RAGLAN ROAD 
(Lyrics Patrick Kavanagh 1946, Music Luke Kelly 1962 from "Dawning of the Day" 1847)

The Dubliners, the Young Dubliners, Van Morrison, Sinéad O'Connor, Mark Knopfler, Billy Bragg, Roger 

Daltrey, Loreena McKennitt, Joan Osborne, Orla Fallon, Tommy Fleming, Nyle Wolfe


On Raglan road on an autumn day,
I saw him first and knew 
That his dark hair would weave a snare 
That i might one day rue. 

I saw the danger and yet i walked 
Along the enchanted way 
And i said let grief be a falling leaf 
At the dawning of the day.

On Grafton street in November, 
We tripped lightly along the ledge
 Of a deep ravine where can be seen
 The worst of passions pledged. 

The queen of hearts still baking tarts 
And I not making hay, 
For I loved too much; 
by such and such Is happiness thrown away. 

I gave he the gifts of the mind. 
I gave he the secret sign 
Thats known to all the artists 
who have Known true gods of sound and time. 

With word and tint i did not stint. 
I gave him reams of poems to say
With his own dark hair and his own name there 
Like the clouds over fields of may.

On a quiet street where old ghosts meet,
 I see him walking now away from me, 
So hurriedly. my reason must allow, 
For i have wooed, not as i should 
A creature made of clay. 

When the angel woos the clay, He'll lose his wings 
At the dawn of the day.






(Contributed by =Ae= - May 2012)