Parkhead Pilgrimage Poem by Daniel McDonagh

We have supported the Celtic, our pride and joy,
Since wearing the hoops as a 5 year old boy,
As Paradise was imagined on a tenement backcourt
Were games were won and battles fought.

With shots at goal, we were Willie Wallace
Running through puddles, like Bobby Lennox,
And father would shout from the kitchen window
Watching the celebrations of a cup-winning goal.

Our bedrooms were covered in green and white,
We dreamt playing for Celtic in our dreams at night,
And to St.Charles’ primary we would walk each morning
Anticipating the time playing football in the playground.

And Saturday afternoons would soon draw near
Down through Maryhill, the City Centre and onto Parkhead to cheer
The famous Glasgow Celtic as they took to the pitch
Running from the tunnel to the Jungle in their immaculate hooped strips.

And with my father, I would sing and praise,
Talk of the goals that were scored that day,
In the hallway of my home, I would relive the game
Imagining the fans in the Jungle chanting my name.

The streets of Condorrat became my new football pitch
Friends were sought wearing Celtic’s hooped strip,
Day and night, we would batter that ball
Against fences, cars, windows, and the next door neighbors wall.

Under the streetlights we played, through the cold and the rain
Drenched to the skin until someone won the game,
We were Johnstone & Dalglish all rolled in to one
Using jumpers as goalpost, playing until our faces were numb.

It was on European nights that Parkhead glowed
As we set out on our pilgrimage to the east end of Glasgow,
Were the teams of Europe heard Celtic’s voice
As the faithful sang loud for Jock Stein and his Bhoys.

In our teenage years, we gained the appetite
For wine & cider, toasting the green & white,
To the stadiums of Scotland, we would make our way
Were the welcome mat was never on display.

But the Celtic pride grew within our souls
Watching McGarvey, McCluskey & Nicholas scoring many a goal,
And Parkhead would thrive, singing songs in Ireland’s name
As we watched the battles on the pitch of an Old Firm game.


2004