Derek Ryan is an Irish singer. He was born in County Carlow and is a Countr… Read Full Bio ↴Derek Ryan is an Irish singer. He was born in County Carlow and is a Country and Irish singer, and previously a pop singer as part of Irish boy band D-Side (2001-2006).

From the age of twelve, Derek Ryan had musical aspirations performing regularly at social events with his brother Adrian as the Ryan Brothers. Having grown up in Garyhill near Carlow town, Derek was bred into loving Irish traditional music by his family. Derek took part in fleadh ceoils and became a winner of two all-Ireland titles in both bodhrán and ceili drumming.

Write Me A Letter
Derek Ryan Lyrics

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I'm leaving town today
'Cos it don't matter what I try
I just can't find my way
I'll be so sad leaving but I've got a hunger deep inside
My dreams my ambition and my pride my daddy said
Write me a letter won't you write me a letter son tell me all about the weather
But won't you write me a letter son
And everyday

I'll pray for you
And hope that all your dreams come true
And the life will treat you better
But won't you write me a letter
Dear daddy I'm in Sydney such a lovely town I know
But it's no hills of Donegal
Or those rollin' mountains of mourne
The harbor wind that takes me back to the shores of Galway bay
Daddy when I'm blue
I think of you and that day the day you said
Write me a letter won't you write me a letter son tell me all about the weather
But won't you write me a letter son
And everyday
I'll pray for you
And hope that all your dreams come true
And the life will treat you better
But won't you write me a letter
Dear daddy I'm in the USA yeah I'm here in Tennessee
And the river sure is pretty yes but it's not our lovely Lee
But I'm singing good old country and the people sing along
I drive a fancy car say I'm a star
But your words keep me strong oh you said
Write me a letter won't you write me a letter son tell me all about the weather
But won't you write me a letter son
And everyday
I'll pray for you
And hope that all your dreams come true

And the life will treat you better
But won't you write me a letter won't you write me a letter

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Derek Ryan's "Write Me a Letter" depict a man who leaves his hometown in search of his dreams and ambitions, but still keeps a deep connection with his family. He expresses that no matter where he travels or what he achieves, he misses his hometown, its natural beauty, and his father who has been his constant source of support. He remembers his father's advice to write to him, and asks his father to write to him too. He misses his hometown and family, but he is determined to pursue his dreams.

The song's lyrics reveal the universal yearning for home and family from someone who has set out on his own journey. The reference to the father's repeated request to write a letter indicates the importance of communication, especially in maintaining relationships while being away from home. The son's willingness to keep in touch shows the importance of family values and traditions.

Derek Ryan's "Write Me a Letter" is a stirring tribute to Irish emigrants, which connects the past and present, the homeland and the diaspora, through the act of letter writing, a ritual that has been replaced by digital communication.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm leaving town today
I am departing from this place today.

'Cos it don't matter what I try
I am leaving because nothing seems to work out for me.

I just can't find my way
I am struggling to stay on track and find a path in life.

I'll be so sad leaving but I've got a hunger deep inside
I am emotional about leaving, but I have a strong desire to pursue my dreams.

My dreams my ambition and my pride my daddy said
My father instilled in me the importance of chasing my aspirations and taking pride in my accomplishments.

Write me a letter won't you write me a letter son tell me all about the weather
My father asks me to keep in touch with him, and hopes to hear about my experiences and surroundings.

But won't you write me a letter son
My father is requesting that I stay in contact with him regularly.

And everyday I'll pray for you
My father promises to keep me in his thoughts and prayers every day.

And hope that all your dreams come true
My father wishes for me to achieve my goals and fulfill my aspirations.

And the life will treat you better
My father hopes that life will be kind to me on my journey.

Dear daddy I'm in Sydney such a lovely town I know
I am writing to update my father with my current location, which is a beautiful city called Sydney.

But it's no hills of Donegal
Sydney may be beautiful, but it doesn't have the same charm and natural beauty as Donegal.

Or those rollin' mountains of mourne
Donegal's majestic mountains are unmatched and can't be replicated in Sydney.

The harbor wind that takes me back to the shores of Galway bay
The breeze from the harbor in Sydney reminds me of home in Galway.

Daddy when I'm blue
When I am feeling down and homesick, I think of my father.

I think of you and that day the day you said
I reflect on my father's words of encouragement and support when I need some motivation.

Dear daddy I'm in the USA yeah I'm here in Tennessee
This time, I am updating my father of my location in United States, specifically Tennessee.

And the river sure is pretty yes but it's not our lovely Lee
Although Tennessee's river is beautiful, it doesn't compare to our local Lee river.

But I'm singing good old country and the people sing along
I am enjoying my time in Tennessee and feel accepted since the people appreciate the same music as me.

I drive a fancy car say I'm a star
I am successful and can afford luxuries like a fancy car.

But your words keep me strong oh you said
Despite my success, I still need my father's words of encouragement to keep me going.

Write me a letter won't you write me a letter son tell me all about the weather
My father reminds me again to send him letters updating him on my experiences.

But won't you write me a letter son
My father reiterates his request for me to stay in touch with him.

And everyday I'll pray for you
My father promises again to keep me in his thoughts and prayers daily.

And hope that all your dreams come true
My father wishes once more for me to achieve all of my dreams.

And the life will treat you better
My father hopes for my life to be filled with good luck and positivity.

But won't you write me a letter won't you write me a letter
My father concludes his request for me to continue to write him letters.

Contributed by Hannah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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