Talbot grew up singing in the church choir that her mother directed, and first picked up the guitar at age 12. She later took voice lessons, sang at different events around Ireland, and joined the Whole Shabang! in 2001. The singer met Cherish the Ladies at a 2001 Shabang! show in New York City, and was soon asked to do guest vocals on their The Girls Won't Leave the Boys Alone album. After releasing a limited-run, self-titled solo album, Talbot was made an official member of Cherish the Ladies in 2003.
Talbot's second solo album, Distant Future, was released in 2004. In 2007, the recording of her third album In Love and Light (released in 2008) coincided with her decision to leave Cherish the Ladies.
In 2008 Talbot featured as a guest on albums by Radiohead drummer Philip Selway, and the collaboration of John McCusker, Kris Drever and Roddy Woomble. Since then she has sung on recordings by Eddi Reader, Boo Hewerdine, and Idlewild.
Talbot lives in Edinburgh with her husband, Scottish folk musician John McCusker.
Official website www.heiditalbot.com
Music Tree
Heidi Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Angels are singin' in heaven for me
So so lah do, so lah so ree
Hear 'em from the top of the music tree
Climbin' up, climbin' up
To the highest limb, fall back down again
Climbin' up, climbin' up
So so lah do, so lah so ree
The moon is singin' in harmony
So so lah do, so lah so ray
All God's children need time to play
Climbin' up, climbin' up
Fill your cup to the brim, drink it down again
Climbin' up, climbin' up
Up and down that music tree
So so lah do, so lah so ree
Close your eyes and then you'll see
So so lah do, so lah so ray
The music'll show you how to pray
Climbin' up, climbin' up
Let the music flow, let your troubles go
Climbin' up, climbin' up
Up and down that music tree
Heidi Talbot's "Music Tree" is a beautiful song that contains motifs of climbing, falling, and rejuvenation in a musical allegory. The song opens with the sequence "so so lah do, so lah so ree", which sounds like a reverberating chord played on a harp, resembling the pure sounds emanating from heaven. The following line, "Angels are singin' in heaven for me", reinforces the religious connections of the song. As the song progresses, it describes the act of climbing up to the highest point of a music tree, the moon singing in harmony, and finally the idea that the music can show you how to pray. The ascent and descent up the music tree are repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and the need to keep moving forward despite setbacks.
The song is a beautiful metaphor for the human experience, with the music tree representing the journey of life with its ups and downs. The climbing and falling actions performed by the singer is a symbolism of the ebb and flow of life, including the highs and lows, good and bad times, and the need to experience all of it fully. The harmony between the moon and the angels represents the interconnectedness of all beings, and the need for unity and diversity. Overall, "Music Tree" is a beautiful song that teaches that music, like life, is a journey that should be experienced fully.
Line by Line Meaning
So so lah do, so lah so ree
The start of a melody used to create music
Angels are singin' in heaven for me
The beauty of music is so great that it can bring even an angel in heaven to sing
Hear 'em from the top of the music tree
The music is so magical it is like it's coming from the top-most branch of a tree
Climbin' up, climbin' up
The journey of rising up towards greater heights
To the highest limb, fall back down again
There will be ups and downs along the way, but with each climb, you rise higher
Up and down that music tree
Life is full of challenges, but there is always music that can help you get through them
The moon is singin' in harmony
Even the moon is inspired to create music in harmony with other instruments
All God's children need time to play
Everyone needs to take time to enjoy and play music, regardless of their religion or culture
Fill your cup to the brim, drink it down again
Take everything that the music has to offer and make the most of it before moving along
Close your eyes and then you'll see
In order to really appreciate music, you need to listen and experience it with both your ears and heart
The music'll show you how to pray
Music has the ability to move people's souls and even guide them to deeper spiritual thoughts
Let the music flow, let your troubles go
Music has the power to let you forget about your worries and immerse yourself in the moment
Contributed by Eliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.