Lyrics
VERSE 1
C C F F
My youth is sunk in furrowed bark
G G F C
My brow reflects its glowing spark
C C F F
From places known in odysseys
G G F C
That tree revealed its’ mysteries
VERSE 2
C C F F
A monument that testifies
G G F C
Our legend through impartial eyes
C C F F
Where worship danced around its base
G G F C
Now lifeless towers take its place
CHORUS
Am Am C
But I wanted you to let me in
C Am C
Show me everything, all your hiding
C F
But don’t forget to shine
F G G
Show the world your secrets
INSTRUMENTAL
C C F F
G G F C
VERSE 3
C C F F
From cradle grew this constant source
G G F C
It nourished us through changing course
C C F F
Borne the ancient tongue of land
G G F C
Of life survival hand in hand
CHORUS
VERSE 1
Em G D C Am Em
All the space I waste I can’t erase out of my mind, it’s done now
Em G D C Am Em
I’ve tried not to face this awful place I cannot fill, fill somehow
Em G D C Am Em
I’ve watched the endless shows of all the beau’s I’ve willed into, into my life
Em G D C Am Em
Cried my sincere tears to replace the fears I’ve carved out with, a grave knife
CHORUS
D Am
It’s the fast food of love
C Em
As necessary as a drug
D Am
But as real as stepping
C Em
With a hangover on a plug
VERSE 2
Em G D C Am Em
My longing lacking loving deliverance brought on by my, negligence
Em G D C Am Em
But I’m not gonna tear my substance up into a failed, convenience
Em G D C Am Em
Allow myself to crouch into the blue flame hearth of my, real desire
Em G D C Am Em
Oh no! It’s not because I’m cold it’s just the cooler part of my, flaming fire
CHORUS
BRIDGE
G F Am D
I can’t stop wanting to feel this way
G F D D
My vulnerabilitys’ betrayed
Em G D C Am Em
Em G D C Am Em
CHORUS
OUTRO
Em
Limerance
Em
Send me some deliverance
Em
Gimme some deliverance
A G F Em
Deliverance
INTRO
D Bm F#m G Gm
D Bm F#m G Gm
VERSE 1
D Bm
Hanging from the ground
F#m G Gm
It draws the city to its’ chin
D Bm
A breed of power lines the grey
F#m G Gm
As each new crane holds time to wait
VERSE 2
D Bm
Sprouting in sporadic tufts
F#m G Gm
An open arm that orbits earth
D Bm
Oak trees sulk with jealous stoops
F#m G Gm
Redundant of their ancient rule
CHORUS
D F#m Bm G
High, how high they grow
D F#m G Gm
High, how high they grow
VERSE 3
D Bm
As they command the reigning skies
F#m G Gm
The mighty cranes impose their will
D Bm
We scurry through our daily troughs
F#m G Gm
Too fast to see our citys’ drop
CHORUS X 2
Bm E Bm E
Bm E Bm E
BRIDGE
Bm E Bm E
The pillars, Of our city Look below
Bm E G Gm
The pillars, Of our city Look below
CHORUS X2
INTRO
A D A E
A D A E
VERSE 1
A D
Tuck your hands in now it’s blowing hail,
A D
Chin up high don’t be so frail,
A D
Suck a breath in and just draw it out,
Bm E
Beam a grin to wash away the pout
VERSE 2
A D
I always seem to hold a heaviness,
A D
Though there’s not much I confess,
A D
Today was just another weary sight,
Bm E
But somehow I know it’ll be alright
CHORUS
F#m D
Stand up and shout it
F#m E
You know you can do better
F#m D
Don’t give up too late
F#m E
You only have one chance
Bm
So many times I’ve let myself down
A D A E
A D A E
VERSE 3
A D
I’m all too private about each defeat,
A D
I don’t need goals to feel complete,
A D
I don’t believe I’m here to win the race,
Bm E
But there’s comfort in an easy pace
CHORUS
VERSE 1
E C#m
I sat there gazing at a photoshoot of someones food
A B E
And wondered why, it was so cool
E C#m
Met some friends at a cutting edge social scene
A B E
The kind of place no-one has ever been
CHORUS
C#m A
Take a good look at yourself
B E
Is that the cloth your vanity bought
C#m A
Take a good look at yourself
B E
Is that the show your sanity sought
C#m A
Oh I ……
B E
Oh I ……
VERSE 2
E C#m
A man on bended knee took the hand of his lovely lady
A B E
Faithful to a market strategy
E C#m
A fat cat sat playing tit for tat with his crew
A B E
To buy and sell a military coup
CHORUS
BRIDGE
G#m E G#m E
Why can’t I see, this pressure is too much for me
G#m E G#m B
How can it be, each time I leave
B B B B
There is a fee, there is a fee
VERSE 1
CHORUS
VERSE 1
B B G# G#
I can’t seem to stand tall hanging my arms with ease
B B F# F#
When did I learn that I have to gratify demands and please
B B G# G#
Now a rolled stick of cyanides’ my every need
B B F# F#
I’m blowing benzene rings til my burning lungs fry and bleed
BRIDGE
F#m
Oh quit your pitiful routine
F#
Each circumstance on me you lean
F#m
I’ve prompted every social scene
F#
How vindicated you have been
F#m
Consult me when you make a call
F#
I’m not the one who made you crawl
F#m
Investment doesn’t want withdrawl
F#
You cannot scale an endless wall
CHORUS
G#m F#
How did I do this to me
D#m G#m
My nicotine affliction won’t let me breath
G#m F#
Deny everything
D#m G#m
The agony to give up won’t let me win
C#m D#m G#m
Something tells me I’ve gotta learn some discipline
C#m D#m G#m
Maybe I’ll wait til tomorrow , til I figure out where to begin
INSTRUMENTAL
G#m F# D#m C#m
G#m F# D#m C#m
G#m G#m G#m G#m
VERSE 2
B B G# G#
Instead of growth I’m clutching anxieties
B B F# F#
I’m cradling desires to fill my insuffuciencies
B B G# G#
Now there’s a pattern planning each tragedy
B B F# F#
You see I’ve gotta wipe the slate clean to salvage my dignity
BRIDGE
CHORUS
INSTRUMENTAL
G#m F# D#m C#m
G#m F# D#m C#m
G#m G#m G#m G#m
VERSE 1
D#m C# B C#
Don’t worry I can hold tight, I’m tough enough to persist
D#m C# B C#
I’ve witnessed more than you know, I’m built to endure the pain
D#m C# B C#
There’s nothing that I want more, Than to exhale all my fears
D#m C# B C# D#m
But if it’s answers you want , You better stop right there,Stop right there
CHORUS
G# D#m
All I want is peace of mind
G# D#m
Somewhere to hold my head up high
G# B
Let all these petty things that ruin my life
C# C#
To dissipate into the night
VERSE 2
D#m C# B C#
It’s getting harder to bear, this endless turbid affair
D#m C# B C#
The constant critical tone, that cuts my life to the bone
D#m C# B C#
I don’t want you telling me, how to react to demands,
D#m C# B C# D#m
It’s just that I don’t my, life to be some kind of calculated mould of your mind
CHORUS
BRIDGE
F# C# B C#
Slow down, you’re acting too fast
B B B B
I can’t keep up
C# C# C# C#
With you
INSTRUMENTAL
D#m C# B C#
D#m C# B C#
D#m C# B C#
D#m C# B C#
D#m
CHORUS
VERSE 1
Bbm Eb
I’ve got a heavy load
Bbm Eb
People round me say I can’t just explode
Bbm Gb
But I’d rather not bend over and suffer your demands
Ebm Fm Bbm
And that’s why I won’t shake your hand
PRE-CHORUS
Db F Gb Ab
The force between us could pen a thousand tales , Draw tears from any lover
Db F Gb
You burned your essence right through me, Then vanished from the smoke , You left me
Eb Gb
A senseless ghost , To wait in pain for hope
CHORUS
Db Bbm Fm Fm
I will not allow this anymore
Db Bbm Fm Fm
I am not someone you can ignore
Gb
You can try manoevre round me
Ebm Fm Gb Ab Bbm
I’ll just make you face me in the firing line
Bbm Ab Gb Fm Ebm
VERSE 2
Bbm Eb
No I won’t bite my tongue
Bbm Eb
Baby you’re own actions , They got you hung
Bbm Gb
I am a reflection , Of your own self dejection
Ebm Fm Bbm
So don’t wash me down , With your lies
PRE-CHORUS
CHORUS
INSTRUMENTAL
Ebm Gb Bbm Db
Ebm Gb Bbm Db
OUTRO
Ebm Gb
Fears began to surface , Pain had served its purpose
Bbm Db
Miscommunication , God damn , Stole all our affection
Ebm Gb
We were driven out into a wild direction
Bbm Db
Pulled and dragged away from all our loves protection
Ebm Gb Bbm Db
Oh oh
Ebm Gb Bbm Db
Oh oh
VERSE 1
Fm Bb
The light of day penetrating through
Fm Bb
Each coloured pain with a rainbowed hue
Fm Bb
Reminds the chill of marble stone
Fm Db Bb
To honour warmth from earthly tones
Fm Bb Fm Bb
VERSE 2
Fm Bb
I’m charmed with awe by the crafted glass
Fm Bb
Tinged mosaics of a fabled past
Fm Bb
My wonder alters when I realise
Fm Db Bb
Transparent windows are stained with their lies
CHORUS
Ab Eb Fm G
Ave vitae atque vale
Eb/Db Eb/c Eb/Bb
Ab Eb Fm Bb
I kneel to say I have found my way, But I lost my faith
Eb/Db Eb/c Eb/Bb
VERSE 3
Fm Bb
I grieved my removal and purged all my scorn
Fm Bb
No longer do I carry the sins that I’ve worn
Fm Bb
Devotion to others for me holds no bounds
Fm Db Bb
So I’ll bare all my worship to open ground
CHORUS
Eb Ab
Stained glass window
VERSE 1
Ab Eb Ab Eb
He said stand aside and I’ll handle this
Ab Cm Bb Bb
You’ve gotten in too deep and now we’re all at risk
VERSE 2
Ab Eb Ab Eb
Don’t patronise I’ve got it under control
Ab Cm Bb Ab
I know I may seem young, but you don’t have to be so cold
Ab F Ab Ab
So cold
CHORUS
Eb Ab Gb
There’s a steady line, For each choice I decide
Fm Eb
But I know I’ll stray sometimes
Eb Ab Gb
You can say it’s aggressive, Chide every action of mine
Fm Eb
I’m just telling you, I’ll get by
VERSE 3
Ab Eb Ab Eb
I beg don’t roll your head look hard into my eyes
Ab Cm Bb Ab
I won’t self destruct so there’s no need to sigh
Ab F Ab Ab
No need
FULL CHORUS
Eb Ab Gb
There’s a steady line, For each choice I decide
Fm Eb
But I know I’ll stray sometimes
Eb Ab Gb
You can say it’s aggressive, Chide every action of mine
Fm Eb
I’m just telling you, I’ll get by
Eb Ab Gb
This is not about conflict , It’s not my pride
Fm Eb
I’ve no business wasting time
Eb Ab Gb
I’ve got my mission, There’s purpose in my drive
Fm Eb
Now watch me take the stand
PRE-CHORUS
Gm Cm Gm
I’m willing to work, I’m willing to pay
Cm Gm
Allow me the hours , Allow me my say
Cm Gm
I’m holding my edge , I’m holding my breath
Cm Gm
But you’re gonna let me, Fight it to the death
CHORUS
F Bb Ab
There’s a steady line, For each choice I decide
Gm F
But I know I’ll stray sometimes
F Bb Ab
You can say it’s aggressive, Chide every action of mine
Gm F
I’m just telling you, I’ll get by
F Bb Ab
This is not about conflict , It’s not my pride
Gm F
I’ve no business wasting time
F Bb Ab
I’ve got my mission, There’s purpose in my drive
Gm F
Now watch me take the stand
F Bb Ab Gm F
I’m gonna take my stand, take my stand, take my stand, take my stand
Gm D Cm D
Eb D Eb D
Gm D
Alone, she waited –
Cm D
By the silhouetted tree.
Eb D
A panic, in her chest –
Eb D
Locking tightly.
Gm D
The quivering, fright –
Cm D
Built the urge, to cry.
Eb D
Something instructed –
Eb D
Her voice to call.
Gm D
In the only –
Cm D
Way she knew –
Eb D
The only way –
Eb D
She knew –
Gm
She knew.
INTRO
Bb F Bb F
Bb Dm Bb F
VERSE 1
Bb F
Given the chance, Would I stand by
Bb F
Or would I turn away
Bb F
If I can’t stand , For what I believe
Bb F
What’s the point in living anyway
VERSE 2
Bb F
I’ll never find what I’m not looking for
Bb F
And talk gets cheaper everyday
Bb F
There’s always someone, to put me down
Bb F
There’s always someone in my way
CHORUS
F Bb
So it’s my time won’t I use it well
Dm Bb
Coz I’ve no one else to blame
Dm Bb
And there’s an angel that looks over me
Dm Bb
We all can change
VERSE 3
Bb F
Why don’t I adapt to myself
Bb F
Instead of everyone else
Bb F
Why don’t I do, What I want to do
Bb F
Why don’t I suit, suit myself
CHORUS
OUTRO
Dm Bb
I’m just the person inside
Dm Bb
Why won’t you bleed for me
Instrumental
Credits
Thank You
I never thought I would be penning another ode to all the wonderful people and influences for a second album let alone recording another one. I am eternally grateful to so many incredible souls for their love, support, inspiration, contribution and help throughout the last year and half.
Firstly to everyone in my family, thank you for your love, encouragement, support and presence in my life. I would especially like to dedicate this entire album to my Dad, Tim who passed on December 29th 2021. Not only were you the definition of greatness as a man, you were such a great Dad. You were a champion of my music, encouraging me to have the self-belief to record and perform. I will never forget you. Thank you for being my Dad, my warrior and my guide through this life. I have learned so much from you X.
To all my amazing friends who have always had my back through everything. I can never thank you enough for your unending love and support. I cherish you all.
Thank you to all my beautiful teachers and students, I am still learning from you all.
To the insatiably talented and gifted people that are the musicians who crafted my infant musical ideas into the body of work you now listen to, I could not do this without you. Micheal Buckley on saxophone; Ronan Dooney on trumpet; Jason Duffy on drums; Alan Elliott on bass guitar; Alan Kelly on acoustic/electric guitar and vocals; Vyvienne Long on Cello; Gavin Quinn on electric guitar. Thanks so much to Fergal Davis for his magical mastering. A huge thank you to everyone at Camden Recording Studios in Dublin for providing the perfect environment to record, we had too much fun 🙂
A huge thanks to the unbelievable talent that is Matthew Rose-nel for all the photos and videos for the entire album. It’s always so much fun working with you and the motley crew of Rebecca Littlefield on hair and Elisa Nunes on make-up. Thanks to Anne McCoy for your kindness and constant help with promoting every facet of my music. Thank you to Edel Fallon from Bottle Green Design for your amazing work and reliability with everything graphics and printing. Thanks to Tracey Moca for your ingenuity and generosity in designing the album cover. Thank you Karl Lambert for everything from creating the website to all the updates and your patience. Thank you Camille from Crystal Media for your constant help and reassurance for CD and Vinyl production.
The biggest thank you of all for this album, is to Alan Kelly who produced it entirely. Your eye to detail, craftsmanship, dedication, ingenuity and care are unparalleled. I could not possibly have done this without you. Thank you so much 🙂
And finally, thanks to my little fur babies Jeff and Nina for bringing all the joy to my world. I love you both so much X
MNÁ was written throughout the lock-downs. However the inspiration for it emerged when I was travelling many years ago. The album explores weaving themes of femininity from lived experience. For millennia this world has ridiculed the divine feminine and co-opted it with contrived values that do not serve its true nature. We are no longer taught the innate lessons passed through generations about how to be, grow and thrive within this beautiful and powerful manifestation of womanhood.
My inaugural album was the planting of this seed. This second venture is an homage to being subjected to the expectations of various groups in society that claim to know what is right and good for me. I delve into spinsterhood, sexuality, the burden of guilt & shame bestowed in our psyche, the desire to birth & nurture, to be loved & to love, tackling the shadow self, balancing my internal oppositions, learning how to self care & self protect, reaching into the depth of the spiritual journey and attempting to grasp my purpose in this lifetime.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have creating it.
Much love X