Joseph,

Many thanks for your interpretation. I have just been listening to the Maura O'Connell version (with Dolly Parton!) from this week's Mike Harding R2 show, available online for another few days. The song has always made the hairs on my necj stand. But that is true of much of Jimmy McCarthy's writing. I consider him unfailingly spiritual in his writing and he always seems to me willing to expose his vulnerabilities.

I agree with your assessment - if not, necessarily in detail then certainly in broad terms. Thank you for your thoughtful input.