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".
Song of a Thousand Birds
Declan De Barra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your pregnant jails are leaking all of our young..
And over the mountain,
And over the sea,
The song of a thousand birds is singing
We'll be free
They cut off our branches but we'll grow them back,
Let loose your dogs to feed on all of our bones,
Kick in our doors and quietly burn down our homes..
And over the mountain,
And over the sea,
The song of a thousand birds is singing
We'll be free
They cut off our branches but we'll grow them back,
Our roots are too deep in this soil burnt and black...
We've paid in our blood
We'll pay in our tears
For the rent on our own land
You control through fear,
You beat us in castles,
You put us through hell,
The pressure and chokeholds are all that you sell
All our days will come...
All our days will come...
The lyrics in Declan De Barra's Song of a Thousand Birds speak to the struggles of a people fighting for their freedom and rights against a cruel oppressor. The first two lines, "Your honeyed words slide over all of our dead / Your pregnant jails are leaking all of our young", suggest that the oppressor may use manipulative language to cloak their brutality, yet their prisons still cannot contain the spirits of those seeking freedom.
The chorus, "And over the mountain, / And over the sea, / The song of a thousand birds is singing / We'll be free," represents the idea that even though these people may be silenced, the hope and belief in freedom will never die. The stanza following the chorus, "They cut off our branches but we'll grow them back, / Our roots are too deep in this soil burnt and black," emphasizes the resilience of these individuals and their connection to their homeland. Even though they may suffer at the hands of their oppressors, they will continue to fight for their land and freedom.
The final stanza, "We've paid in our blood / We'll pay in our tears / For the rent on our own land / You control through fear," points to the sacrifice these people have made and continue to make for the place they call home. It highlights that the oppressor may attempt to control and dictate the lives of the people through fear tactics, but their spirit and determination will shine through in the end. The last line, "All our days will come," embodies the hope that the struggle and sacrifice will eventually lead to a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
Your honeyed words slide over all of our dead
Your sweet-sounding but insincere words have no effect on those of us who have died due to your actions.
Your pregnant jails are leaking all of our young..
Your overcrowded prisons are releasing our young people back into society, who have been impacted and traumatized by the harsh conditions of those jails.
And over the mountain,
Despite the challenges ahead,
And over the sea,
No matter where we are,
The song of a thousand birds is singing
There is a loud and resounding call for change, just like the song of birds that echoes across the land.
We'll be free
We will no longer be oppressed or under your control.
They cut off our branches but we'll grow them back,
They have attempted to weaken us by stripping us of our resources, but we will recover and become stronger.
Our roots are too deep in this soil burnt and black...
Our history and culture are firmly rooted in this land, even in the midst of destruction and devastation.
Let loose your dogs to feed on all of our bones,
You have sent out your forces to prey upon and destroy us.
Kick in our doors and quietly burn down our homes..
You have destroyed our homes and community, often without any warning or explanation, leaving us with nothing.
We've paid in our blood
We have sacrificed our lives and bodies in pursuit of freedom and justice.
We'll pay in our tears
Our pain and suffering will continue, but we will not give up the fight.
For the rent on our own land
We are forced to pay for and work on the very land that we rightfully own.
You control through fear,
Your power over us is maintained through fear and intimidation.
You beat us in castles,
Your abuse and cruel treatment of us takes place even within your lavish and privileged homes.
You put us through hell,
Your oppressive actions have caused us great pain and suffering.
The pressure and chokeholds are all that you sell
Your tactics are based solely on exerting control and diminishing our humanity.
All our days will come...
We will continue to struggle and work for the freedom that is rightfully ours.
All our days will come...
We will never give up or lose hope in the face of oppression and adversity.
Contributed by Ellie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
nixie NICLA
I found the tone of this mans voice deeply moving. Great sound....
Katialyn
perhaps my favourite song ! many thanks !!
oceanofpleasure
the pace the silence the voice