In 1999 he formed the musical group Clann Zú featuring various musicians from Melbourne’s Classical, punk and electronic scenes. Clann Zú became critically acclaimed internationally, releasing two albums on Canadian political label G7 Welcoming Committee, home to writers Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn as well as acclaimed groups Propaghandi and International Noise Conspiracy. The albums “Rua” and “Black Coats and Bandages” made the top ten critics choices in various overseas press for 2002 and 2004.
Following Declan’s return to Ireland in 2002 he quickly became part of the Irish music and film scene. Continuing to perform with Clann Zú on their final tour throughout 2004 in Canada and Australia, Declan also found the time to perform as a solo artist in Ireland. Filmmaking has always been the natural progression of Declan’s musical pieces and songs. Having received numerous accolades for his animations his works have featured in numerous national and international film festivals.
Declan has just finished recording his eagerly awaited debut solo album ‘Song Of a Thousand Birds”. It features some of the cream of Irish contemporary musicians. Rónán O’Snodaigh from Kila, Turlough Gunawardhana from The Chapters on cello, Richie Egan (AKA Jape) from Redneck Manifesto on bass, Cion O’Callaghan from Paddy Casey’s band on drums and renowned fiddle player Adrian Hart. The album was recorded in various flats, basements and abandoned rooms in Dublin by de Barra over the last year and a half while two tracks were recorded in Melbourne Australia.
“It was done with what ever I could beg borrow or steal, I’d work insane hours at an animation studio and plough all me money into buying microphones and the like, food rent and sleep were secondary issues. I was fortunate that so many great musicians liked the songs and helped me out. This album is all I’ve eaten, drank and slept for the past few years.”
De Barra’s vocals are intense and passionate, with lyrical themes running from tales of love lost, to socially based themes of refugees, resistance, cultural reclamation, and survival. It is hard to pin a style on De Barra's music, from the beautiful dark melodies of the almost Sean Nós like “Leaves in the Autumn” to the intimate and sparse “Curfew”, to the huge and dramatic “Blackbird Song” and “Three Days From Now”. Critics have best described it as dark, beautiful and powerful.
Declan has released his new album "A fire to scare the sun".
Curfew
Declan De Barra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While you swim in your pools.
You tortured me for 22 days,
I had nothing to give them but my name..
Life stops at five,
Because we can't go outisde
Beneath the tables we all hide,
They closed my school today
So i picked up a book instead..
My friend he picked up a loaded rock
They killed him dead with just one shot...
Such a look of surprise,
In your lifeless eyes,
There's no human rights
Outside the camera's golden light...
My tears are weeping into your wounds
Another job in the ocean of the ruin
Shrapnel makes for a sickening necklace
Shining in the evening light
As both of ye fade...
Life stops at five,
Because we can't go outisde
I hope the morning arrives,
I hope the morning arrives...
The lyrics to the song Curfew by Declan De Barra reflect on the brutality and oppression experienced by people living in areas that have been subjected to curfew, a state of emergency where residents are restricted from leaving their homes at certain times. The singer of the song seems to be a victim of the curfew, suggesting that they have not had enough to drink while people in privileged positions swim in their swimming pools. This contrast seems to emphasize the disparity in living conditions between different groups of people during a curfew. The singer also reveals that they were tortured for 22 days, which could be seen as a metaphor for the prolonged period of suffering that curfews can cause to people and communities.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is experiencing fear and uncertainty due to the curfew. They reveal that life stops at five because they cannot go outside, and all they can do is hide beneath tables "will we make it out alive?". This line could symbolize the fear and desperation that people feel when they are trapped inside their own homes and cannot escape the violence and danger outside. The song also brings attention to the impact that curfew can have on education, as the singer's school has been closed down, and they have resorted to reading books instead. The song also highlights the violence that can occur during curfews, with the singer's friend being killed for picking up a loaded rock. The lyrics suggest that there is no justice during a curfew as there are no "human rights outside the camera's golden light".
Overall, "Curfew" by Declan De Barra explores the devastating impact that curfews can have on people's lives, their freedom, their safety, and their mental health. The song is a powerful social commentary on the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of human rights.
Line by Line Meaning
I haven't enough to drink,
I'm deprived of basic needs like water, while you live luxuriously.
While you swim in your pools.
You're so privileged that you can swim in a pool, while I don't even have enough water to drink.
You tortured me for 22 days,
You put me through unspeakable suffering for nearly a month.
I had nothing to give them but my name..
I was completely powerless and unable to resist, so all I could give them was my name.
Life stops at five,
We're trapped and unable to live our lives normally.
Because we can't go outisde
We're confined and unable to leave our homes due to a dangerous situation outside.
Beneath the tables we all hide,
We're terrified and hiding under tables to avoid danger.
Will we make it out alive?
We're unsure if we'll survive the situation we're in.
They closed my school today
My education has been disrupted due to the current situation.
So i picked up a book instead..
I tried to find ways to continue learning and growing despite the obstacles.
My friend he picked up a loaded rock
My friend resorted to violence in response to the injustice we're facing.
They killed him dead with just one shot...
My friend was killed in cold blood by their oppressors.
Such a look of surprise,
Even though they caused so much suffering, the oppressors are shocked when faced with the consequences of their actions.
In your lifeless eyes,
Their eyes have no life, as they're completely disconnected from their own humanity.
There's no human rights
Our basic human rights are being completely disregarded.
Outside the camera's golden light...
The situation is hidden from view, away from the eyes of the world.
My tears are weeping into your wounds
My suffering is compounded by my empathy for those who are by my side but also victims of the same oppression.
Another job in the ocean of the ruin
The loss of one lifecounts for a huge number of senseless killings that establish the ruin of our community.
Shrapnel makes for a sickening necklace
The violence we face leaves us with gruesome injuries that serve as painful reminders of our circumstances.
Shining in the evening light
The injuries we suffer seem to glow and intensify with the setting sun.
As both of ye fade...
We are both slipping away and losing ourselves as our lives are destroyed by the oppression we face.
I hope the morning arrives,
I hope tomorrow brings change and relief from the suffering we're enduring.
I hope the morning arrives...
The need for change and relief is so urgent that it bears repetition as a prayer.
Contributed by William S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul burke
on Tá brón orm (i'm sorry)
AAAAAAAAAHHHHH MY PEENIE IS SORE