The Lay of Glendalough

Saint Kevin and the Viking *

 In days of old when nights were cold

Saint Kevin and his band

Lived in Peace and Harmony

In Glendalough’s tranquil land

They worked and prayed each night and day

A simple life they led

They lived on honey

They had no money

This life is good

Just as it should

The weary Kevin said

From all around

From hill and town

The local people came

To sit with Kevin

To talk of Heaven

Such was his holy fame

He taught them all the way to pray

To live life rich and free

They said he spoke to animals

His goodness they could see

 ‘Twas said while praying by the lake

A blackbird nested in his hand

Knowing it was safe

 And all was good he prayed each day

He laboured for no reward

And when he tired and near expired

In Kevin’s Bed he lay

Then fame went out

Of monks devout

Who lived a life so rich

And word went loudly near and farvia

And reached  wild Scandinarvia

* This is an exerpt from the longer poem, in full
on Martin Swords Poetry site

Martin Swords  -  Wicklow Writers  -  Oct 2012