, Ted was priest in the inner-Sydney Parish of St. Vincent's Redfern. He became a great friend and advocate for the ‘koories’ - Aboriginal people who always felt welcome at St. Vincent's. Progressive Catholics came from all over Sydney to be part of the St. Vincent’s Parish community.
In 1984, I wrote a set of songs Turn It All Around (Songs for Peace and Justice), inspired by Redfern. Over the years, many of my songs were suggested or influenced by Ted, through his conversation and example.
'Always There Father Ted' is included on my CD-album 'A Gift of Song'
I wrote it in the year following Ted's death in 2005 and sang it for the first time in St. Brigid's Hall Marrickville, just across the road from his childhood home.
lyrics
FATHER TED
There were many many ways to know you
This song will only name a few
There were many ways to know you old friend.
In the days when I first saw you I put you on a higher plane
But you saw me and claimed me as a friend.
Father Ted. Father Ted. Our old friend, Father Ted.
And you claimed so many by your vision and your care.
You were always there Father Ted.
There were many many ways to see you
You were generous on every side
And you always burned your candles at both ends.
In the days when I first met you I was a guilty Catholic boy
But you laughed and helped me see some rules should bend.
Father Ted. Father Ted. Our old friend, Father Ted.
And you freed so many by your vision and your care.
You were always there Father Ted.
And ‘Father Ted’ - the Koories always called you by that name.
You were softened by their culture and angry for their pain.
And you mourned - so many died too young, year after year
But you still stayed near, Father Ted.
There were many many came to hear you
You were not afraid to speak your mind
There were many ways to hear you old friend
As your voice boomed out the chorus of a favourite Irish song
Or when you spoke the scriptures fresh each year again.
Father Ted. Father Ted. Our old friend, Father Ted.
And you taught so many by your vision and your care.
You were always there Father Ted.
And ‘Father Ted’ - the Koories always called you by that name
You were softened by their culture and angry for their pain
And you mourned - so many died too young, year after year
But you still stayed near, Father Ted.
There are many many ways to hold you
Though we’re missing your familiar calls
There are many ways to hold you, old friend.
We can take a light from your light,
Make friends of the friends you made
And even burn that candle at both ends.
Father Ted. Father Ted. Our old friend, Father Ted.
And our lives are the larger for your vision and your care.
You will always be there, Father Ted.
And our hearts are the larger for your vision and your care.
You will always be there, Father Ted.
Words & music by Peter Kearney
credits
released November 8, 2019
RECORDING: The Little Portion Studio, Welby NSW.
Produced, engineered and mixed by Peter Kearney
Piano & Synthsiser - KEVIN HUNT
Voice and Guitar - Peter Kearney
RELATED RESOURCES available through Peter's Online Store:
1. PDF MUSIC for 'Always There Father Ted': peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/566464
2. AUDIO-CD / 'A GIFT OF SONG' is the album containing 'Always There Father Ted'. The audio-CD is available here: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356137
3. CD-ROM / A GIFT OF SONG - Music, lyrics, chords, background notes etc for whole album, including 'Always There Father Ted'. Available here: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/553819
Peter Kearney is an Australian songwriter and singer. His early folk-hymns 'Fill My House' & 'The Beatitudes' are
internationally known. He has written many other songs of justice and peace, songs for children, and a musical-narrative on St. Francis of Assisi. His published recordings include 153 original songs.
LINKS BELOW are for Peter's:
- Website
- Online store
- Facebook Artist Page....more
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