Kennedy studied for a degree in pure music at the National University of Ireland in Maynooth County, Kildare.
He performs live with a full band, including a drummer, bassist, lead guitarist, and violinist.
He is signed to Interscope Records and released a collection of previously released songs, Dermot Kennedy, on 4 January 2019 through Riggins Recording Limited. His debut major-label studio album, Without Fear, was released on 4 October 2019.
After Rain
Dermot Kennedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because the snow is at our feet
And when embraces subside, and the lilies have died
It comes down to her tears on a sheet
But it's alright because
You cause lanterns to light
And force demons disperse
Then, for evil, you could not be worse
But I see you now, yeah, I see you
And release me now, kinda like dreams do
And I see you now, was hard to see you
Just don't forget to sing
Remember everything
And you're the only little girl I know who'd bring a kite in the snow
Said, "You just gonna hold it up?"
Said, "Nah, I'm gonna let it go"
And when your heart hurts, days like today are the antidote
If you think just maybe it's her
Then promise me, young man, you're gonna let her know
You won't go lonely, yeah
You won't go lonely, yeah
You won't go lonely, yeah
You won't go lonely, yeah
It'll all be better in the morning
'Cause while you sleep, I'll build a wall
Pick a weapon up or something
We're 'bout to have ourselves a brawl
In dead of night, one window open
He heard her singing down the hall
Singing 'bout him, least he was hoping
She left her listener enthralled, woo, ooh
The lyrics to Dermot Kennedy's song After Rain begins with an illustration of a failed attempt to shoot arrows because of the snow on the ground. The arrows fall short, showing that the conditions are not favorable. When the embraces subside, and the lilies have died, it comes down to her tears on a sheet. This line alludes to the aftermath of a heartbreak, where all that remains are tears and memories. The song's central theme is about someone who has gone through immense heartbreak trying to emerge from the sad phase.
The song's chorus is about finding hope and light after a period of sadness. Despite the heartbreak, the singer finds solace in the fact that something or someone is helping him find light, and he's not alone. The line about Lucifer fearing the swift drying of tears means even the devil has no power over the singer's emotions. However, the singer can see hope again, and he knows that he's not lonely.
The song's second verse tells the story of the only little girl who brought a kite to the snow. She's a symbol of hope and resilience despite the odds. The singer urges young men not to hold back on expressing their feelings to the people they care about. The song speaks to the importance of hope, love, and compassion even in the darkest moments of life.
Line by Line Meaning
You call arrows to fall short
You have a way of ensuring that plans don't work out as expected.
Because the snow is at our feet
This is happening in the middle of winter.
And when embraces subside, and the lilies have died
When love starts to fade and beauty withers away.
It comes down to her tears on a sheet
All that remains is a broken heart and tears that have been shed.
But it's alright because
Despite everything that has happened, there's hope for a better tomorrow.
You cause lanterns to light
You bring light to the darkness and hope to the hopeless.
And force demons disperse
You have the power to vanquish evil and bring peace to troubled souls.
And if Lucifer may fear the swift drying of tears
Even the devil would tremble at the sight of you making things right.
Then, for evil, you could not be worse
There's no one who's more evil than those who stand in your way.
But I see you now, yeah, I see you
I can see the light that you bring, and it's giving me hope.
And release me now, kinda like dreams do
Your presence is making me feel free from all that's been holding me back.
And I see you now, was hard to see you
It took a lot for me to see the good in you, but I'm glad I finally can.
Just don't forget to sing
Keep spreading your light and your love, even when things get tough.
Remember everything
Keep in mind all the lessons you've learned, so you can use them to help others.
And you're the only little girl I know who'd bring a kite in the snow
You're special and unique, and you make the impossible seem possible.
Said, "You just gonna hold it up?"
Others may doubt you, but you're determined to prove them wrong.
Said, "Nah, I'm gonna let it go"
You're not afraid to take risks and see where they'll take you.
And when your heart hurts, days like today are the antidote
Even when you're feeling low, there are moments that can lift you back up.
If you think just maybe it's her
If you're starting to realize that you're in love with someone special.
Then promise me, young man, you're gonna let her know
Make sure you tell her how you feel, and don't hold back.
You won't go lonely, yeah
When you have love in your heart, you're never truly alone.
It'll all be better in the morning
No matter how bad things may seem, there's always hope for a brighter tomorrow.
'Cause while you sleep, I'll build a wall
I'll protect you and keep you safe from harm.
Pick a weapon up or something
Be prepared for anything that may come your way.
We're 'bout to have ourselves a brawl
We're gonna fight for what we believe in, and we're not giving up without a fight.
In dead of night, one window open
In the silence of the night, with only the faintest light to guide us.
He heard her singing down the hall
He could hear her voice, and it was bringing him comfort.
Singing 'bout him, least he was hoping
He was hoping that she was singing about him, and that he was on her mind.
She left her listener enthralled, woo, ooh
Her voice was so beautiful and captivating, that he was completely mesmerized.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dermot Joseph Kennedy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ollie
In my personal opinion, but this maybe because I’m in this situation and it’s how I’m hearing it, but it sounds like he’s fallen real hard for a girl that has been through a lot in her past including shitty relationships and she’s scared to let him in
Brian
IMO, he’s fighting for a relationship with her and willing to go to any length when times are rough
@rmpkobe24
"It'll all be better in the morning
'Cause while you sleep I'll build a wall
But pick a weapon up or something
We're 'bout to have ourselves a brawl
In dead of night, one window open
He heard her singing down the hall
Singing 'bout him, least he was hoping
She left her listener enthralled"
Hell of a lyric!
@Valentin-sq8fm
lyrics:
You call arrows to fall short
Because the snow is at our feet
And when embraces subside, and the lilies have died
It comes down to her tears on a sheet
But it's alright because
You cause lanterns to light
And force demons disperse
And if Lucifer may fear the swift drying of tears
Then, for evil, you could not be worse
But I see you now, yeah, I see you
And release me now, kinda like dreams do
And I see you now, was hard to see you
Just don't forget to sing
Remember everything
And you're the only little girl I know who'd bring a kite in the snow
Said, "You just gonna hold it up?"
Said, "Nah, I'm gonna let it go"
And when your heart hurts, days like today are the antidote
If you think just maybe it's her
Then promise me, young man, you're gonna let her know
You won't go lonely, yeah
You won't go lonely, yeah
You won't go lonely, yeah
You won't go lonely, yeah
It'll all be better in the morning
'Cause while you sleep, I'll build a wall
Pick a weapon up or something
We're 'bout to have ourselves a brawl
In dead of night, one window open
He heard her singing down the hall
Singing 'bout him, least he was hoping
She left her listener enthralled, woo, ooh
@CricketRodeo
Thank you!
Also, this longer live version doesn't have the "you won't go lonely" part in it (I wish it did!), and I think it says "I call arrows to fall short....". It also has an extra verse at the beginning:
"And I can only hope
there'll be nothing wrong here in a little while
and we'll tell jokes
and run around for a little while
'till we go home
where I'm so relaxed, my heart's a beat a mile
and I can only hope
it's not for nothing"
@MartinBergnerGuitar
From time to time I come back to this song and remember the time when I used to listen to this regularly... now it's a distant memory like an old painting that lost some of it's colour but still conveys the same emotion... It's still the most beautiful description of love that I ever heard and after all this time I still shed a tear every time
"But it's alright because,
You cause lanterns to light.
And force demons disperse.
And if Lucifer may fear the swift drying of tears,
Then, for evil, you could not be worse."
I hope something along these lines will be last thing I think about when my time has come.
@michellecoules3895
When I first discovered Dermot Kennedy, I was partially deaf caused by a medical issue. It was a scary time and it was made even scarier when I realised artists who I had been listening to for years weren't sounding the way they should. They weren't as rich nor as beautiful as they were when I first discovered them. When I left the hospital on the day my hearing returned to near perfection, I turned to Spotify and played something that Dermot Kennedy performed and my god, I nearly fell to the ground and wept. I had been listening to him for months and appreciating the few sounds I could still hear and yet I still fell in love with what I heard. But when I was able to hear every crack in his voice, every tremble, every last bit of texture that I had missed while I was hard of hearing I fell even deeper in love with a voice I hadn't even heard fully before. When I discover more and more of his music, I feel parts of the same feelings as I had on that day after leaving the hospital: sheer awe and appreciation for a voice whose capacity I still haven't heard. I'm reminded of the relief and joy I felt on that day and the gratitude that I could begin to love the musicians I had always loved, while making more room in my heart for new musicians like Dermot Kennedy. I'm glad he was the first musician I decided to listen to when I left the hospital. Because I don't think I could recreate the same feelings as I did with any other artist. Rarely does a musician craft lyrics so evocative and poignant as Dermot, and we are privileged to be living in the same era as him.
@iSugarCookiii
He posted your comment on his Instagram ❤️ check it out
@michellecoules3895
@@iSugarCookiii oh my God! I just did, I am shooketh 😍
@iSugarCookiii
Michelle Murphy ❤️❤️
@michellecoules3895
@@iSugarCookiii ♥️♥️
@selinbesili9823
Michelle Murphy Hello Michelle. I just found your comment on his instagram and had to reach out to you. I am sure you know Bon Iver, but if you haven't listened to Heavenly Father before, the one he performed in the Sydney Opera House, then you should give it a try. It's really magical. The same goes for River by Leon Bridges, or Another Time by City of the Sun. And of course, I love your comment and Dermot Kennedy and so many other other artists. My biggest fear is to not being able to hear their beautiful music again. I am really happy for you that you got your hearing back. Discovering new music really is the best thing! Sending you lots of love from Switzerland, where Dermot's music also helps me getting through chemotherapy.
@angel1202003
can't wait for this guy to get the credit he truly deserves
@CRAZYDOUDE
The time is here