Daniel McDonagh - untitled (Celtic) poem

Have you ever been to Parkhead
Have you sang a Rebel song
Waved the flag of Ireland defiantly
In the face of Williams’ Orange sons.

Have you read of Ireland’s history
Have you heard of our forefathers woes
Do you understand Brother Walfrid’s mission
When he came to the east end of Glasgow.

Have you ever left a Celtic Pub
On a rainy Glasgow night
And staggered along the Gallowgate
Praising the martyrs who died in Ireland’s fight.

Have you ever traveled the Paisley Road
After watching the Celtic play at Ibrox Park,
Were your bus was attacked, windows smashed,
By those who drank in the District Bar.

Did you ever walk the streets of Coatbridge
Walking alongside a Hibernian band,
And celebrate your heritage and culture
In the Calton, Gorbals and the Garngad.

Did you ever buy ‘An Phoblacht’
Before entering the turnstiles at Paradise,
And read of the ’81 Hunger Strike
That claimed ten young men’s lives.

Do you remember standing in the Jungle
The heart and soul of Celtic Park,
We sang ‘Sean South’ and the ‘Soldiers Song’
Without the fear of being charged.

Dec’12th 2006

Daniel McDonagh

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