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.
For Island Fires and Family
Dermot Kennedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Roamin' lonely over sea air
How it must feel to be a bird
London, Paris, underneath
And I'll wait on my own
(Ooh, hmm, ooh)
And I couldn't tell you enough that I'm sorry
But she's bringin' the moon and stars to me
Damn permanent reverie
And even though this life, this love is brief
I've got some people who carry me
Wasn't it love as soon as we knew each other properly?
Livin' 'bout half right 'til a certain person got to me
Nothin' is secret, everythin's sacred, how it ought to be
Under the moonlight on a clear night
On rooftops is where I want to be
Sometimes I'm like a child, that's somethin' I can't release
Dreams of her comin' home, sweet home
And I'm tellin' you home is so sweet
Said you reminded me of the summertime, and I still mean that
In a full room, I'm the only one she's smilin' at
So wouldn't you let me know if you were thinkin' less of me?
That's what she asked me
What was promised, what we both agreed
But truthfully, if you ever go
You'll drop me straight to Hell, the 7th circle
And I was talkin' with you earlier
We were open and vulnerable, it was wonderful
I, I used to dream that you would talk to me
I used to dream that you would talk to me
And I couldn't tell you enough that I'm sorry
And no, you couldn't tell me enough that you love me
But she's bringin' the moon and stars to me
Damn permanent reverie
And even though this life, this love is brief
I've got some people who carry me
You know that feelin' when you think your heart is gonna come right out through your shirt?
Get it a couple times a year
But I've been gettin' it more often with her
Now when I'm face to face with death, I'll grab his throat
And ask him, "How does it hurt?"
Up in those golden moments, growin' old too quickly
Was he thinkin' of her?
But she's bringin' the moon and stars to me
Damn permanent reverie
And even though this life, this love is brief
I've got some people who carry me
Dermot Kennedy's "For Island Fires and Family" is a deeply emotional and reflective song that explores themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. The song begins by evoking the metaphor of a bird, perhaps longing for the freedom of being able to roam the world without ties or commitments. The singer expresses regret and sorrow for not being able to express his feelings of love enough, while acknowledging the importance of the people in his life who carry him through difficult times. The song then shifts to a nostalgic memory of a past love, the sweetness of home, and vulnerability. The singer expresses their fear of abandonment and the possibility of being left alone to face their own demons.
The chorus of the song serves as a refrain, reminding listeners of the powerful and lasting impact of love, even in its brief and fleeting nature. The singer finds a sense of comfort and solace in the people around him who offer support, and in the memories of those who have touched his life. The song ends with a sense of defiant determination as the singer confronts mortality, insisting that they will face death head-on and with courage.
Throughout the song, Dermot Kennedy's powerful vocals and poetic lyrics create a poignant and evocative atmosphere that allows listeners to connect with the emotions and experiences of the singer. "For Island Fires and Family" is a deeply personal and introspective song that speaks to the universal human experiences of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
How it must feel to be a bird
I am imagining what it might feel like to be free like a bird, with the ability to roam the world without any constraints.
Roamin' lonely over sea air
I am picturing a bird flying over the vast sea, feeling both free and isolated at the same time.
London, Paris, underneath
I am imagining all of the great cities that a bird can fly over, looking down at the people and architecture below.
And I'll wait on my own
I am accepting the loneliness that comes with being on my own, waiting for someone to come back to me.
And I couldn't tell you enough that I'm sorry
I am acknowledging that I have made mistakes and hurt someone, and want to express my apologies.
And no, you couldn't tell me enough that you love me
I am aware that someone loves me, but they might not always say it as much as I would like to hear it.
But she's bringin' the moon and stars to me
I am grateful to someone who is bringing wonderful things into my life, like the moon and stars, and making me feel special.
Damn permanent reverie
I am in a state of being where I don't want to leave the current moment or feeling, because it is so wonderful.
And even though this life, this love is brief
I am aware that life and love are both fleeting, and I should cherish them while I can.
I've got some people who carry me
I am grateful for the people in my life who support me and help me carry on, even through tough times.
Livin' 'bout half right 'til a certain person got to me
I am reflecting on how my life was not complete until a specific person came into it, filling a void I didn't know I had.
Nothin' is secret, everythin's sacred, how it ought to be
I believe that everything in life is meaningful and should be treated as such.
Under the moonlight on a clear night
I am picturing a beautiful moment, being outside in the moonlight on a clear night.
On rooftops is where I want to be
I am imagining being on a rooftop, looking out at the world below. It seems like a peaceful and beautiful place to be.
Sometimes I'm like a child, that's somethin' I can't release
I am admitting that there are times when I act more childlike than I would like. It's something that I struggle to change.
Dreams of her comin' home, sweet home
I am having happy daydreams about someone I love coming home to me after being away.
Said you reminded me of the summertime, and I still mean that
I am saying that someone I love makes me feel warm and happy, like the summertime. This feeling has not changed over time.
In a full room, I'm the only one she's smilin' at
I am feeling special and loved because someone I care about is giving me her undivided attention and affection, even in a crowded room.
So wouldn't you let me know if you were thinkin' less of me?
I am asking someone I care about to be honest with me if they ever start thinking less of me or our relationship.
That's what she asked me
I am recalling a conversation where someone I love asked me to be honest with her if I ever started thinking less of her or our relationship.
What was promised, what we both agreed
I am referring to a promise that was made between me and someone I love, and we both agreed to keep that promise.
But truthfully, if you ever go
I am being honest by saying that if someone I love were to ever leave me, it would have a devastating effect on me.
You'll drop me straight to Hell, the 7th circle
I am exaggerating by saying that if someone I love were to leave me, it would feel like I was being sent straight to the worst level of Hell.
And I was talkin' with you earlier
I am reflecting on a recent conversation I had with someone I care about.
We were open and vulnerable, it was wonderful
I am remembering how great it felt to be open and honest with someone I love, and to feel that same openness and vulnerability in return.
You know that feelin' when you think your heart is gonna come right out through your shirt?
I am referring to a feeling of loving someone so much that it feels like your heart might burst out of your chest.
Get it a couple times a year
I am admitting that this intense feeling of love only happens to me a few times a year.
But I've been gettin' it more often with her
I am happy that I have been feeling this intense love more often since being with someone I care about.
Now when I'm face to face with death, I'll grab his throat
I am saying that if I were to face death, I would not go down without a fight.
And ask him, "How does it hurt?"
I am imagining confronting death and asking how it feels to kill someone, as if death were a person.
Up in those golden moments, growin' old too quickly
I am thinking about how life can have beautiful moments that seem to pass too quickly, and how we can feel like we're getting old too fast.
Was he thinkin' of her?
I am wondering if, in his last moments, someone I care about would be thinking of me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dermot Joseph Kennedy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kassandrablough4449
How it must feel to be a bird
Roamin' lonely over sea air
How it must feel to be a bird
London, Paris, underneath
And I'll wait on my own
(Ooh, hmm, ooh)
And I couldn't tell you enough that I'm sorry
And no, you couldn't tell me enough that you love me
But she's bringin' the moon and stars to me
Damn permanent reverie
And even though this life, this love is brief
I've got some people who carry me
Wasn't it love as soon as we knew each other properly?
Livin' 'bout half right 'til a certain person got to me
Nothin' is secret, everythin's sacred, how it ought to be
Under the moonlight on a clear night
On rooftops is where I want to be
Sometimes I'm like a child, that's somethin' I can't release
Dreams of her comin' home, sweet home
And I'm tellin' you home is so sweet
Said you reminded me of the summertime, and I still mean that
In a full room, I'm the only one she's smilin' at
So wouldn't you let me know if you were thinkin' less of me?
That's what she asked me
What was promised, what we both agreed
But truthfully, if you ever go
You'll drop me straight to Hell, the 7th circle
And I was talkin' with you earlier
We were open and vulnerable, it was wonderful
I, I used to dream that you would talk to me
I used to dream that you would talk to me
And I couldn't tell you enough that I'm sorry
And no, you couldn't tell me enough that you love me
But she's bringin' the moon and stars to me
Damn permanent reverie
And even though this life, this love is brief
I've got some people who carry me
You know that feelin' when you think your heart is gonna come right out through your shirt?
Get it a couple times a year
But I've been gettin' it more often with her
Now when I'm face to face with death, I'll grab his throat
And ask him, "How does it hurt?"
Up in those golden moments, growin' old too quickly
Was he thinkin' of her?
But she's bringin' the moon and stars to me
Damn permanent reverie
And even though this life, this love is brief
I've got some people who carry me
Songwriters: Dermot Joseph Kennedy
@alicelover8016
I'm not quite sure how to put this into words, however, this song has just brought me to tears with how beautiful it is. This is the first song to do that in the 20 years I have been on this earth. I cannot even figure out why it has had such an impact on me. Your lyrics and sound have just entered my subconscious and made me feel so at peace, yet alive and inspired. It has unlocked a part of me I never knew existed and honestly it is such an emotional moment. Maybe deep down this song means a lot more to me - either way, what an astounding ability you have!
Dermot, you and your music has touched my heart and soul like no other. I know I am not the first, nor the last person to say that, yet to me, you truly mean so much. Your lyrics are so potent, not just in this song, in all of them. They all tell a different story and make you feel different emotions. They contain so much significance, but what makes it more sentimental is the way you project your voice and sing so passionately. I can see how much these songs mean to you too, which enables them to be more touching and true to life.
The world is so so lucky to be able to listen to you. I can only imagine how proud your family and friends are of you. You really do have a unique and spectacular spark inside that has such potential and success. You are an incredibly beautiful person, inside and out. I'm sure you hear this a lot, but it's because it is so true. As you say: "if only you could see yourself from my eyes", we say: "if only you could see yourself from our eyes", then maybe you would feel and realise how meaningful and impactful you are.
You will forever hold an important place in my heart; I don't think I could ever thank you enough for being who you are and doing what you're doing. I am here to stay, you have me for an eternity and I will forever support you through this crazy journey we call life.
I cannot wait to see you live in London, September 2021.
Thank you 💜💙🧡❤️
@lisanicole2660
This song makes me long for a place I've never been and a person I've never met, if that makes any sense.
@PanCakes441
it does.
@davidfeller1855
Lisa Nicole u mean it makes u miss people you dont know and memories u never had ?
@lisanicole2660
@@davidfeller1855 Yes. I want to feel the way he describes feeling in this song. I don't think I've ever felt that way about somebody or had somebody feel that strongly about me. What a connection. It's a beautiful song.
@maricruzalfaro8849
Absolutely.
@kolawojtowicz2392
There is even a word for this - fernweh (german) which is a feeling homesick for a place you have never been to
@aoleary88
Dermot Kennedy does not sing song's, he delivers stories packed with emotions, unbelievable to witness and feel, don't ever change DK
@mistymoo1122
You absolutely nailed it there with what you said... couldn't agree more. This man touches your soul x
@iamdeadinside1021
100% 😍
@melisssaswetich8892
YES 🤯🤯🤯