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The Longest Journey Home

by Eugene Rea

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Nora Crete
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Nora Crete John and Nora love you and this beautiful song! Favorite track: The Longest Journey Home.
noniethompson
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Song Description
Honest reflection on the bond between father and son, grief and being an immigrant

Story Behind the Song The Longest Journey Home
I am an immigrant in Canada, and my Dad, back in Ireland passed away recently. The song tells of the Journey home to see him one last time, and it's sentiments will appeal to all those who are grieving, but especially to immigrants who are lucky, and at times sad, to have two homes. You never fully leave the old country and always call it home. The term Longest Journey Home has a number of meanings - my trip home, my Dad's trip to the next life, and my trip to my other home - Canada.

lyrics

Lyrics
THE LONGEST JOURNEY HOME

1) I prayed it never happen, though I always knew it would,

The day I got the phone-call, saying things were not too good,

So I packed a bag to travel, My heart, some shirts a comb,

And I headed for the airport, for the Longest Journey Home.


2) In a sea of empty faces, so sad and so alone,


As the hours dragged by so slowly, I thought of both my homes,

I sat and darnk a 'half-un' to the good times that were gone,

And to steel me for the night ahead, on the Longest Journey hom


3) The Mourne Mountains all around, familiar smells of home,

My mother at the doorstep, to bring me to the room,

A shadow of the man I knew, now ghostly pale and wan,

Was waiting for his sons to come, 'fore the Longest journey Home
CHORUS/BRIDGE

4) As the dawn broke o'er the mountains, it was time for me to go,

My childhood home was silent now, save his steady, peaceful snore.

Couldn't bring myself to wake him, though he knew that I was there,

"I live you Dad just one last hug (touch) " for the Longest Journey Home

I know that he's at rest now, but his spirit never died

His turns of phrase, his gentle ways, his laughing bright blue eyes.

Each day I grow more like him, I hear him in my voice.

My tribute to my Dad who's made - the Longest Journey Home

CHORUS/Bridge

For those that never leave, and those that go away;
It doesn't lessen with the years, the feelings still the same.
Your heart will never leave the place where you were born,
And l;ove will help you make, the Longest Journey Home.

credits

released January 30, 2013
Eugene Rea- vocals, guitars, tin whistle, mandolin, tenor banjo, bass, bouzouki
Nonie Thompson- vocals, harmonica
Gary Kreller-accordion

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Eugene Rea Waubaushene, Ontario

Eugene is a life-long 'folkie' in the broadest sense. From hard-hitting Celtic instrumentals, to protest songs, to ballads, to Irish and Scottish traditional and all the way to Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, Paul Brady, Wilco-pretty much any music that is real, that is about real issues, or that reflects the traditions and values of real people. ... more

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