Gerry Anderson. Medicine Man.
By Randall Stephen Hall ©
You Tube video Link: https://youtu.be/bcigFc-pQ8A
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*Black Box photo by Joe Cohen G
I watched Gerry’s documentary about Derry, last Thursday
night on the anniversary of his death. I enjoyed the programme,
its sentiment, depth of meaning and essential detail, whether it was
a parrot that said “fuck” (all the best ones do . . .) or the raw, rumpty-tum
nature of the city.
The blowing curtains and the nature of their veil made stop and put down a few lines. Here is a wee response to it and the man himself . . .
With a warm radio
It was a beautiful thing.
That thing you did so well.
You rang your bell like the clappers.
The choice of that special voice
That would draw you in
From all the chaos and confusion
Of the day.
People might even say
That the medicine you dispensed
From across the Foyle’s counter
Was indispensable
For we depended on it.
Like a regular beating heart.
You did impart yourself
And your thinking.
Allowing us, the great unwashed
Into the rusty tin bath
Beside you and the joy of your sins
Along with Seán, still in shorts
With scuffed knees and cowboy hat.
Buoyant on the air waves.
Your Donegal tick
And your Derry tock.
Your long clock face
With eyes like a fox.
Ever open to the meat of a fresh joke
Jibe or swipe at the pompus
The puffed up and the well feathered.
The leather of your gun belt
And the smoking barrel.
Shooting your mouth off.
Your gun, just for the fun of it.
The energy of it all.
Like a fresh Spring day.
Washed down with Jeyes Fluid
And a sunny fried egg.
Fluid.
That was you Gerry.
With everyone of us soapy sods
Along for the ride.
Don’t leave us now.
Still numb from your silence.
Lovely RSH. A fine solioquy for a very unique creative man .I too , watched Gerry’s special film and was glad to see that he could release his unexpurgated self without the usual sacred cows getting in the way. I enjoyed his radio show writing too,but I especially enjoyed his writing , in particular his book “,Heads”, which was a truer reflection of our inner lost lives here in Norneverland than any hollow-eyed “Troubles” documentary I have ever seen. …proving that there was an inner life beyond the ussuns and themmuns schtick….I was so surprised by his film I didn’t expect it to be as good, really.That was the thing..It’ll surprise many more , because i’m sure it will be repeated.
it’s possibly the best thing he ever did in his life and deserves some kind of artistic award , if only for his hour -long narration. That took some time to write and collate. Better than that was his total honesty…still with those child’s eyes that can never tell a lie. The film is a true artistic statement and a more honest commmentary than anything I have ever seen about this place . it should be shown in schools. Your poem is a fine compliment .
I listened to Gerry’s show as often as I could and always enjoyed it.However ,one thing that I cannot fathom is that given his distaste for the Catholic church,why did he get the “full works” led by a bishop at his funeral.I would disagree with the church on many issues and whilst I would still want a Catholic funeral,there is no way that I would want the pomp and ceremony that Gerry got.
Maybe Gerry didn’t care.Funerals are for those left behind after àll.He might have thought otherwise.I couldn’t care less myself…after all I ll not be there anyway!