On Raglan Road / Patrick Kavanagh

On Raglan Road - A poem by Patrick Kavanagh sung to the air of " The Dawning of the Day " ( Fainne Geal an Lae )

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 baking 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.

Patrick Kavanagh

These are the words to the poem, as far as I've been able to determine by referring to library records, as opposed to the Van Morrison version, a slightly altered one, used on the album "Van Morrison and the Chieftains ", which is indeed a great album.

Oliver Tennyson, http://www.olivertennyson.ie/, has recently completed a series of paintings based on the life and work of Patrick Kavanagh. A limited edition of 250 prints of Raglan Road are available at 75 Euros each, if you, or anyone you know, would like to purchase one. Oliver can be reached at olivertennyson@yahoo.co.uk or Tel.: 046 9025290 (International: 00353 46 9025290)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Patrick Kavanagh
• Irish Poetry
• The Dawning of the Day
• Oliver Tennyson
• Luke Kelly
• The Dubliners

[NakedBatBoy]

What an amazing cover. Really beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

[cuchaia]

@NakedBatBoy Thanks NBB ! Brane-Power to the Rescue ! Hi Ho Silver ! Away !

[cuchaia]

@NakedBatBoy Thanks NBB !

[jurijmlotman]

collecting the good versions of Raglan Road since a year or so, just found yours: very nicely done, indeed!

[cuchaia]

@jurijmlotman cool

[garagepr0ductions]

unbelievably good! You helped this Canadian boy reach out and touch his roots.

[cuchaia]

@garagepr0ductions cool... go brane-power

[TheFineartiste]

A gorgeous rendition - more sensitive and beautiful than even Van the Man.

Who are you? Have you recorded anything? If not, you must...bravo sir...

[houseconcerts]

@auditor05 yes, music has a way of bringing us to different places...thanks for sharing that with me.... all the best, se

[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.

[Maqsudd]

ive enjoyed your manner and kind presentation. Peace to you.