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RAGLAN ROAD
[written by Patrick Kavanagh, 1946
This song was recorded and popularized by the great Luke Kelly of the Dubliners
in the 1960s. The words, written by Paddy Kavanagh, were set to the traditional
air 'Fainne Gael an Lae' (The Dawning of the Day). This poem was first published
in 1946 under the name 'Dark haired Myriam ran away'.]


On Raglan Road of an Autumn day
I saw her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare
That I might someday rue
I saw the danger and I passed
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 a deep ravine where can be seen
The worth of passion play
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts
And I not making hay
Oh, 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 signs
That's known to the artists who have known
The true gods of sound and stone
And her words and tint without stint
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
And away from me so hurriedly
My reason must allow
That I had loved, not as I should
A creature made of clay
When the angel woos the clay, he'll lose
His wings at the dawn of day


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