"Indiscriminate Act of Kindness", one of Foy’s most popular tracks "live" was featured in the a TV commercial for Great Ormond Street Hospital which was aired in the UK up until Christmas of 2006. Foy often uses alternative tunings for his guitar, for example the song 'Indiscriminate Act of Kindness' he uses the tuning CGDGCe.
Foy has previously released two limited edition EPs on Wurdamouth records; "Live Sessions and the birth of the Toilet tour" and "Watermelon Oranges". His regular piano player is London based composer Jules Maxwell.
Bailie's Blood
Foy Vance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a famine, defeat my feast
I only wanna be last, ‘cause I wanna be first. Greed.
Wind blows strong keeps me in my place,
But there’s so much here, offered, which I can’t leave
Cant find anywhere to turn my face but to give
So much good, still in the blood, oh the blood
So much good, still in the blood, oh the blood
Currents grows strong, I must swim against
To the rock, I can find and pace my breath,
Gain my strength and shake the fence,
Even if it ends in death,
When the fires have been quenched by the flood or the blood
When the fires have been quenched by the flood or the blood
I’ve known the love of a woman, in her darkest hours.
And I’ve beckoned to the calling of her room,
The road was so steep and sweet it was strong like flowers
But her bed smelled like a tomb
Who are these people round me telling me
What are these lies?
I gotta watch my back as they break my bones
But I can’t see for the blood in my eyes
Home, take me home
Gotta move real fast but I’m fast in the mud or the blood
Gotta move real fast but I’m fast in the mud or the blood
Smoke fills a room and I can’t breathe
Cannot see but I have my wife
And I’ve got so much, so little to bequeath
Life, oh life!
When the fires have been quenched by the flood or the blood
When the fires have been quenched by the flood or the blood
I gotta move real fast but I’m fast in the mud or the blood
I gotta move real fast but I’m fast in the mud or the blood
Or the blood, tell me bout the blood!
I gotta move real fast ‘cause im fast in the mud or the blood
Or the blood, or the blood
I gotta move real fast but I’m fast in the mud or the blood
Or the blood, tell me ‘bout the blood!
I gotta move real fast but I’m fast in the mud or the blood
I gotta move real fast but I’m fast in the mud or the blood
The lyrics to "Bailie's Blood" by Foy Vance explore the themes of blessings and curses, greed, strength, love, and the struggle for survival. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song by stating that both blessings and curses come from the earth, with the singer acknowledging that sometimes he experiences defeat instead of feasting. He admits to wanting to be first, even though he knows it's because of his greed. The singer feels trapped by the strong wind that keeps him in place, yet he knows there's so much to offer that he cannot leave. He concludes that he must give, as there's still so much good in his blood.
The second stanza continues this exploration, with the singer acknowledging the strong currents against him. Yet, he perseveres and finds strength in the rock. He is willing to risk everything to break free, even if it ends in death. The stanza ends with the refrain, "when the fires have been quenched by the flood or the blood," underscoring the idea that life is a constant struggle for survival.
The third stanza moves into the singer's personal experience with love. He acknowledges the love of a woman and how he responds to her call, even when it's difficult. He uses flowers as a metaphor for the sweetness of their love, yet he ultimately realizes that her bed smells like a tomb. The next few lines chronicle the singer's struggle with those around him, who are telling him lies and challenging him. Despite this, he remains focused on his goal, although he acknowledges that he's moving fast in the mud or blood.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of the earth comes blessing and curse
Life presents both good and bad things
And a famine, defeat my feast
Sometimes we have to go without in order to learn and grow
I only wanna be last, ‘cause I wanna be first.
Desire for success and selfishness
Wind blows strong keeps me in my place,
Obstacles may prevent us from doing what we want
But there’s so much here, offered, which I can’t leave
We are grateful for what we have
Cant find anywhere to turn my face but to give
When we feel lost, giving is a way to find purpose
So much good, still in the blood, oh the blood
Our heritage and upbringing can shape us for good or bad
Currents grows strong, I must swim against
Sometimes we have to go against the norm to succeed
To the rock, I can find and pace my breath,
A place of stability can help us find peace and strength
Gain my strength and shake the fence,
Overcoming obstacles can make us stronger
Even if it ends in death,
We may have to risk everything to achieve success
When the fires have been quenched by the flood or the blood
After chaos and upheaval, there can be renewal
I’ve known the love of a woman, in her darkest hours.
Experiencing deep love and caring for someone in their hardest times
And I’ve beckoned to the calling of her room,
Being there for someone when they need us
The road was so steep and sweet it was strong like flowers
Challenges can have a bittersweet and powerful impact
But her bed smelled like a tomb
Despite the love, there is darkness and death
Who are these people round me telling me
Feeling overwhelmed and unsure of who we can trust
What are these lies?
Feeling like people are not being honest with us
I gotta watch my back as they break my bones
Feeling physically and emotionally vulnerable
But I can’t see for the blood in my eyes
Feeling blinded by chaotic and painful circumstances
Home, take me home
Craving comfort and familiarity
Smoke fills a room and I can’t breathe
Feeling suffocated and overwhelmed
Cannot see but I have my wife
Despite chaos, having a loved one to hold onto
And I’ve got so much, so little to bequeath
Feeling the weight of what we have and don't have
Life, oh life!
Questioning the meaning and purpose of life
Or the blood, tell me bout the blood!
Reflecting on the powerful impact of heritage and upbringing
I gotta move real fast ‘cause im fast in the mud or the blood
Feeling a sense of urgency to move forward despite obstacles
Or the blood, or the blood
Continuing to reflect on the powerful impact of heritage and upbringing
I gotta move real fast but I’m fast in the mud or the blood
Despite feeling slowed down by obstacles, still pushing forward
Or the blood, tell me ‘bout the blood!
Continuing to reflect on the powerful impact of heritage and upbringing
I gotta move real fast but I’m fast in the mud or the blood
Feeling slowed down by obstacles but still determined to move forward
Contributed by Alexis S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Teresa Peppel George
on Be the Song
Awesome Song!!