Song for Bagpipes

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For Brendan McArdle who played at the Maze Long Kesh on 20th June, 2007

Finally, for now
This is the Irish place where every single one
Will come
And be, automatically
Equal and completely free

Imagine this
A holy place without the need for
Bankers, schoolmasters or clergymen
To stretch ourselves upon the grass
Grow in the sunshine like glasshouse tomatoes
To sweetly ripen and give up throwing stones

 

There is nowhere like it
The dead centre of everything
Past or passing or to come
The Irish hot-spot where high dreams hang in the air

The wind is throbbing in the reed
Where bleating little harmonies are found
Neat blooms blowing all the air around
Humming in our hearts
In the secret marrow of the great connected dream