'Eye Of The Hunter' was recorded at Brendan's Quivvy Church studio in County Cavan in Ireland. It's a relatively isolated setting - one which allows its owner space to pursue his interests, which range from music to astronomy and archery to arboriculture. Dead Can Dance's music often suggested a search for meaning and sense in the world, and Brendan has taken up a similar journey. But instead of looking at the external world, he has decided to explore the inner world of his own private universe. "People have multiple personalities which are always evolving," he says. "This record deals with the different facets of my own personality." "Eye Of The Hunter's deeply personal songs explore the theme of loss - both of life and love - but they are not bereft of hope. "Saturday's Child," which opens the record, poignantly describes the changing relationship between Brendan and his father after the latter suffered two debilitating strokes. "Sloth" deals with time lost to anger, addiction and inertia, preventing us from achieving our true potential. "The Captive Heart" deals with the attempt to keep love afloat over a long distance. A cover of Tim Buckley's "Must Have Been Blind" features one of the record's more extravagant arrangements, with layers of pedal steel supporting Brendan's soaring vocals. An emotional centerpiece is the haunting, autobiographical "Voyage of Bran". Brendan Perry toured Europe and North America in support of Eye Of The Hunter. But - apart from a number of local performances and workshops in Ireland - he subsequently remained out of the public eye until Dead Can Dance reformed for a series of live concerts in the spring of 2005.
His second album entitled 'Ark' was released 7 June 2010. This album was very different from 'Eye of the Hunter', notably because it will feature rhythm machines and electric guitars.
Two more Dead Can Dance albums followed; 'Anastasis' (2012) and 'Dionysius' (2018) along with a selection of live releases; 'Live Happenings I-V' (2012) and 'In Concert' (2013). 'Live Happenings' was a selection of live tracks released in 5 separate parts online. Each part consisted of 4/5 tracks. These were recordings from the 2005 DCD tour. 'In Concert' was recordings from the 2012 tour.
During the time between albums Brendan also moved from Ireland to Bretagne/Brittany, France and during February/March 2019 completed a solo tour in France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, starting in La Souterraine (FR), closely followed by a Dead Can Dance tour which started in Rennes (FR) in May 2019.
Ten years after 'Ark', on 20 November 2020 Brendan released his third solo album 'Songs of Disenchantment: Music from the Greek Underground'. Initially released in digital formats (MP3/FLAC) and via streaming (Spotify, Amazon Music etc) The physical vinyl and CD versions followed in Spring 2021. This is an album of Greek songs in the Rebetiko street music style (Greek blues?). All the songs are cover versions of 1920s-1930s Greek songs but have been translated in to English. Brendan plays all the instruments himself including traditional instruments like Bouzouki, Saz, Baglama & Tsouras along with lutes and the dulcimer, which DCD fans will be familiar with.
Next up is a Dead Can Dance's Europe tour in 2022, rescheduled from 2021 due to Covid restrictions.
Saturday's Child
Brendan Perry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Exchanging the river for the sea
Farewell to Saturday's child
Cut loose before his prime
Set adrift in the city
Speak to me now of isolation
Feel your way home in the dark
Here comes the old gray man, back bent before his time
Tracing figures in the sand
He has no more crosses to bear
Sat upon his rocking chair
Gazes out toward the sea
Speak to me now of visions
Seen through a looking-glass mind
Speak of your inhibitions
You still have your mountain to climb
The first verse in Brendan Perry’s song, “Saturday’s Child” is a farewell to a child, one who must leave behind their past life and embark on an uncertain future. The metaphorical river here represents the child's childhood – a time where one lives in the moment without thinking about the future or responsibilities - while the sea signifies the vast expanse of adulthood that the child must navigate. The child is described as Saturday's child, which symbolizes the idea of a free spirit who has not yet lost their innocence. The word "cut loose" suggests the child is being released from their current situation before they mature, which could imply a sense of loss of youth and innocence.
The second verse introduces an old man, who seems to have lived his life to the fullest but has come to a point of rest. He has no more burdens to bear and is free to spend his days in contemplation, sitting on a rocking chair and staring off into the sea, which is another metaphor for the unknown. The line "tracing figures in the sand" can be interpreted as the final fleeting memories of life. The overall theme is about two people at different points in their lives – the beginning and the end - and the uncertainty and isolation, but also the freedom that can come with the transitions.
Line by Line Meaning
Farewell my child it's time to leave this all behind
It is time for you to depart from this world and move on
Exchanging the river for the sea
Leaving behind the safety of what you know for the vastness of the unknown
Farewell to Saturday's child
Saying goodbye to the youthful innocence and carefree ways of the past
Cut loose before his prime
Being set free prematurely, before the full potential can be realized
Set adrift in the city
Feeling lost and alone in a bustling urban environment
Speak to me now of isolation
Talk about the feeling of being separated and disconnected from others
Feel your way home in the dark
Finding your path through life even in uncertainty and fear
Here comes the old gray man, back bent before his time
The image of a person who has aged beyond their years, bearing the weight of time
Tracing figures in the sand
Looking back and reflecting on the journey of life
He has no more crosses to bear
Having overcome life's challenges and hardships
Sat upon his rocking chair
Resting and reflecting upon the journey of life
Gazes out toward the sea
Looking towards the vastness of the unknown future
Speak to me now of visions
Share your dreams and aspirations for the future
Seen through a looking-glass mind
Viewing the world with a unique, imaginative perspective
Speak of your inhibitions
Talk about the fears and doubts that hold you back
You still have your mountain to climb
There are still challenges and obstacles to overcome in life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRENDAN MICHAEL PERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Guerra
I can't put into words how inspirational this album was for me and at a pivotal time when I needed it..
Rainey Dawn
The album still helps me when I need it.... beautiful songs, amazing voice!
Michael Guerra
@Craig Hancock Hancock One of the greatest voices I ever heard..
Craig Hancock Hancock
He's very underrated has a real star
Mike Rudell
This is one of the most honest, open, and beautiful songs I've ever heard!! I can't believe it . .it brings me to tears to think about the subject matter . . i once read that this song is about brendan's relationship with his father after he (dad) suffered several dehabilitating strokes that left him distant. "You still have your mountain to climb . . ." is a line that resonates so deeply with me; at 29 years; I still have so much ahead of me; yet so much too look back on . .thanks for sharing
paulo carnaxide
Another masterpiece from Brendan...!
Cooper Clark
i love this song, the whole album is beautiful
upfrontbear74
I have to say this song is astonishing, downloaded the album last night, and it is amazing
Bucketbothead007
Agreed, simply beautiful, love his voice. Thanks.
Juan Navarro
Absolutamente sublime...