The Ardoyne Bonfires

By mcscraic

Wed, 09 Dec 2020
  • 893 reads
2 comments
 

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The Ardoyne Bonfires
By Paul McCann

Lower on down the mountain, up around the bend ,
Beyond Glencurran’s stream you’ll find the Ardoyne men ,
Chopping down chestnut trees for August bonfire night ,
when all around the streets bonfires will be alight .
Up around the bend near Harmony Hill you’ll find ,
Ardoyne men pulling ropes with Irish Oaks behind .
Down into the village with blisters on their hand,
Ardoyne men bursting with pride for old Ireland .
Higher up the mountain near Divis Peak you’ll see,
Ardoyne men with axes lopping down an Elm tree.
Then as they roll it down to the foot of the hill ,
They all stand around for a moment until
They have summoned up the strength to lift the Elm tree
And then carry it down for all Ardoyne to see.
Build up the bonfire on that blessed August night,
Keep a steady vigil before its set alight .
 
Certificate U
Poem
poemsbypaulmccann
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Comments

Submitted by lenchenelf on

There is an air of sadness to this; in their nostalgic pride they burn the elders of their land?

Thought provoking stuff

 best

Lxx

 

Submitted by mcscraic on

Thank you so much Lenchenelf ,

Yes similar events in history throught Ireland , in the mists of time when fires were burnt around the country before the harvest ward of evil spirits , A kinf of communal gathering in modern Ireland wherre people feel connected to each other around the fire . 

There is a kind of sadness in paganistic ritual as well as in Christian belief.

 

Kind reagrds

Paul