The Last Thoughts of Stephen Dedalus
- Geoffrey Clarfield
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
After reading James Joyce's marvelous book A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, I asked myself, "What may have been the last thoughts of Stephen Dedalus?"
And so I wrote these lyrics and song in the form of modern Irish Celtc Rock.
Below the videos are the lyrics, and for this song I have added an extra verse and a variation of an early verse for any singer and band that may want to cover this or take it on the road.
Words and Music © 2025 by Geoffrey Clarfield. Recorded and arranged by Z. Gitalis.
The Last Thoughts of Stephen Dedalus
Silent Spring, on the harbour
Broken wings, on the starboard side
Chills the mind, dampens ardour
Sticks and shadows
Like things foretold
Hurricane, fire and storm
Earth's daughters
Sea is laughing below
It cannot die
In the earth we go
No farther
On this bed I lie
Will I rise again?
Dream on
In your mountain stream
I'm gone, so you changed your scene
Crimson cart
And a linen shawl
You left nothing
I gave you all
Hurricane, fire and stone
Earth's daughters
Sea is laughing below
It cannot die
In the earth we go
No farther
On this bed I lie
Will I rise again?
Think of these
Think of new daydreams
I will cry
From the place I lie
Wounded swan, in a crown of thorns
You gave nothing
Our love was shorn
Hurricane, fire and storm
Earth's daughters
Sea is laughing below
It cannot die
In the earth we go
No farther
On this bed I lie
Will I rise again?
Hurricane, fire and storm
Earth's daughters
Sea is laughing below
It cannot die
In the earth we go
No farther
On this bed I lie
Will I rise again?
An extra verse:
Rain has come
But there’s no life here
You’re gone
I can smell your hair
Wild dawn
In a maze of rain
No bird comes
Will I see you again?
And here is a variation of an earlier verse.
Speak of these
Speak of noonday dreams
I will hide
From the place I ride
Waves rise
On a cruel sea
Young and swift
You don’t need me