American Idyll

yes, the river knows

Sunday, February 28, 2021

We Tripped Lightly Along The Ledge

Sinead O' Connor: On Raglan Road

On Raglan Road on an autumn day I saw 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.
Van Morrison / Chieftains: On Raglan Road

I gave her the 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 dark hair like clouds over fields of May.
Peter Rowan: On Raglan Road

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
Luke Kelly: On Raglan Road

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