I return to this lovely thread with a deep sense of loss for the many voices here who shared deep sensibilities and energetic research, flights of opinion and a sense of awe for the beauties that are all rolled up in Paddy Kavanagh and his song, the historical tidbits, the fine analysis, and all the rest--all exchanged in courtesy and civil respect for views alike or different.

By sorry contrast, the range of insult and vituperation which colors so many of our threads modernly is a great embarrassment, and brings pangs of regret for the loss of this kind of brilliant Mudcat discourse.

As to the song, this thread has single-handedly converted me to a lover of it, and I will study it up in the hopes of being able to do a decent rendition of it, these many miles and years away from its source.

A