luke kelly on raglan road patrick kavanagh

On Raglan Road on an autumn day I met her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue;
I saw the danger, yet I walked along the enchanted way,
And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day.

On Grafton Street in November we tripped lightly along the ledge
Of the deep ravine where can be seen the worth of passion's pledge,
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts and I not making hay -
O I loved too much and by such and such is happiness thrown away.

I gave her gifts of the mind I gave her the secret sign that's known
To the artists who have known the true gods of sound and stone
And word and tint. I did not stint for I gave her poems to say.
With her own name there and her own dark hair like clouds over fields of May

On a quiet street where old ghosts meet I see her walking now
Away from me so hurriedly my reason must allow
That I had wooed not as I should a creature made of clay -
When the angel woos the clay he'd lose his wings at the dawn of day.


Kavanagh was drinking with Luke Kelly in the Bailey in Dublin and was asked to recite a poem, Raglan Road. He did and turned to Luke and said 'I have a song for you, you should sing Raglan Road' (in Lukes own words) . And so he did

• Category

  Music

[auditor05]

Several years ago when I first heard this song on a Chieftains album, I was searching my mind for where I heard this before...having not previously heard a recording. I finally deferred to my Mother and asked if Daddy had ever sung "Raglan Road." At 80+ years old, my Mother replied "your Father stood in the kitchen doorway and sang this after your sister's wedding (1971). Each time I listen to this song, it gives me chills, smiles and fond memories of my Dad even to this day.

[Britzilius]

This is the only version of this song that should exist.

[mario moratti]

WOW 

[vee ryel]

love the joan osborne version, Van does an interesting take too

[channelnw]

This song sums up everything I love about my country. Tears in my eyes.

[johan philip Juckers]

Er staat een foto in dit filmpje van die vervelende nep Luke Kelly Black and White picture is not Luke!!!!!

[billybob thornton]

Lovely story.

[Terri Leek]

Wow....

[pageperpage]

...me too, one of the best scenes in the movie when ken crawled back up the tower, dropped the pennies before jumping. great, great movie.

[Ashley K]

It's PK not C

[michael ramey]

whoever dislikes this can suck it