Lyr Req: The Ballad of Father Peter Gilligan

Subject: The Ballad of Father Peter Gilligan
From: GUEST,pazbhan
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 02:44 PM

I have been listening to Ciaran Macmathuna's radio series 'Mo Cheol Thu' on Rte 1. The November 13th podcast starts off with 'The ballad of Father Gilligan' a poem by W B Yeats which is recited by someone that sounds like Doreen Maher. I searched the net but without any luck to see if it's available on record. Does anybody know if I have got the name right?

Subject: ADD: The Ballad of Father Gilligan (Yeats)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 02:58 PM

Haven't seen the recording - but for the record, here's the text of the poem.

Padraic Colum (1881–1972).  Anthology of Irish Verse.  1922.

19. The Ballad of Father Gilligan

By William Butler Yeats

THE old priest, Peter Gilligan, Was weary night and day; For half his flock were in their beds, Or under green sods lay.   Once, while he nodded on a chair,         5 At the moth-hour of eve, Another poor man sent for him, And he began to grieve.   “I have no rest, nor joy, nor peace, For people die and die”;         10 And after cried he, “God forgive! My body spake, not I!”   He knelt, and leaning on the chair He prayed and fell asleep, And the moth-hour went from the fields,         15 And stars began to peep.   They slowly into millions grew, And leaves shook in the wind, And God covered the world with shade, And whispered to mankind.         20   Upon the time of sparrow chirp When the moths come once more, The old priest, Peter Gilligan, Stood upright on the floor.   “Mavrone, mavrone! the man has died,         25 While I slept on the chair.” He roused his horse out of its sleep, And rode with little care.   He rode now as he never rode, By rocky lane and fen;         30 The sick man’s wife opened the door: “Father! you come again.”   “And is the poor man dead?” he cried. “He died an hour ago.” The old priest, Peter Gilligan,         35 In grief swayed to and fro.   “When you were gone, he turned and died As merry as a bird.” The old priest, Peter Gilligan, He knelt him at that word.         40   “He who hath made the night of stars For souls who tire and bleed, Sent one of His great angels down To help me in my need.   “He who is wrapped in purple robes,         45 With planets in His care, Had pity on the least of things Asleep upon a chair.”

Source: http://www.bartleby.com/250/19.html