On Raglan Road
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.
Reader Comments
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.
Good call on this one — great song, great movie!
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!).
thanks. that insight is always appreciated.
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.