His live performances saw him support the likes of American Music Club, John Prine, Turin Brakes and rising newcomers Joanna Newsom and Willy Mason. Turin Brakes' Olly Knights has said that Regan's "ability to paint weighty and sublime imagery with words is untouchable and very rare, yet it's combined with a sweet charm that renders all cynicism impotent."
Regan is known to have taken a DIY approach to recording sessions, using analogue equipment and recording in houses, a shed and a barn to try and capture a live sound. In February 2010, Regan released his sophomore effort, the more rock-influenced The Shadow Of An Empire.
Fionn's third studio album 100 Acres of Sycamore was released in August, 2011, to a generally positive response. A lot of reviewers point out a return in terms of themes and style to his debut, with many comparing the tone and use of strings to Nick Drake.
The title track of the album, can be downloaded for free at the website.
http://www.fionnregan.com
Black Water Child
Fionn Regan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it's hard to cope.
don't hide your face in your hands,
'cause if your eyes play tricks,
it's outta my control.
it's gonna be a long cold winter.
the skeletons of trees, my blackwater child
if you don't love me, well, don't shove me
without a flashlight or a spark.
any stitches cling like bitches to my arms
for all my charms.
it's gonna be a crooked little winter
the skeletons of trees, my blackwater child
she's walking home
to the devil's flowers.
the broken bones
of heavy hours.
we stayed out late,
it's a lighthouse trait.
and we'll take our time
The opening lines of Fionn Regan's song Black Water Child set the tone for the rest of the song, describing a feeling of being confined and exposed, unable to escape the scrutiny of someone or something watching from above. The singer is "underneath the microscope," suggesting a sense of being examined or judged, and they find it "hard to cope." The next lines suggest that someone is trying to hide from this gaze, perhaps by covering their face with their hands or closing their eyes, but this won't work because the eyes "play tricks." This sense of helplessness and lack of control continues throughout the song, with the singer acknowledging that they can't do anything about what's happening to them.
The line "it's gonna be a long cold winter" adds to this feeling of helplessness, suggesting that whatever is happening will go on for a while and will be difficult to endure. The line "the skeletons of trees, my blackwater child" is a haunting image that reinforces this sense of bleakness and isolation. The black water child is never fully explained, but it seems to be a metaphor for something dark and disturbing, perhaps reflecting the singer's own troubled psyche.
The middle of the song shifts to a more personal tone, with the singer addressing someone directly. The line "if you don't love me, well, don't shove me out into the dark" suggests a fear of rejection or abandonment, and the image of being left without a flashlight or a spark reinforces the sense of being lost and helpless in the face of external forces. The last verse contains several fragmented and enigmatic phrases that suggest a feeling of disconnection or incompleteness, ending on the repeated line "we'll take our time."
Line by Line Meaning
Down here underneath the microscope,
In this situation where every move is scrutinized, analyzed, and judged, it's hard to deal with.
it's hard to cope.
It's difficult to manage or deal with the circumstances.
don't hide your face in your hands,
Don't avoid or escape your troubles by pretending they don't exist.
'cause if your eyes play tricks,
Because if your perception is distorted or unclear,
it's outta my control.
It's not within my power to remedy or address the situation.
it's gonna be a long cold winter.
The future will be difficult, cold, and unrelenting.
the skeletons of trees, my blackwater child
The eerie and stark silhouette of trees invoke a sense of a lost, forgotten and unknown child.
if you don't love me, well, don't shove me
If you don't have affection for me, then don't hurt me intentionally.
out into the dark
Into the unknown or uncertain.
without a flashlight or a spark.
Without a source of illumination or inspiration.
any stitches cling like bitches to my arms
Any attempt to fix or repair leaves a lasting and painful impression.
for all my charms.
Despite my positive qualities or attributes.
it's gonna be a crooked little winter
The future might not be ideal, helpful, or fulfilling.
the skeletons of trees, my blackwater child
The haunting image of the tree skeletons continue to remind of the forgotten and the unknown child.
she's walking home
She's returning to her place of contentment or familiarity.
to the devil's flowers.
To the sinister and malevolent forces that may have tempted or lured her away.
the broken bones
The shattered and fragmented aftermath.
of heavy hours.
Of the stressful or tiring times.
we stayed out late,
We enjoyed and extended our time of happiness and freedom.
it's a lighthouse trait.
It's part of our personality to be a source of guidance or comfort.
and we'll take our time
And we'll relish and stretch out our moments of joy and contentment.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FIONN REGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josh Nelson
So underrated
Kent Olive
Very original sound, well done!
Patrick Wickett
Fionn is killing
Jon-Joe Flynn
ooooo yes named mahhh sooon aaftah yoooou