A native speaker of Scottish Gaelic, much of his work is in that language.
He attended Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen and did a postgraduate in teaching at Moray House in Edinburgh. He first saw Runrig play in 1973 and was approached one year later to become a member of the band. He later disagreed with his bandmates over several issues, including politics; Pete Wishart later became a Scottish National Party Member of Parliament.
Munro was elected as Rector of the University of Edinburgh in 1991, a position he held until 1994. He contested the Scottish Parliament seat of Ross, Skye and Inverness West at the 1999 election for Labour, but was defeated by Liberal Democrat John Farquhar Munro. This necessitated leaving the band, which he did in 1997, by which time it was well known that he intended to stand for election. In 2001, it was mischievously pointed out in the media that he had lost the race for the title of 'first member of Runrig to be elected to parliament', after Peter Wishart became an SNP MP at Westminster.
In 1996 he gave the prestigious Sabhal Mòr Lecture.
In 1998 Munro was elected as the first rector of the UHI Millennium Institute, a post that lasted 3 years.
Munro now enjoys a successful solo career, as well as working as the director of development at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, a college on Skye. Munro was sacked by the Scottish Football Association from his role of singing the National Anthem following complaints from fans that due to his Unionist political leanings he refused to sing a verse of Flower of Scotland about rising up and being a nation again.
Official website www.donniemunro.co.uk
Catch the Wind
Donnie Munro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of uncertainty, I want to be,
In the warm hold of your loving mind.
To feel you all around me,
And to take your hand, along the sand,
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.
I wanna hide a while, behind your smile,
And everywhere I'd look, your eyes I'd find.
For me to love you now,
Would be the sweetest thing, 'twould make me sing,
Ah, but I may as well, try and catch the wind.
When rain has hung the leaves with tears,
I want you near, to kill my fears
To help me to leave all my blues behind.
For standin' in your heart,
Is where I want to be, and I long to be,
Ah, but I may as well, try and catch the wind.
The lyrics to Donnie Munro's "Catch The Wind" evoke feelings of uncertainty and a longing for love and comfort. The song opens with the singer expressing a desire to be in the "warm hold" of his love interest's mind during moments of uncertainty. He continues to express his desire to be close to her, to feel her presence and to hold her hand, but he acknowledges that catching the wind is just as futile as trying to attain such closeness.
The second verse focuses on the desire to hide behind his love interest's smile as he seeks solace during sundown. The singer reflects on how just the sight of her eyes would be enough to comfort him in his uncertainty. He expresses that loving her would be the "sweetest thing" and make him sing, yet he still feels as if catching the wind is more realistic.
The final verse of the song expresses the singer's longing to be close to his love interest during moments of sadness, and to have her help him overcome his fears and leave his "blues" behind. He wishes to be in her heart, recognizing that it is where he truly wants to be, but still feeling as if his attempts are as fruitless as trying to catch the wind.
Line by Line Meaning
In the chilly hours and minutes,
During the uncertain, difficult times,
Of uncertainty, I want to be,
I want to be with you, safe and secure,
In the warm hold of your loving mind.
In the comforting embrace of your caring heart.
To feel you all around me,
To sense your presence all around me,
And to take your hand, along the sand,
To walk with you hand in hand on the beach,
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.
Even though it seems impossible, like trying to catch the wind.
When sundown pales the sky,
When the sun sets and darkness fills the sky,
I wanna hide a while, behind your smile,
I want to find comfort and safety in your loving smile,
And everywhere I'd look, your eyes I'd find.
Your loving gaze would be everywhere I look.
For me to love you now,
My love for you at this moment in time,
Would be the sweetest thing, 'twould make me sing,
Would bring me great joy and happiness,
Ah, but I may as well, try and catch the wind.
But it may be a futile endeavor, like trying to catch the wind.
When rain has hung the leaves with tears,
When the rain has soaked everything with sadness and tears,
I want you near, to kill my fears
I want to feel your presence to ease my fears,
To help me to leave all my blues behind.
To help me forget all my sadness and worries.
For standin' in your heart,
Being in your heart,
Is where I want to be, and I long to be,
Is my greatest desire and longing,
Ah, but I may as well, try and catch the wind.
But it may be a hopeless wish, like trying to catch the wind.
Contributed by Kaylee E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
bustacapinlutha
I agree - I love Donnie's voice - almost too good to be true.
harriet2501
So glad Donnie's solo career is doing well and that his voice is as evocative as ever but oh, how I miss him being still with Runrig. The other guy, Bruce, has a good voice, but its timbre is not Celtic. It lacks the emotional impact and musicality Donnie's has. Runrig ruled when Donnie was the lead singer.
Dave Rowarth
Agree.
Jean Macadam
So so AGREE :)
Jenny Miles
It may sound like Dylan,however this was written and originally performed by another massively talented Scotsman ,Donovan.
lupe amado
One more thing: I love singing with you and friends. .I must admit I do very well.💖
Allan McDigger
This song has nothing to do with Bob Dylan, it was originally written and sung in 1965 by the very talented Donovan Leitch who was born in Glasgow.
Kim Lacey
Why do people always credit Bob Dylan with this song?
lupe amado
Hello Donnie iam missing you ..you see your gorgeous voice takes me away from all that is happening and has happened is this world..when I listen to you I feel peace and 💘 love..forever in my heart&soul you will be. Diev et mon droit.please bring a tour to America.Be safe always Donnie..forever your loyal unknown friend.😘😘😘💋💖💝
switchitoff1
Donnie and Bob.Kindred souls.