On Raglan Road

Posted by BrokenSilence | Filed under The Dubliners

One of my favorite genres of music has always been Irish Folk music. I’m not exactly sure what I love about it. I think that it’s very nostalgic, old, reminds one of times past, has a tinge of sadness and introspection to it. It’s an area of music that I’d like to explore more. I watched ‘In Bruges’ the other day, a movie I’ve been wanting to see for over a year and a half and finally got to. I quite liked it and in one of the scenes towards the end they used the song ‘On Raglan Road’ by The Dubliners. It went really well with the scene. ‘On Raglan Road’ is an Irish song created from a poem by Irish poet, Patrick Kavanagh, entitled ‘Dark Haired Miriam Ran Away’. Many have covered it, most famously Luke Kelly of The Dubliners. Amazing song.

The Dubliners - On Raglan Road

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Permalink | November 10th, 2009

6 Responses to “On Raglan Road”

  1. R Frederick Says:
    November 11th, 2009 at

    I think its the deep sadness with the promise of joy that is most attractive about Irish Folk. That nation has seen so much sorrow and hurt in its history. That speaks to me and so does the Underlying joy, that is sometimes only a hope or a promise.

  2. Jon Says:
    November 11th, 2009 at

    Good call on this one — great song, great movie!

  3. Alan S Says:
    November 12th, 2009 at

    Another - maybe more “modern” - version of the song is Sinead O’Connor’s (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/687028/05%20On%20Raglan%20Road.mp3).

    RTE (Ireland’s public radio & tv) has an extensive site on Kavanagh, with a lot of archive material including an interview with the “Miriam” who inspired the poem.

    As I recollect growing up in Dublin in the 60’s, Kavanagh wasn’t much regarded. It may be he was seen as an unwelcome reminder of a less prosperous time and place, but it seems that his reputation has risen since then. To the extent that he’s become part of the ubiquitous Irish cultural marketing effort, celebrated by a (to my mind) hideous statute on the canal bank where he liked to sit. http://irelandposters.com/dublin/images/dublin_grand_canal_photo.jpg.

    I recall my Mum, who was a young student in Dublin in the fifties, telling me of the eccentric Kavanagh she often saw, sitting on the bench, deep in thought, with his pyjama trousers visible below his overcoat (details not reflected in the statue!).

  4. BrokenSilence Says:
    November 15th, 2009 at

    thanks. that insight is always appreciated.

  5. Payton Says:
    December 20th, 2009 at

    Thanks for this. I was just watching In Bruges, heard the song, and checked The Hype Machine for it. So here I am, delighted to see that that scene drove you to post about the song.

    I’ve always wanted to really get into Irish folk music - or better yet… find a contemporary band making Irish folk music. Kinda like an Irish Old Crow Medicine Show.

  6. The Rocky Road To Dublin Says:
    February 1st, 2010 at

    [...] nostalgic, sad and beautiful about it. As one of the readers of this blog wrote when I posted ‘On Raglan Road’ by The Dubliners, ‘It’s the deep sadness with the promise of joy that is most [...]

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