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NOTES on 'Islands of the Heart'.
The song is my tribute to Ireland’s people and the land itself - to a country that has become for me like a second home, in some ways a deeper home. That small green island is the original home of my wife, Madge O'Brien, and it was the land left behind by my great-grandfather John Kearney when he sailed to Australia in 1866.
In the early 2000s, Madge and I were fortunate to live In Ireland for four years. Through that time, I was able to earn my living through music, travelling the length and breadth of the country. Though this is a personal song in some ways, I hope you might connect with it as a song of pilgrimage:
"Guided only by our longing, looking for a place to start -
Pilgrims are we all to the islands of the heart".
The second line could just as easily read: "Pilgrims are we all to the Irelands of the heart".
lyrics
ISLANDS OF THE HEART
1. Going back to where we came from, where the northern breakers curl
To a green and misty landfall at the edges of the world.
We’ve been a long time coming from a place that’s newly made
Where the sun is like a tyrant and the mists have burned away.
2. Oh half the world it seems is drawn to you today
At the edges of the known world where the future never came.
You may lose us in the patterns you so intricately weave
But we visit for a season until we have to leave.
CHORUS: Travel on and on to the western islands
To the far-off shore of the holy ground.
Guided only by our longing, looking for a place to start
Pilgrims are we all to the Islands of the Heart.
3. There’s a sparkle in your eyes yet that never has gone out.
You’ve a wise imagination – oh there's little room for doubt.
There’s a madness in your laughter and a wildness in your dance.
If we can but share your passion, we’re in with half a chance.
4. But how difficult the learning to dance within your pain
To be beaten down so often and still get up again;
When you’ve known the endless troubles and famine’s walked your land
When so many lovely children were taken from your hand? CHORUS
5. I want to thank you for the beauty you’ve spun from broken hearts
For the spirals of your dreaming so free of any charts.
But though we’re quite familiar we can only go so far.
First we tread your holy mountain then we climb back in the car.
6. Going back to where we came from, where the northern breakers curl
To a green and misty landfall at the edges of the world.
We’ve been a long time coming from a place too hard to stay
Where the sun is like a tyrant and the mists have burned away.
Words & music by Peter Kearney
credits
released March 13, 2020
*****
RELATED RESOURCES for 'Islands of the Heart'
Available for purchase through Peter's Online Store:
1. MUSIC BOOK: 'Islands of the Heart' is available. It contains the title song and fourteen other songs . Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/553816
2. CD 'Islands of the Heart' containing the title song and fourteen other tracks is available. Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356144
3. PDF MUSIC for the song 'Islands of the Heart': peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/566496
THE RECORDING
Recorded in the Little Portion Studio, Welby.
Produced by Peter Kearney who also sings lead vocal and plays guitar, tin-whistle
Female solo vocal: Louise Cassidy with harmony by Clare Michael.
Chorus vocals: Louise Cassidy, Clare Michael and Catherine Mahony.
Piano Accordion: Kevin Hunt
Keyboard piano & synth: Kevin Hunt
Violin: Gus Olding
Peter Kearney is an Australian songwriter and singer. His early folk-hymns 'Fill My House' & 'The Beatitudes' are
internationally known. He has written many other songs of justice and peace, songs for children, and a musical-narrative on St. Francis of Assisi. His published recordings include 153 original songs.
LINKS BELOW are for Peter's:
- Website
- Online store
- Facebook Artist Page....more
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