Raglan Road - Love Affair with a Prostitute by Patrick Kavanagh

Failte, this is my favourite song, its by Patrick Kavanagh. His poetry is famous, among other things, for explaining the power, the Catholic Church had over every aspect of people's lives. This is a love song of a man who fell in love with a prostitute.






Patrick Kavanagh (Irish: Pádraig Caomhánaigh) (21 October 1904 – 30 November 1967) was an Irish poet and novelist. He is regarded as one of the leading poets of the 20th Century, and his best known works include the novel Tarry Flynn and the song On Raglan Road. A song about a love affair with a prostitute. His work can best be described as detailed accounts of rural Irish life and religion in Ireland.








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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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Kavanagh

Joe Cooley

"Tony MacMahon, knowing that Cooley was dying from cancer, arranged this famous recording session in Lahiffe's Bar in Peterswell, County Galway on November 29, 1973. Accompanying Cooley was his brother Jack on bodhran and banjo player Des Mulkere from Crusheen in Co Clare. Joe Cooley died a month later, in St Luke's Hospital, Dublin, on December 20, 1973. This clip is precious to me. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam."

Written by the bannerman for youtube



"There must be more of these around somewhere. The man was a master at emphasizing certain notes which gave him his excellent tempo. He played at a lively tempo, yet not so fast as to destroy the melody."


"Perfect celebratory affirmation of LIFE!"


"What's most interesting to me about this video is the look on the faces of those in the audience, the pure enjoyment they are getting from the music and the performers. It's such a contrast to now. Thanks for posting this insight into a time, a people and their music."


"The obvious love of this music is so strong, that I doubt Mr Cooley would let a little thing like his passing stop him from playing, he rests in peace, but I suspect, not in silence."

Written for bannerman and youtube.

Wherever Irish Music is played Joe Cooley is never far away. He composed great Irish music that is played at most seisuins and his name an essential part of that tradition, still spoken with love among the ordinary people's heritage. - Brian Clarke

BBC CULTURAL CENSORSHIP

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Most of us are aware of the battle between the traditional media and bloggers regarding content which is generally politicized one way or the other. It is about political control and manipulation of public opinion.

Political control of the masses it appears, is now conducted to a large extent, by the media at the behest of huge agencies, with considerable resources. A free press, an important part of a genuine democracy, has been compromised. This is my principal interest in journalism.

My previous involvement in writing articles, of a harmless sporting nature in the BBC, included emails and phone calls from detectives, to desist from contributing, in what was a solely sporting debate. I am aware for quite some time, that British agencies have a particular interest in silencing people like me.

The extent of subtle but considerable censorship of our apparently free press, is to say the least alarming. They can be certain, that I will not continue to be censored in the future, on matters of importance to me.



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The IrishBlog list above when clicked, includes Irish performers such as, Enya, Ron Kavana, Clancys, celtic, Planxty, Christy Moore, Luke Kelly, travellers, Kila, tommy Tiernan, Kathleen Largy, Mary Coughlan and Phil Coulter to name but a few in this particular post.






I've been around trad music for 50 + years but I think this is my favourite song, the pipes solos make it special. Maith go leor !

IrishBlog

Click for List


The IrishBlog list above when clicked, includes Irish performers such as, Enya, Ron Kavana, Clancys, celtic, Planxty, Christy Moore, Luke Kelly, travellers, Kila, tommy Tiernan, Kathleen Largy, Mary Coughlan and Phil Coulter to name but a few in this particular post.







I've been around trad music for 50 + years but I think this is my favourite song, the pipes solos make it special. Maith go leor !