THE BACK ROAD (Paul O’Brien)

 

I went to St. Lawrence O’Toole’s primary school and we passed St. Barnabas church each day. I found it a bleak and frightening building and we boys made up many horror stories about the place. It was demolished a long time ago.

 

YOU’D BETTER NOT TAKE THE BACK ROAD,

THE BACK ROAD, THE BLACK ROAD.

YOU’D BETTER NOT TAKE THE BACK ROAD

TO JOHNNY CULLEN’S HILL

 

When er’e we’d pass by Barnabass

All the children of my class

Started walking extra fast

Down by Cullen’s Hill

 

YOU’D BETTER …

 

Faithful bowed their heads to pray

For frightened souls who dared to stray

And frown upon the ones who play

Down by Cullen’s Hill

 

YOU’D BETTER …

 

The chiming of the lonely bell

Warning all us kids of hell

Is haunting still the Liffey Swell

Down by Cullen’s Hill

 

YOU’D BETTER …

 

The chapel that stood cold and grey

And used to scare us kids away

Is nowhere to be found today

Down by Cullen’s Hill

 

YOU’D BETTER ……………