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Friday, 21 May 2010

Raglan Road

This is my choice for 'R'.  There were lots to choose from but my love of poetry won out.
It is a fusion of a much-loved poem by a much-loved poet -  put to music and sung with raw emotion by a fine singer, Luke Kelly -  God rest his soul.  I hope you enjoy it too.

Raglan Road









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. 




Patrick Kavanagh


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6 comments:

  1. Frances21 May 2010 at 18:34

    Oh Cait, that's lovely. And I am breathing a huge sigh of R elief.

    And ... on to S. A much easier letter.

    May I start with ... Summertime?

    xo

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  2. Pondside22 May 2010 at 06:37

    I've lived in a few Canadian cities with Raglan Roads - must have had Irish founders!
    I agree with Frances - is there a better S song than Summertime?

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  3. ds22 May 2010 at 10:23

    Beautiful. I especially love the Celtic flute in the background. Thanks so much for sharing this.

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  4. laurie23 May 2010 at 12:44

    i know this is a patrick kavanaugh poem, but i always hear Van Morrison's voice when i read it, because that is m first knowledge of it--him singing it. so beautiful. thanks for the memory.

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  5. Nan24 May 2010 at 14:20

    I put this up the very first month I began my blog. I love this poem so much, and especially I love Van singing it.

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  6. CAMILLA30 May 2010 at 17:11

    Loved this Cait, wonderful flute playing too. Beautiful Poem Cait.

    xx

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment.