Kildare student's visit to Dublin inspired her to write song about homelessness
A November trip to Dublin where she saw the extent of the homelessness crisis inspired Martha Perris to pen a song and to take action.
Martha wrote the song ‘Half the Irish’ after speaking briefly to a homeless lady in Dublin in November.
She then approached Scoil Mhuire Clane Community School Chaplain Mr. Kavanagh about doing a fundraiser for the Peter McVerry Trust.
Fr. Peter McVerry has been a guest speaker on Scoil Mhuire's 6th yr Religion Programme since 1990 and the school has a strong connection with him.
On Wednesday this week Martha performed her song at the Scoil Mhuire Senior Carol Service in Clane Parish Church.
Fr. Peter was delighted to hear the song and Martha then made a presentation to the Peter Mc Verry Trust from the 6th year student body.
Martha hopes to study music in college after her Leaving Certificate exams next year.
HALF THE IRISH
by Marth Perris 6th year
Walk across the Ha’penny
Early December
Nice of you to acknowledge me
Although my cup is empty
My glass is three quarters full
Cause your simple smile made me feel a little less invisible
Strolling down Grafton
Buskers galore
We’re all trying to make a few bob
Cause the tiger's here no more
I hear the American accents
Taking pictures with Molly Malone
They all claim to be Irish but half the Irish don’t have a home
I see the sun setting off the spire
I know I won’t sleep tonight
But there’s something I’d like for Christmas
Just a little bit of light
Heading across temple bar
Found a step for a bed
It’s not much more than a cobble but it’s somewhere to rest my head
And the cold is getting violent
Soaking into my bones
Feel the gates beginning to open
I’m on my way
On my way to what I think is
I see American tourists outside the GPO they’re all wishing they were Irish but not the Irish without a home
I see the buses on the quays
To the brim with passengers with lives they’re probably wondering what’s for dinner while I’m scheming to stay alive
They all claim to be Irish but half the Irish don’t have a home.