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
The Cowshed
Fionn Regan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Climbing onto the stage in front of the school
High strung
The cat got your tongue
The spotlight came out
You'd been strung
I followed the trail
when I heard that they found
I still see the insect filled jars in rows
The calculations and the diagrams, constellations
High strung
The cat got your tongue
The spotlight came out
You'd been hung
I followed the trail
when I heard that they found
You in the cowshed
The lyrics of "The Cowshed" by Fionn Regan tell a story of someone who still remembers an individual they knew as a child who climbed onto a stage in front of their school. They describe this person as "high strung" and seemingly nervous, as the cat got their tongue. The lyrics then mention that this person was found in a cowshed. The context of this discovery is not immediately clear, but it suggests that something troubling may have happened to this person.
The second verse of the song includes further descriptions of this person's life as a child. The jars filled with insects and the diagrams of constellations suggest that they were interested in science or nature. However, the repeated phrase "high strung" suggests that this person was also prone to anxiety or stress. The final lines of the song repeat the idea that the singer followed a trail to discover what had happened to this person who was found in a cowshed.
Overall, the most likely interpretation of this song is that it tells the story of someone who knew an individual in their childhood who struggled with anxiety and stress, possibly resulting in a tragic ending. The cowshed may have been where this person sought refuge or where they met their untimely end. The insect-filled jars and diagrams of constellations may suggest that this person was introspective or curious about the natural world but was held back by their anxiety.
Line by Line Meaning
I still see you as a baby, I do
I still remember when you were young, innocent and vulnerable
Climbing onto the stage in front of the school
You were brave and fearless, standing up before an audience
High strung
You were easily agitated, stressed and nervous
The cat got your tongue
You were unable to find the words to express yourself
The spotlight came out
You were put in the spotlight, under scrutiny and pressure
You'd been strung
You were struggling to keep yourself together under the pressure
I followed the trail
I tried to understand what led to your current situation
when I heard that they found you in the cowshed
I was shocked to hear that you were found in such a isolated, unglamorous place
I still see the insect filled jars in rows
I still remember the strange and mysterious collections you had
The calculations and the diagrams, constellations
I remember your fascination with science, astronomy and the universe
You'd been hung
You had suffered a terrible fate that left you lifeless
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: FIONN REGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dakota Bulboff
This is such a pretty song. AND SO FUN TO PLAY ♡♡♡♡
Martha The Glitter Warrior
It's sadly beautiful and that's why I love it, but the lyrics make me cry...
Bekah Harrison
i cry every damn time
Karlee Quiroz Valentino
Hauntingly beautiful..
Uí Braonáin
still as good as the 1st time
Gunnar Wolfe
Yes, this song is about a friend of his, who was hung. My brother hung himself last year, I feel this man.
Karlee Quiroz Valentino
Gunnar Wolfe I am sorry man.. I had a friend.. Hugs. 💜
ExOh1993
Figured it out last night. Capo 6th. D, Fsharpminor, Bm, Bm(without bar), G(With finger on B instead of E). Chorus is (E, G(As above), Bm)x2 and then A and back into verse
La Naríz
i heard this was about someone he knew who hung themselves. really sad to listen and think about that! :(
Karlee Quiroz Valentino
George and Luis you're still remembered.. 😭😭😭😭😭