The Snake With Eyes Of Garnet Lyrics And Chords
The Snake With Eyes Of Garnet about James Mangen, he was a real life Dublin writer who was fond of a drink and a drop of the quare stuff. The snake with eyes of Garnet tin whistle sheet music by The Pogues included. '' Laudanum'' was used as a pain relief from the 1600's and is a mixture of opium and alcohol.
Written by Shane MacGowan and recorded by The Pogues [ songs ].
[D]Last night as I lay[G] dreaming
My[D] way across[Bm] the sea
James[D] Mangan brought me[Bm] comfort
With[G] laudanum and poi[D]tin
He flew me back to Dublin
In 1819
To a public execution
Being held on Stephen's Green
The young man on the platform
Held his head up and he did sing
Then he whispered hard into my ear
As he handed me this ring
If you miss me on the harbour
For the boat, it leaves at three
Take this snake with eyes of garnet
My mother gave to me!
This snake cannot be captured
This snake cannot be tied
This snake cannot be tortured, or
Hung or crucified
It came down through the ages
It belongs to you and me
So pass it on and pass it on
'Till all mankind is free
If you miss me on the harbour
For the boat, it leaves at three
Take this snake with eyes of garnet
My mother gave to me"
He swung, his face went purple
A roar came from the crowd
But Mangan laughed and pushed me
And we got back on the cloud
He dropped me off in London
Back in this dying land
But my eyes were filled with wonder
At the ring still in my hand
If you miss me on the harbour
For the boat, it leaves at three
Take this snake with eyes of garnet
My mother gave to me
[D]Last night as I lay[G] dreaming
My[D] way across[Bm] the sea
James[D] Mangan brought me[Bm] comfort
With[G] laudanum and poi[D]tin
He flew me back to Dublin
In 1819
To a public execution
Being held on Stephen's Green
The young man on the platform
Held his head up and he did sing
Then he whispered hard into my ear
As he handed me this ring
If you miss me on the harbour
For the boat, it leaves at three
Take this snake with eyes of garnet
My mother gave to me!
This snake cannot be captured
This snake cannot be tied
This snake cannot be tortured, or
Hung or crucified
It came down through the ages
It belongs to you and me
So pass it on and pass it on
'Till all mankind is free
If you miss me on the harbour
For the boat, it leaves at three
Take this snake with eyes of garnet
My mother gave to me"
He swung, his face went purple
A roar came from the crowd
But Mangan laughed and pushed me
And we got back on the cloud
He dropped me off in London
Back in this dying land
But my eyes were filled with wonder
At the ring still in my hand
If you miss me on the harbour
For the boat, it leaves at three
Take this snake with eyes of garnet
My mother gave to me
Here's the guitar chords for the key of C.
[C]Last night as I lay[F] dreaming
My[C] way across[Am] the sea
James[C] Mangan brought me[Am] comfort
With[F] laudanum and poi[C]tin.
Key of G
[G]Last night as I lay[C] dreaming
My[G] way across[Em] the sea
James[G] Mangan brought me[Em] comfort
With[C] laudanum and poi[G]tin
[C]Last night as I lay[F] dreaming
My[C] way across[Am] the sea
James[C] Mangan brought me[Am] comfort
With[F] laudanum and poi[C]tin.
Key of G
[G]Last night as I lay[C] dreaming
My[G] way across[Em] the sea
James[G] Mangan brought me[Em] comfort
With[C] laudanum and poi[G]tin
James Clarence Mangan (1803 – 1849) was a renowned Irish poet best known for his nationalistic and melancholic poetry. He is considered one of Ireland's most important literary figures of the 19th century and a key voice in the Irish literary revival. His work often explored themes of Ireland's history, suffering, and hopes for independence.
Early Life
Literary Career
Style and Themes
Later Life and Death
Legacy
Early Life
- Born in Dublin, Ireland, in May 1803, Mangan came from a modest family with a father who was a grocer.
- His formal education ended early, and he began working as a law clerk before turning to literary pursuits.
- Mangan was largely self-taught, immersing himself in languages, history, and literature.
Literary Career
- Mangan wrote for various Irish newspapers and magazines, such as The Nation and The Dublin University Magazine.
- His early work included translations of German and Oriental poetry, although many of these were his own adaptations rather than true translations.
- Nationalism became a major theme in his writing, especially during the Young Ireland movement, which sought Irish independence.
Style and Themes
- Mangan's poetry was characterized by its deep emotional expression, often filled with melancholy, loss, and yearning.
- His works also reflected Ireland’s cultural and political struggles, making him a beloved poet among nationalists.
- Themes of spirituality, nature, exile, and personal suffering frequently appear in his work.
Later Life and Death
- Mangan struggled with poverty, depression, and alcoholism throughout his life.
- His health deteriorated rapidly, and he died of cholera in June 1849 during an outbreak in Dublin.
- Despite his struggles, Mangan left a legacy of profound poetry that has continued to resonate with Irish readers and beyond.
Legacy
- James Clarence Mangan is remembered as one of Ireland’s greatest poets.
- His influence on later Irish writers, including W.B. Yeats, was significant. Yeats praised Mangan for capturing the spirit of Irish nationalism and for his evocative lyricism.
- Many of Mangan’s poems are still taught and celebrated in Irish literature today.