Ronnie McGinn's Poetry Page
| If you have a poem you'd like to see published in The Irish Examiner then send it to:
The Poetry Corner
The Irish Examiner USA
305 Madison Avenue, Suite 1462
New York
NY 10165
or, preferably, you can email it direct to
ronniemcginn@eircom.net.
If possible keep your poem to 20 lines. You may choose any subject you like, in any form you like as long as it's original. We look forward to hearing from you. |
The passing of Lee Hazelwood last week awakened a string of memories, for among the many songs he composed were 'Little Arrows' (which he co-wrote with Albert Hammond) an big hit in Ireland for The Dixies Showband. The Showband Era was the spark that got the young people of Ireland up off their knees and kindled the fire that saw an end to gombeenism in the Irish Entertainment world. Pity they didn't go in to politics. I think it was Aristotle said "people are born to fit the times they live in", so maybe we should leave it at that.
Our poem this week comes from Liam O'Laoire of Farranferris in Cork, Ireland. Liam takes us back to that Showband era through the eyes of a Corkonian. Happy days Liam !
The Arcadia Ballroom Cork
(1950s/60s)
That famous place where Showbands Played
Entertained the youth of our city
To set your stall and have a ball
Down in that grand Arcadia Hall
We graduated from the 'Record Hop'
Our dancing feet just couldn't stop
To queue and pay 5 bob at the foyer
Then jive to the magic of Brendan Bowyer
The Dixies and the Joe Mac Show
Theo Cahill was singing Perry Como's 'I Know'
Down the Lower Road where we would stroll
A few pints , the Arc, and Rock'n'Roll.
The Regal , The Dukes and the famed Dickie Rock
Romance blossomed when you met at the 'Clock'
"Never mind the talk did you get a walk"
"I did said I to the Top of Gurran
With your wan you know as Mollie Bawn"
The Music Makers and Bitch Moore
Will be remembered for evermore
Etched in our minds them golden times
Where we danced to our hearts content.
A memory now that I recall
Down in that grand Arcadia Hall
© Liam O'Laoire
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