Pat Pomphrett

The Old Piano

It stood upright by the wall of the outhouse, its beauty faded by the elements, except for one lovely design on the upper panel. The keys that once made music now riddled with woodworm, yet when touched again by hand it seemed to come to life as if some long silence was being reawakened. Its strings, holding on to the iron frame, now rusty and dusty for want of a little care. Inspired by a love of music, I couldn't resist the temptation to ask the owner if he would sell it. He very kindly let me have it, to see what I could do with it. Needless to say, I was overjoyed. With the help of my neighbours, I brought it home and was told it was second childhood made me do so, with a few hearty laughs thrown in.

Determined to make it playable again, I took it apart bit by bit, taking great care not to lose any item I might find it hard to get if I needed same. In my spare time and with every touch, I became more interested in, and fascinated by the way pianos are made. Starting with the keys, and there are eighty five, I was guided either by instinct or inspiration to number every one. Had I not done so, I would have to call in the experts or else forget it. The case was perfect except for patched of damaged veneer. I had no problem with that. It peeled off easily. The undamaged was impossible to get off completely.

The local dealer helped me with small items. I am grateful to Mr. Killeen of Cork for twenty five sharps which he kindly delivered to me at the Elm Tree Garden Centre. I made washers out of pieces of old carpet which I used under the keys. I had to redo those with white plastic. One day an old friend called as I was repairing it and said, "It is God's gift to you". As long as I live I will remember those words. They gave me the courage to continue to do something I was untrained to do. That gentleman was Liam Dowling of Castlemartyr and Cork who distinguished himself hurling for club and county in the forties and fifties. At that time, he was recuperating from a serious illness. Alas, kindness and prayer failed against a dreaded disease. He lost his fight and passed away the following year. May he rest in peace.

My treatment of that old piano ended on my birthday in 1994. It shines again and has given me much pleasure playing it.

Since I repaired that piano I have composed the music to three songs I have written . Two have been sung by my grandniece Geraldine Landers of Garrymore, Killeagh, and her musical friend, Mrs Mary Daly of Killeagh, at our Senior Citizens dinner in Garryvoe Hotel last December. I would like to congratulate both on a splendid performance which was much talked about for a long time after. I have those songs on tape and hope to add more in the near future.

 

To the Old Piano
The little house beside the road
The piano standing there
My love of music made me ask
And I did that repair.
I stripped it naked to the frame
And made but one mistake
It shines again, 'though not the same
And still good music make.

Pat Pomphrett, 2003

 

Pat has gone on to produce a CD featuring some of his own compositions. Modern technology clearly holds no fear for this octogenarian who's eye is firmly on future projects so we haven't seen the last from this singer /songwriter / poet yet.

Well done Pat.

 

 

Listen to Pat's song "The Light of the World" as sung by Geraldine Landers