Coming down from Downpatrick
Stopping off at St. John's Point
Out all day birdwatching
And the craic was good
Stopped off at Strangford Lough
Early in the morning
Drove through Shrigley taking pictures
And on to Killyleagh
Stopped off for Sunday papers at the Lecale District,
Just before Coney Island
On and on, over the hill to Ardglass
In the jam jar, autumn sunshine, magnificent
And all shining through
Stop off at Ardglass for a couple of jars of Mussels and some potted herrings in case
We get famished before dinner
On and on, over the hill and the craic is good
Heading towards Coney Island
I look at the side of your face as the sunlight comes
Streaming through the window in the autumn sunshine
And all the time going to Coney Island I'm thinking,
Wouldn't it be great if it was like this all the time.
I can't remember when Roger and I first heard this song by Van Morrison, but we've been listening to it for many years. We learned that the word "craic" means news, gossip, fun, and enjoyable conversation. Yes, when we we're out the craic is good. The last lines always move me.
I seem to have known Van's music all my life - since I was 11 or so anyway. I've heard this track before though I don't think I ever listened to it closely before. It creates a wonderful vibe.
ReplyDeleteSome listeners might like to know that "jam jar" is just Cockney rhyming slang for "car". How Morrison picked it up in N Ireland I don't know.
John-- Yes, Van Morrison's music has been a part of our lives for so many years. This spoken-word song is so interesting with the very beautiful music. I love the explanation for "jam jar"-- Thank you for that.
DeleteHe looks very British in that flat hat, my Dad used to wear one though I prefer a baseball hat of beany. For some reason when I say Cony Island I though Dr Feelgood by the came from Canvy Island. Litened to a lot of Van on some of my long drives to motor raceing circits when I was young.(I helped out as a mechanic)
ReplyDeleteBilly-- Roger used to wear a baseball cap for many years. A couple of months ago he decided to get one of these flat hats. He does look very British in it.
DeleteWorking on the ponytail again?
ReplyDeletePaul-- This photo was taken a few weeks ago. Roger's ponytail is much shorter now.
DeleteI know what you mean about that side view in the car. A beloved and intimately understood profile.
ReplyDelete37paddington-- I thought about doing a montage of all the side view photos I have taken of Roger. It is a beloved and intimately understood profile. Yes, thank you for that.
DeleteGreat post when you put the song and Roger's photo together. I have never heard that song that I know of so now I'll be looking for it.
ReplyDeleteRed-- Those last lines of the song always call to me when I think of Roger driving us on all of our adventures.
DeleteFirst time I've heard this poetic song. Thanks. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBarbara-- So glad you liked it.
DeleteThis was new to me but very enjoyable. Yes, it should be like this all the time and no reason it can't be.
ReplyDeletePatti-- It is a song that Van Morrison wrote about his time as a young boy with his mother. It's quite a moving song of love.
DeleteI Really Enjoyed Your Almost Wordless Photo - So Looks Like A Decaying Pumpkin Face - Way Cool For Sure - Happy Friday The 13th And Be Well This Weekend
ReplyDeleteCheers
Padre-- So glad you enjoyed that photo. I like your perspective, a decaying pumpkin face. Yes, I see that too. Enjoy your weekend and thank you so much for stopping by and commenting.
DeleteWhat a lovely surprise to hear this song again. Thanks Robin.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Coney Island that Van Morrison is singing about (the one in County Down on the east coast of Northern Ireland) on a clear day in 1980 something, I could see all the way to the Isle of Man. For me, this was all new and wonderfully foreign.
Sabine-- I so love knowing that you've been to Coney Island. What a wonderful thing to see all the way to Isle of Man. That must have been quite a sight.
DeleteI've been a Van Morrison fan for years.
ReplyDeleteCatalyst-- We have too, but this is the only one of his songs we listen to. I should check out some others... it's been a while.
DeleteO wow, my geography got all mixed up. Surely those place names were just across the water, not two thousand miles away. Yet what's this about Coney Island? Then I find there's one in Cincinnati; seconds later - as I felt must be the case - one in Northern Ireland. Parenthetically I wasn't the only one who suffered in our recent election. There have been related upheavals in NI (which, strangely, is electorally part of Britain not the Republic of Ireland, but you knew that didn't you?) and they deserve your sympathy too.
ReplyDeleteAlas I knew Van Morrison was a musician and not - as I initially thought - a road vehicle, but I've never heard a note of his. Nevertheless I approve. A guy with those fishy tastes has got to be a good guy.
Admit I was looking for roller coasters at first.
DeleteRoderick-- I wondered if anyone would think of Coney Island in NY, a place my parents brought my siblings and me for some summertime fun. Van Morrison has written some very fine songs, music that is definitely part of the soundtrack of my life.
DeleteThe world is not going in the right direction anymore. Was there a shift in the universe that I somehow missed? We're barreling towards something I have feared all of my life.
Cool song, don't believe I've heard it before. And your photo is a perfect accompinament
ReplyDeletePhil-- I was wondering how popular song was in its day. It was released in 1989. I can't remember when Roger and I first heard it. Glad you like photo.
Deletewell, I've never heard this song. how marvelous it is, a reverie, a dream. when you mention driving with Roger, I can see you two moving on down the road. You've put a lot of miles on your various cars, watching the world go by and grabbing snapshots when you can.
ReplyDeleteTara-- I'm so glad you like song. We've had it on our playlist for a while now. Interestingly, ever since my mom died, we've hardly put any miles on our car. Those 1400 round trip miles were a lot, especially in those years we did it more than once.
DeleteBeautiful post. I'm always moved by your loving photos of Roger. There is something in Van Morrison's speaking voice that engages me in the best of ways.
ReplyDeleteam-- Thank you for your kind words. I have so many photos of Roger from the perspective of the passenger seat. Yes, Van Morrison's speaking voice is incredibly poetic.
Delete