2) US ; country singer
1) Singer, writer and concertina player based in the North East of England. With a BBC Folk Award nomination for her work with harmony trio The Devil’s Interval, Emily is already an established musician on the UK folk scene, commended by Shirley Collins and annually touring with Waterson:Carthy. Emily has recently appeared at The Southbank Centre as part of their ‘Folk Roots, New Routes’ series and debuted her new songs at The Sage Gateshead. She is also fast making waves beyond the folk scene, being featured as a soloist on the BBC's adaptation of 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' as well as appearing on alt-folk songwriter Alasdair Roberts’ forthcoming album.
Emily originally hails from Glastonbury, where, raised on a diet of fairytales and deep Somerset folklore she began songwriting at the age of six, starting out with a keyboard, a tape recorder and a thirst for blood-curdling stories. After years immersed in traditional songs, Emily's return to songwriting has already grabbed the attention of the BBC, with Radio 3’s 'Late Junction' recently previewing her new music and ‘Words and Music’ broadcasting live performances of songs from the album at their 'Free Thinking' Festival. Inspired by folktales and Ballads, Emily weaves harmony-rich narratives relaying female experience, accompanied by Viola player Lucy Farrell (fresh from touring with The Unthanks) and Harpist Rachel Newton of BBC folk Award Nominees The Shee. These visceral visions of a darker Albion conjure landscapes where mythical sirens collide in urban backstreets. Emily's debut solo album ‘The Glamoury’ was released in March 2010.
2) US ; country singer : http://www.last.fm/music/Emily+Portman/Country+Girl+Like+Me
Hollin
Emily Portman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hollin, green hollin
A shade of green leaves is my home
Birk and green hollin
Where none is seen but boundless green
Hollin, green hollin
And spots of far blue sky between
A weary head a pillow finds
Hollin, green hollin
Where leaves fall green in summer winds
Birk and green hollin
There yonder sits the nightingale
Hollin, green hollin
She loves me with her merry tale
Birk and green hollin
She sings once I had no tongue to tell
Hollin, green hollin
But now I echo through the dell
Birk and green hollin
And when the green leaves fade and fall
Hollin, green hollin
Into a mossy bed I'll crawl
Birk and green hollin
It's enough for me, enough for me
Hollin, green hollin
To live at large with liberty
Birk and green hollin
It's enough for me, enough for me
Hollin, green hollin
To live at large with liberty
Birk and green hollin
Birk and green hollin
Birk and green hollin
Birk and green hollin
The lyrics of Emily Portman's song Hollin describe a state of solitude and freedom in a natural environment. The singer is wandering in the green woods, which become his shelter and his home; he lies down on the leaves that fall in the summer wind, and he listens to the nightingale's song, which expresses a joy and a sense of belonging that he shares. The lyrics express a longing for simplicity and tranquility, for a life unconstrained by human society and its demands. The repeated refrain "Hollin, green hollin/Birk and green hollin" adds to the musicality of the song and creates a sense of repetition and continuity that echoes the natural cycles of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Alone in green wood must I roam
Hollin, green hollin
A shade of green leaves is my home
Birk and green hollin
I am wandering all by myself in a forest filled with greenery. Hollin - this forest is my only companion. My shelter is a blanket of green leaves. Birk and green hollin - the forest of Birk is where I belong.
Where none is seen but boundless green
Hollin, green hollin
And spots of far blue sky between
Birk and green hollin
There is nothing here but the vast expanse of forest. Hollin - I am surrounded by this greenery. There are tiny windows of blue sky visible in the distance. Birk and green hollin - I am in a place of complete solitude.
A weary head a pillow finds
Hollin, green hollin
Where leaves fall green in summer winds
Birk and green hollin
My tired head finds rest upon a pillow of leaves. Hollin - the green forest provides me a place to sleep. In summer, leaves fall softly in the breeze. Birk and green hollin - I am comforted by the simple beauty of nature.
There yonder sits the nightingale
Hollin, green hollin
She loves me with her merry tale
Birk and green hollin
Over there, perched on a tree, is a nightingale. Hollin - the forest echoes her melody. She sings joyfully, and it feels like she loves me. Birk and green hollin - the forest is filled with sounds of abundant life.
She sings once I had no tongue to tell
Hollin, green hollin
But now I echo through the dell
Birk and green hollin
The nightingale sings of a time when she, like me, had no voice to express herself. Hollin - the forest amplifies her song. Now she echoes through the valley, and so do I. Birk and green hollin - the forest has given us both a voice.
And when the green leaves fade and fall
Hollin, green hollin
Into a mossy bed I'll crawl
Birk and green hollin
When the leaves change color and fall to the ground, I will lie down on a soft bed of moss. Hollin - the forest welcomes me to rest. Birk and green hollin - the forest provides me a place to make my home.
It's enough for me, enough for me
Hollin, green hollin
To live at large with liberty
Birk and green hollin
This simple life is enough for me. Hollin - the forest offers me everything I need. I am free to live and roam as I please. Birk and green hollin - the forest is my haven of freedom.
Birk and green hollin
Birk and green hollin
Birk and green hollin
The repetition of 'Birk and green hollin' emphasizes the importance of the forest as a home and refuge.
Contributed by Dylan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.