Jimmy Kennedy was a songwriter who was a native of Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. 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 near Omagh Co Tyrone on July 20th 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 in 1984.
Jimmy Kennedy died at the age of 81 in the year 1984 On This Day.
If you go down to the woods today
Teddy Bears picnic