THE OLD BALLON SCHOOL

I remember the old school in Ballon long ago
where I and my Brothers and Sisters did go
we'd walk to school each morning at eight
through hail and snow we would never be late

As we reached the school gate at the break of day
we would hear the children in the school yard at play
we could smell the coal burning in the little school stoves
as the smoke from the fire up the chimney it rose

The old Ballon school stood rugged and tall
and the play ground was divided by a big granite wall
the boys were at one side and the girls were at the other
and we weren't allowed to mix with each other

The games that we played I remember them all
marbles and tig and gaelic football
and at the side of the school by the gable end wall
the boys gathered round andplayed handball

As we entered the classroom I remember quite well
where we learned to read to write and to spell
The little school desks were lined up in rows
and up along steps to the back they rose

Mrs Kelly our teacher was strict and firm
as she learned us our lessons through each school term
The headmaster Jim Morris, stood at least six foot tall
and he loved teaching music and gaelic football

Miss Nolan and Mrs McArdle taught the girls with care
Dedicated to their teaching a hard working pair
They made the girls work hard all through the school day
and guided them along in their own special way

I remember the family's that went there
and all the friends that we met
Those days are long gone forever
but their names I will never forget

There was Murphy's Kealy's and Morans
there was Brennan's Maher's and Doran's
There was Barry's and Byrne's Canavan's and Jordan's
and from Carrigslaney came the Nolan's

Memories we have of our school days
Remain still fresh in our mind
Boys calling names and girls playing games
and friends were not hard to find

The old Ballon school is still standing
As it did in day's of yore
Our friends have all grown now and scattered
and some we'll see never more

written by David Brennan
Katie Brennan

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