Tommy Makem was a mentor to a generation of musicians who owe their life's work to him, his funeral congregation heard in New Hampshire yesterday.
Before a crowded church gathering that included the New Hampshire governor, Irish folk musicians and hundreds of members of the public, Dublin-born musician Eugene Byrne said that he was one of many musicians who took up an instrument after hearing Makem, who "made a wonderful life for all of us".
Mr Byrne, who now lives in Massachusetts, also recited a poem he composed for the funeral.
"He was my friend/He was the music/He was the words /He was the story/He was the song," Mr Byrne said to applause at St Mary's Church in the centre of Dover. He also recalled a customs official welcoming Tommy to the US in the 1950s with the words: "Have a good life."
"Tommy took him at his word," Mr Byrne said, reiterating one of Makem's favourite stories about his life.
Makem's cousin, Tommy Hardiman, told the congregation he was extremely lucky to meet Tommy when he emigrated to Dover from Ireland in 1955 and to also be with him when he died.
He recalled that Tommy was taken into his family and was like a big brother to him, which was a relief because there were so many women in the house.
The offertory procession symbolised Makem's wide range of friends from music, politics and the general public.
The Dover police department carried the American flag to the altar, while folk musician Dave McLean carried the Tricolour.
Makem's cousins, Pat and Charlie Boyle, carried Irish sweaters; former governor and close friend Jeanne Shaheen carried bread; New Hampshire governor John Lynch carried doctoral degrees awarded to Makem around the world.
Makem's songwriting and performing partner Liam Clancy finished the ceremony with a rendition of The Bard of Armagh, a traditional song whose title became a nickname for Makem, who was originally from Keady, Co Armagh.
As the coffin was being led from the church for burial at a cemetery on the other side of Dover, the congregation heard a recording of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem singing The Little Beggarmanwith Makem's mother, Sarah.
Makem's cousin, Pat Boyle, urged the crowd at the back of the church to join in the song, to laughter from the congregation.
A police and fire department escort stopped all traffic at Dover town centre as hundreds followed the coffin in cars and chartered coaches.
A group of women from the Dover Ancient Order of Hibernians Ladies Division, who were draped in Irish tricolour sashes, followed the procession to the grave.
One of Makem's sons, Shane, said that the family had received thousands of letters from around the world and the public tribute had helped the family cope with the loss of their father to cancer.
Local woman Mary Lewis, who was a close friend of Makem, said that history would record Makem's contribution to American history after the nightmare of the Vietnam War.
"Folk music was a response to the horror that was going on all around us and Tommy's calm voice helped to bring people back to their senses," she said. "He was a healer, and that's how he will always be remembered."