WATCH: Dreamy version of The Portlaoise Queen released for Doctors Without Borders

Acclaimed young Laois singer songwriter Kean Kavanagh has released his version of a famed Portlaoise song sprinkled with local namedrops, in aid of medical help in Palestine and Sudan. Full lyrics below. 

"The Portlaoise Queen" is our iconic song in the town, written by Christy Conroy and most famously sung by the Doc Fitz. I remember being 9 years old on the pitch in Newbridge after Portlaoise won the Leinster Final and him up on the podium singing it down at us over the tannoy. That’s that moment captured there in the cover art.

"My father remembers him singing it regularly in their house on the Borris Road after the men came home from the pub. There were so many names and verses that not many were ever able to remember but one or two lines from it; the Jimmy Brown mentioned in verse three would be my great-grandfather so our crew would always give that bit a good rev.

"It was Christy Conroy's 54th anniversary yesterday so I'd like to dedicate his own song to him and I just want to say that I've been so so moved by all the messages I've got from everyone at home and abroad hearing how much the tune means to ye and your memories of it.

"If ye want to do something good today then please buy it on Bandcamp. I'll be donating all of the proceeds to @doctorswithoutborders who are providing vital medical help in Palestine and Sudan," Kean Kavanagh said.

Buy the track for €5 to donate to Doctors Without Borders who are providing vital medical services in Palestine and Sudan. https://keankavanagh.bandcamp.com/tra...

The video was directed by Kean Kavanagh, shot by Eoghan Feane, Kean Kavanagh, Kevin Smith and Anthony O'Connor. The Portlaoise Queen was written by Christy Conroy. Production/Vocals/Guitars/Synths/Arrangement by Kean Kavanagh.  Drums by Finn Mac Anna. Synth Bass by Peter Brien. Mixed by Kean Kavanagh. Mastered by Felix Luis Diment.

Lyrics:

T'was the year of the sunshine, the year of ’54. We said that we’d cross o’er the sea

A bunch of the boys, all natives of the town. We were going on a voyage, you see

We’d a lovely little boat and when ready to float. She was the nicest that e’r was seen

Then Odlum Deegan waved his hand and The brass and reed band Played us to the Portlaoise Queen

We had Big Jack Dunne who arose with the sun Jimmy Aird from the Central Hotel

With lively Larry Ging, like a bird on the wing And Jack Grant, just as sound as a bell

We had Lalor from the bridge Bob Delaney from the ridge Charlie Porter, he came from the green,

And for fearless Attie Hume We didnt make room On the crew of the Portlaoise Queen

Tommy Higgins he supplied all the clothing for the trip Bill Campion gave us ten barrels of stout

Mick Whelan, he threw in a few auld bullocks legs And some rabbits to the mix, no doubt

And as for Jimmy Brown, well, he didn’t let us down With apples and oranges, nice and clean

Billy Dunne was the man With his noble horse and cart That brought them to the Portlaoise Queen

We were nine days at sea and between you and me The boys weren’t pulling too well

Delaney got drunk and said that Lalor was a skunk And sure that started holy hell

They were fighting for a week, till the boat took to leak. But Ging was the man so keen

Steering back through the tide He saved all the lives Of the crew of the Portlaoise Queen

Now I’m back home again, with those courageous men Who braved the mountain tides with foaming cream

Just to keep your mind from troublin’ Our little boat’s in Dublin In a place called the National Museum

So my advice to you is never venture on the blue You might never more be seen

As it wasn’t skill or care, but Mrs Fawn's prayer, That saved us on the Portlaoise Queen.

Follow Kean Kavanagh: Instagram:   / keankavanagh   Bandcamp: https://keankavanagh.bandcamp.com/ TikTok:   / keankavanagh   Facebook:   / kean-kavanagh