He was a poor orphan nobody reared,
Johnny just reared himself
Johnny self-reared grew big and strong
Jolly and kind and bold
In his eye a smile, on his lips a song
In his bosom a heart of gold.
In search of his home ideal, he
Followed his guiding star
Over the hills and over the sea,
He travelled far and far.

He climbed high hill, crossed many steams
He roamed as seekers roam
And sailed on many seas
But seldom came back, except in dreams
To the house, his childhood home.

To the Crocknagulpa trees
I believe his ideal home was not
This side of heaven’s shore.
And I feel he has found the land he sought
For he writes back no more.

Johnny was a first cousin of granda Bard’s. Granda’s mother and Johnny’s mother were two sisters.  His mother died we think in childbirth when her daughter Maggie was born.  Maggie was reared in Foremass along with granda and his family. Maggie’s married name was Tierney and she lived in Shane. Johnny’s family were known as ‘Mullin’s of the bushes’ – Crocknagulpa – Shane Road.  He died on his way back from Australia in Calafornia in the 1920’s or 30’s and is buried there.  He did write to granda about his travels and in one letter described coming into San Francisco harbour and the Golden Gate.  His brother Patrick emigrated to New York and died and is buried there.