A poem In loving memory of the Rev. Father Frawley, the first parish priest of Blantyre.
Falling into bad health and his medical advisors told him he would be better to go the [bolinies] where the change of air would restore him to his former health. He took their advise and in June 1880 he embarked for Australia, but his health little improved and God called him to himself on the 28th day of April 1881. May he rest in peace.
One night when sitting by the fire
In sorrow and dismay,
I thought on all both great and small
From life had passed away.
My thoughts were on a clergy man
Whom all people did admire,
He was the shepherd of our flock
In the Parish of Blantyre.
He was a clever gentleman
So pious, good and kind,
From his early age his vocation was
The priesthood for to join.
He prayed unto our heavenly King
To strengthen his desire,
Ordained to be, poor souls to save
From everlasting fire.
God bless his loving parents
They deserve all praise I'm sure,
To give him up to our church
They were pious good and pure.
He was sent off to college
Where he might there divorce,
All the pleasures of this world
And be a soldier of the cross.
When just a short time in [Formoy]
He was sent over to [Franie],
To the Irish college I'm told
The Bishop for to pass.
His grace did say study well
And I will {soon have} you ordained,
To be a Pastor of our church
The gospel to explain.
Night and day his time was spent
On his both good and true,
His earnest thoughts and glory was
The charge he had in view.
For he was sent by Him above
Our faith for to restore,
That we might be prepared to meet
The death call at our door.
His mission now was to begin
He soon had to embark,
To be assistant priest in Glasgow
In the parish of [Kinning Park].
When a short in that place
He got orders to remove,
To be a [burite now in Airdrie]
His superiors did approve.
His mission there once more began
In pious thoughts and prayer,
He preached unto his congregation
For never to despair.
But pray to our heavenly mother
For she will [interieed],
Unto her son who died for us
Upon the hill of [balvary].
The people all of Blantyre now
Together did combine,
Sent a letter to the Bishop
Stating there their mind.
They thought this parish large enough
To have a school at home,
And a clergyman amongst us
And a chapel of their own.
A dispatch was sent to [Airdrie]
To the Parish Priest in charge,
When he read this letter o'er
Unto his great surprise.
He was to send his [burite] on
Whom his Parish all admired,
To be the guide and head of all
In the Parish of Blantyre.
A place was now erected
And mass was celebrated,
The tyrants chain now was broke,
Our faith was liberated.
A few weeks in joy we moved along
In holiness and grace,
But to our sad misfortune
An explosion then took place.
On the twenty second of October in 1877
The coal mine did explode,
And over two hundred lives were entombed
Within this dark abode.
Night and day he stood close by
His power at once to show,
If any man in life should come
From this dismal mine below.
With assistance of his Parish soon
A building did erect,
It was a chapel-house and school
Which all people respect.
The building yet can be admired
Where the time and thoughts was given,
Of the Rev Father Frawley
Whom I hope now is in heaven.
This dreadful shock had past and gone
His health did fast decline,
With earnest thoughts about his church
Together did combine.
The second explosion was the blow
I believe it was his end,
When he heard more of the Blantyre mine
Had met an untimely end.
From that date his health reduced
He failed day after day,
His medical advisors told him
At once to go away.
Unto some distant country
To have a change of air,
How can I leave my church and people here
I will [die] in despair.
The ocean wide he tossed about
Till three long months was past,
When long expected came in view
The Australian shore at last.
He disembarked without delay
To the chapel there he went,
To serve God now as a priest
In Melbourne he commenced.
His time was come his hour was [nigh]
No improvement seemed to be,
His troubles in this world was near o'er
His soul would soon be free.
On the twenty eighth of April
In eighteen eighty one,
He departed from this world and Blantyre
And his own dear native land.
Now Frawley Frawley is dead and gone
And for his loss we mourn,
Our prayers are requested for his soul
He will never more return.
His dying words I'll tell to you
Upon his bed he cried,
Take me back to Blantyre
Where I have lived so well.
He was [interred] on Australian shore
With all honor and respect,
And when the news arrived to us
There was many people wept.
When they thought he was to come no more
Whom they all so well beloved,
I trust that he may rest in peace
And his soul may shine above.
