Jimmy Kennedy was a songwriter who was a native of Omagh, Co Tyrone. He wrote over 2,000 songs of which 50 became all-time popular music classics. Though Kennedy usually wrote the lyrics for existing music he also worked with composers during his career.
Jimmy Kennedy was born in Omagh in 1902. He was educated locally before attending Trinity College Dublin. Following graduation he worked as a teacher in England but in 1925 he joined the Colonial Service. Interested in writing poems and songs from a young age, Kennedy began writing for a music publisher in London.
During his career Kennedy became famous for songs such as ‘Red Sails in the Sunset’, ‘South of the Border’ and Teddy Bears Picnic’. He was the recipient of several awards and received and he received an honorary degree from the University of Ulster. He was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1983. Kennedy was patron of the Castelbar Song Contest from 1973 until he died at the age of 81 on April 6th 1984.
Jimmy Kennedy who wrote the words of songs such as ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’ was born near Omagh Co Tyrone in 1902 On This Day.
If you go down in the woods today
Photo by Helgi Halldórsson/Freddi 
Omagh High Street and Courthouse, pre 1901
Nothing to do with this date but I remember as a kid being confused about a joke that involved a Teddy Bear having no tools. In the joke he was told todays the day the teddy bears have their picks nicked. My classmates though it was great – I had no idea what was supposed to be funny,