The Time Has Come
C. Moore and D. Lunny
The time has come to part my love, and I must go away.
I'll leave you now my darling girl
No longer can I stay
My heart like yours is breaking
Together we'll prove strong
The road I take will show the world the suffering that goes on.
The gentle clasp that holds my hand must loosen and let go
Please help me through the door
But instinct tells you no
Our vow it is eternal
And will bring you dreadful pain
But if our demands aren't recognised, don't call me back again.
How their sorrow touched us all in those final days
When it was time she held the door, and touched his sallow face.
The flame he lit while leaving, is still burning strong
And by the light its plain to see the suffering still goes on
The time has come to part my love, and I must go away.
I'll leave you now my darling girl, no longer can I stay.
This song was written about Patsy O Hara, who died on hunger strike in Long Kesh Prison Camp in 1981. It is about Patsys girlfriend, who travelled up from Dublin shortly before he passed away. Patsy was very weak and he would take one breath every 15 minutes before he eventually passed away. Christy wrote the song with this in mind.
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