|

Poem for Tommy Burns

Daniel McDonagh

Thursday, May 15th, 2008

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Celtic Park stands quiet
While the nets sway in a breeze,
As the spirit of Brother Walfrid
Embraces the faithful’s tears

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Tommy Burns was proud to wear
The famous hoops of green & white.
He battled for his faith and Celtic’s cause,
On the pitch at Paradise.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 A left foot with immaculate talent,
Committed to Celtic on the pitch.
His prayers, as a boy, were answered
When he wore Celtic’s green & white strip.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 Now, as Parkhead mourns the passing
Of a faithful Celtic son,
We will remember in song and story
A Calton bhoy, called Tommy Burns.

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 In the sky over Parkhead
Shall shine bright, a heavenly star,
For the soul of Tommy Burns
Shall live forever at Celtic Park.

Notes

Tommy Burns has died at the age of 51 after losing his long-running battle with cancer.

The club’s first-team coach originally contracted skin cancer in 2006 and although he received treatment, the disease returned in March.

Former Scotland international Burns, who spent 15 years as a player at Parkhead and also managed the club for three seasons, had been undergoing treatment in both Glasgow and France in recent weeks.

A statement from Celtic on their official website said: “It is with great sadness that Celtic Football Club confirmed this morning that Tommy Burns has passed away.

“Tommy, a true Celtic legend and wonderful man will be sadly missed by us all.

“Clearly, our thoughts are very much with Tommy’s wife Rosemary and his family at this extremely difficult time.”

Burns joined Celtic as a teenager in 1973 and went on to play 352 league games for the club, scoring 52 goals, and winning eight Scotland caps.

“Tommy had a fine career and every Celtic supporter and Scottish football fan will have their own special memories of a man whose life was dedicated to his family, to the game of football and in particular to Celtic Football Club.

“Those memories will live on.”

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/poem-for-tommy-burns/