Shane MacGowan - An Irish Airman Forsees His Death (Yeats)

I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight I do not hate,
Those that I guard I do not love;
My country is Kiltartan Cross,
My countrymen Kiltartan's poor,
No likely end could bring them loss
Or leave them happier than before.
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balanced all, brought all to mind,
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Shane
• MacGowan
• The
• Pogues
• William
• Butler
• Yeats
• W.B.
• Now
• In
• Time
• To
• Be

[jcmangan]

I have a shamefull love for the terrible beauty of this man, but i have a cheerful love for this drunken poet, Shane.

So, i like both.

No matter what for i am german and never touched those shores.

But I consider William and Shane as irish men the most.

But salami is not that bad either.

[barakaldo55]

Great!!! In other words: ¡Acojonante!

[iancoheekelsey]

About a world war one pilot, yeah?

[211FairyTale]

ooh, it's only Shane can deliver it like that, hits you in the gut, that voice!!! this is profound

[ChimeraAZ]

I enjoyed listening to Shane reading this poem,honestly,and if you dont like it,well,..np.Its not up to any one of us to forgive Shane,or judge him for a life he has clearly enjoyed.He'll be one of those who skid into his grave sideways,all used up and emptied,and leave a withered,wasted corpse.But,..he'll be smiling,having lived his life the only way he knows,..his own.God bless you,Shane,and live long,for us,your fans.

[loveadelaide]

First sentence is brilliant.

[loveadelaide]

@jcmangan Brilliant!!!

[Vraadrik]

I think with Shane McGowan piloting my aircraft I'd be foreseeing my own death pretty well too.

[LadyFullMoon71]

@punkrockpatti

What ever gave you the idea I was being ugly to Shane? Re-read the post. I own every CD from the Pogues to the Popes, and love his voice. Oh, and I HAVE done much that is bold, including fighting my own addiction AND living through being a young widow. What have you done? Oh, and Patti Smith spat on me in a club back in the old days. It's not like I don't get this stuff. WTF is wrong with you?

[punkrockpatti]

@LadyFullMoon71

ummmmmmmmmmmm

that REALLY big of you

WTF have you ever done that equalled the leasy of Shane?

[punkrockpatti]

yeah

thats big of youi

WTF did you ever ever do as bold as he?

[punkrockpatti]

@LadyFullMoon71

yeah

thats big of youi

WTF did you ever ever do as bold as he/