IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE OF THE LATE MR. JAMES ERWIN
BALLYCLOSE
CULLYBACKEY

Who departed this life January 20th 1910 Aged 15 years

“In the midst of life we are in death”

Ah, yes, how true those solemn words,
How real now appear,
Since in youth and health and strength
Death may be very near.

As in the case of our young friend
We knew and loved so well,
Whose demise makes us feel so sad
No tongue nor pen can tell.

We knew him at our famous schools,
Intelligent and bright,
A quiet, honest, civil lad
Who tried to do the right.

We knew him well as day or night
We had him as a mate,
And worked together some short years
In “Maine Works,” now so great.

An inoffensive, good young man,
Social, shrewd and kind,
Whose sudden call should warn us all
And still remain behind.

A stalwart youth, with rosy hopes,
So his ambitions ran,
That in the fine R.I.C. force
He’d nobly play the man.

But God did not permit it thus,
For why we cannot tell,
He rules supreme as Sovereign Lord,
And doeth all things well.

The Murray Club Apprentice Boys
Will miss young brother “Jim,”
Also the Workers’ Union shall
Think much regarding him.

The Orange Order at Galgorm
Loses a loyal son,
Transferr’d to the Celestial Lodge
To hear those words, “Well done.”

The broken cords, the severed ties,
Which cause his loved on pain,
Shall all be found together soon
Never to part again.

‘Tis true in our most lively times
Disease and death is rife,
‘Tis also true in midst of death
We have eternal life.

Adam Lynn, Cullybackey, 5th February 1910