Rankin's best-known composition, "Peaceful," was a major hit for Helen Reddy in 1973. He had a major fan in Johnny Carson, who had Rankin appear on "The Tonight Show" more than two dozen times. Carson wrote the liner notes for Rankin's 1967 debut album, "Mind Dusters."
Rankin died June 7, 2009, in Los Angeles. According to his management company, he was diagnosed with lung cancer three weeks earlier.
Down the Road
Kenny Rankin Lyrics
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In Fields Of Soft, Sweet Clover
Sons Of Old Killarney
When Will This Fight Be Over?
Is It Our Human Fate
Or Merely A Twisted Fable
That We're Haunted By The Hate
Down The Road, Down The Road
We Are Walking The Same Path
To The Judgement Day
Down The Road, Down The Road
We Are Walking The Same Path
To The Judgement Day
Sons Of Old Killarney
Keepers Of The Celtic Lore
Why Must We Deny Our Hearts
To Raise Young Sons For War?
She's Praying For An Answer
She Knows May Never Come
Knowing That The Questions
Were Never Settled With A Gun
Down The Road, Down The Road
We Are Walking The Same Path
To The Judgement Day
Down The Road, Down The Road
We Are Walking The Same Path
To The Judgement Day
She's Praying For An Answer
She Knows May Never Come
Knowing That The Questions
Were Never Settled With A Gun
Down The Road, Down The Road
We Are Walking The Same Path
To The Judgement Day
Kenny Rankin's Down the Road speaks to the universal human struggle for peace and the questioning of the value of war. The lyrics reference the gorgeous landscape of Ireland, specifically Killarney, as well as the complex nature of human relationships, particularly the story of Cain and Abel from the Bible.
The opening stanza references the lovely environment of Killarney and is a call to appreciate the beauty around us, but it is quickly countered with the question in the next stanza: is it our human destiny to be plagued by hate? This is a theme that runs throughout the song, and it serves to contrast the beauty of the world with the ugliness of war and violence that humans perpetuate.
Rankin then adds a specific layer to this question by addressing Ireland's history of violence and the conflict with Northern Ireland. He asks why the sons of Killarney, the keepers of their Celtic heritage, must deny their hearts and raise their children for war. The final stanza repeats the questioning and praying that has been woven throughout the song, stating that the answers may never come and that they cannot be solved with guns.
Line by Line Meaning
The Land Of Mystic Emerald Seas
Refers to a beautiful place surrounded by emerald-green oceans
In Fields Of Soft, Sweet Clover
Depicts a picturesque view filled with clovers that are soft and sweet
Sons Of Old Killarney
Refers to the inhabitants of Killarney, an Irish town with a rich culture and history
When Will This Fight Be Over?
Asks an important question about an ongoing battle or struggle, possibly referring to a larger conflict or war
Is It Our Human Fate
Asks a philosophical question about the destiny or ultimate conclusion of humanity
Or Merely A Twisted Fable
Asks whether our reality is fact or a distorted story or tale
That We're Haunted By The Hate
References a negative emotion that seems to continually affect us
That Sprang From Cain And Abel
References a biblical story about two brothers that symbolize the origins of human conflict
Down The Road, Down The Road
Repeats the refrain as a reminder that in life, we are always progressing forward on a journey
We Are Walking The Same Path
Acknowledges that despite differences, we are all moving towards the same destination
To The Judgement Day
Refers to a day when we must answer for our actions and decisions
Sons Of Old Killarney
Repeats the same line from earlier to continue the theme of Irish heritage and culture
Keepers Of The Celtic Lore
Acknowledges the importance of preserving cultural traditions and mythology
Why Must We Deny Our Hearts
Questions why we often prioritize things other than our own desires and emotions
To Raise Young Sons For War?
Is a criticism of a society that glorifies and promotes war at the expense of its youth
She's Praying For An Answer
References a woman who is seeking guidance or solutions to a problem or situation
She Knows May Never Come
Acknowledges the uncertainty and hopelessness that can come with seeking answers
Knowing That The Questions
Acknowledges that the search for answers is difficult and requires asking important questions
Were Never Settled With A Gun
Makes a statement about violence and the inability for it to truly solve problems or conflicts
Contributed by William V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Amirault
on Through the Eye of the Eagle
Verse three replace "Walking "with the word "Moving" which he sings