The Long Road
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for Manus Doogan


I heard the choirs of all Ireland singing
A light rain was varnishing the land
Love-weary revellers were waltzing
Heart-heard the lowly brassy band


No one knows the answer the air said
No one calls the tune sung by the trees
It isn't what your heart wants they answer
But all your prayers are answered by degrees


There's no talking when the flowers are sun-sad
No talking, stop and hear the stones
It will be the way the gods meander
Whatever way, I will not make a bones


All right the poor man told his daughter
It's all right I'm here now, here for good
Whatever happens now he held her only
You're mine love, alone she understood


It's settled now however wild or wrong-sung
He sent an arrow flying through the air
He didn't know exactly where it landed
But hoped it would not hurt nor cause despair


Yesterday we fought like weary heroes
Swung to tunes no piper ever played
And no one knows but I am full delighted
That this is what for years and years we've prayed

Hay Machine (e)