Playing his first live concerts at the age of 11 in pubs on the Isle of Wight, he played in several rock bands during his teens - one of which, Targa, played regularly on the London circuit, finally getting their own headlining concert at London’s prestigious Marquee Club.
During the 1990s he was trained as a Bard, poet and storyteller in the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, and it was during this time that he found his artistic expression within folk music, forming the ‘Mystic Folk’ band Spiral Castle for a support concert with Robin Williamson (founder member of the Incredible String Band). Spiral Castle played regularly during the late 90s at festivals including the Pagan Federation International Conference at Fairfield Halls in Croydon.
He released his debut solo album, "Herne’s Apprentice", in 2002. He followed this with "The Hills They Are Hollow" in 2003, "Spirit of Albion" in 2006, and "The Cauldron Born" in 2008. In 200, he released "Tales from the Crow Man", an album of mostly traditional folk songs alongside Eric Bogle’s classic anti-war song Green Fields of France. In 2010 he the live album "As Nature Intended" (download only). His album "Antlered Crown and Standing Stone" was released November 2012, and "Sabbat" was released in 2014.
After the release of Sabbat, Damh began a multi-year project to create the Four Branches of the Mabinogion in audio format, with song, story and film-type scoring. Y Mabinogi – The First Branch was released in 2017 with The Second Branch coming out the following year. The Third Branch was released in 2020.
Only Human
Damh the Bard Lyrics
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That a man can earn millions from kicking a ball,
While for other countries, we role a dice,
For a little clean water and a bowl of rice,
Politicians and empty promises help lessen our pain,
It's only human
Isn't it wonderful, isn't it right,
But it helps me feel better, when I feel ill,
I can't taste the pain in this little pill,
A thousand lives given to live just a few more years,
It's only human.
Cut down a forest for grass that won't grow,
To help melt the ice caps, to help melt the snow,
We'll watch the seas rise with nowhere to go,
It's only human.
Isn't is holy, isn't it good,
That people kill people in the name of their God,
A bomb for a Father, a bullet for a Son,
And a smile for the child that carried the gun,
Only one God can be right when all's said and done,
It's only human.
The lyrics to Damh the Bard's song Only Human present a critical commentary on various aspects of human behavior and societal norms. The song first mentions the vast economic disparity in the world, where a man can earn millions by simply kicking a ball while people in other countries struggle to have access to clean water and food. It highlights the role of politicians and their empty promises that often fail to alleviate the suffering of the people. The refrain "It's only human" underscores the idea that the problems of the world are caused by human actions and limitations, suggesting a sense of resignation and acceptance.
Next, the song criticizes the medical industry's treatment of animals in the name of human health. The lyrics question the morality of using drugs derived from animal experimentation and the cost of numerous animal lives for a few more years of human life. The song also challenges our environmental impact by pointing out how we cut down forests and damage the natural world for our own gains, ultimately contributing to climate change and rising sea levels. The final verse confronts the violence and destruction that occurs in the name of religion, with the line "Only one God can be right when all's said and done," suggesting that the conflicts we see are rooted in human interpretations and beliefs.
Overall, the lyrics of Only Human are a sobering reminder of the destructive power of human behavior and the systems we have created. The song calls on us to reflect on our actions and see that these problems are indeed "only human."
Line by Line Meaning
Isn't it crazy, isn't it cruel,
Isn't it insane and unkind how a man can make millions for kicking a ball while some nations must rely on chance for basic necessities such as water and food. Politicians and their unfulfilled promises can alleviate some of the sufferings, but ultimately it is just human nature.
Isn't it wonderful, isn't it right,
Isn't it incredible and appropriate that we deem an animal's life as worthless, but it gives us comfort knowing our medications are free from any pain animals may feel. Even if their lives were given to let us live several more years, that's just being human.
Cut down a forest for grass that won't grow,
When we remove entire forests to plant grass that will not grow, it seems normal to us, but this contributes to global warming and melting ice caps, leaving us with no place to go. This is just human behavior.
Isn't is holy, isn't it good,
Aren't we being righteous and good by killing each other in the name of different gods? A bomb for a father, a bullet for a son, and a smile for the child who carried the gun; in the end, only one God can be correct, but it's just a reflection of human behavior.
Contributed by Addison L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.