As a child she was always singing. Edale, in Derbyshire, was the ideal place to nurture this natural ability, with an abundance of communal song. Having played the fiddle a small amount at school, Bella attended a Folkworks Youth Summer School in Durham age 13. Motivated by the number of young people playing folk music, she was inspired to begin working on folk fiddle. She also met many of her great friends and musical companions.
Some of these new friends arranged to meet up again, and on New Year's Day a year later The Pack was formed. Initially The Pack was a way for this group of people to get free tickets to festivals. The spirited performances and complex arrangements of the 12 piece band proved a resounding success, and they went on to play many of the scene's greatest stages, including Cambridge Folk Festival main stage in 2003. In 2002, the only Pack album 12 Little Devils was released, with fRoots calling it "... a genuine feel good album. Get yours now!".
Hardy released her debut solo album Night Visiting in 2007, to critical acclaim. Mojo gave her a 4* 'Brilliant' rating, fRoots wrote "Bella Hardy is more than a new generation folk revivalist... Her potential is massive", and Taplas Magazine noted "...her debut CD solo album is a piece of wondrous beauty and inventive incisiveness". In 2008 she was nominated for the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. She was also nominated for Best Original Song the same year with Three Black Feathers, which Jim Moray went on to record on his 2008 album Low Culture.
Hardy released her second solo album In The Shadow of Mountains in 2009 at the Cambridge Folk Festival. Again it gained critical acclaim. English Dance and Song Magazine wrote "It's astounding and somewhat daunting to realise this is only Bella's second album... Surely no-one has any right to be writing songs with the sophistication of 'Sylvie Sovay', so early in their career..."
Full Moon Over Amsterdam
Bella Hardy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wait patiently to welcome you tonight
The sleeping city lingers near
While dreamers night walkers and ghosts drift here
The clocks dance back and forward as time shifts so recklessly
Just dusty grey and neon bright to count for company
The full moon over Amsterdam
Above the throng of Tokyo
A man of clouds stood with arms outstretched
Held back the tide and gave my mind some rest
How fast adventure you're come and gone
And Christmas cheer comes early to a floor of green and red
It always seems there's one more flight till you can rest that heavy head
But there's a full moon over Amsterdam
A full moon over Amsterdam
As we arrive in light we end in dark
The choking cough of the singing lark
Coming back to winter for you love is coming home
And we're all travelling travelling travelling
But we're not alone, we're not alone
There's a full moon over Amsterdam
A full moon over Amsterdam
The lyrics of Bella Hardy's song Full Moon Over Amsterdam provide a vivid glimpse into the atmosphere of a bustling city. The first verse depicts the anticipation and excitement of arriving in the city, with the sparkling lights eagerly waiting to welcome visitors. It also highlights the contrast between the sleeping city and those who roam at night - dreamers, night walkers, and ghosts. The clocks dancing back and forth symbolize the transient nature of time in a city that never sleeps. The second verse draws a comparison to Tokyo, where a man of clouds holds back the tide, offering peace of mind amidst the chaos. The lyrics capture the bittersweet feeling of adventuring through a new city, with the anticipation of exploring countered by the exhaustion of constant movement. Despite this, the full moon over Amsterdam remains a constant, offering a sense of connection and grounding.
Overall, the song captures the feeling of being a transient traveler, moving through unfamiliar spaces and relying on the fleeting comfort of the moon and other small moments of peace to persist.
Line by Line Meaning
A sea of tiny sparkling lights
The many lights of Amsterdam twinkle like a sea, creating a beautiful sight for visitors.
Wait patiently to welcome you tonight
The city awaits visitors with open arms and a warm welcome.
The sleeping city lingers near
While most people are asleep, the city is still alive with activity.
While dreamers, night walkers, and ghosts drift here
People with different purposes for being up at night roam around the city.
The clocks dance back and forward as time shifts so recklessly
The passage of time in Amsterdam is unpredictable and can feel unstable.
Just dusty grey and neon bright to count for company
The city's buildings are old and dusty, but they are lit up by vibrant neon lights.
And the full moon over Amsterdam
The mesmerizing full moon shines over the city, adding to its beauty.
Above the throng of Tokyo
The artist is now in Tokyo, a busy, bustling city.
A man of clouds stood with arms outstretched
A man conjured by imagination, stands tall and invites the artist to embrace him.
Held back the tide and gave my mind some rest
The imaginary person provided mental relief to the artist and calmed him down.
How fast adventure you're come and gone
The singer reminisces about the fleeting memories of his adventures.
And Christmas cheer comes early to a floor of green and red
The spirit of Christmas arrives early and fills the room with the colors of the season.
It always seems there's one more flight till you can rest that heavy head
The journey always feels never-ending with one more flight until you can finally rest.
But there's a full moon over Amsterdam
The same full moon that watched over Amsterdam also observes the singer's current adventure.
As we arrive in light we end in dark
The journey of life starts with bright days and ends in darkness.
The choking cough of the singing lark
The sound of the bird that once symbolized hope is now a reminder of finality and an end to the journey.
Coming back to winter for you love is coming home
Coming back to one's beloved in the winter season is like coming back home.
And we're all travelling, travelling, travelling
Everyone is on a journey, experiencing life one moment at a time.
But we're not alone, we're not alone
Even though everyone's journey is unique, we all find comfort knowing that we're not alone in the world.
There's a full moon over Amsterdam
The full moon continues to shine, acting as a symbol of hope and unity for all who experience it.
Contributed by Carter G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.