I first came across this whilst listening to the Clancy brothers reunion tour.
It is read by Tommy Makem as an intro to "Carrickfergus".
and the song and poem compliment each other beautifuly I think.

He stumbled home from Clifden fair
With drunken song, and cheeks aglow.
Yet there was something in his air
That told of kingship long ago.
I sighed -- and inly cried With grief
that one so high should fall so low.

He snatched a flower and sniffed its scent,
And waved it toward the sunset sky.
Some old sweet rapture through him went
And kindled in his bloodshot eye.
I turned -- and inly burned With joy
that one so low should rise so high.

-- James H. Cousins