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
Tell Me Truly
Heidi Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i ask you to be mine
i tell to you i love you
and you my heart decline
my father was a spanish merchant
before he went to sea
he told me to be sure and answer
'no' to all but he
tell me truly
tell me why do you scorn me
why when i ask
you answer me 'no'
out when walking in the garden
her blushes she did show
tell me would you be offended
if one kiss i did bestow
madam may i tie your garter
would you let me make so free
if i should be a little bolder
would you think it wrong of me
tell me truly
tell me why do you scorn me
why when i ask
you answer me 'no'
tell me truly
tell me why do you scorn me
why when i ask
you answer me 'no'
INSTRUMENTAL
out when walking in the garden
i asked you to be mine
i told you i love you
and you my heart declined
but if to bed we went together
i would stay till c***s do crow
and when it's time for me to leave you
you won't ever let me go
tell me truly
tell me why do you scorn me
why when i ask
you answer me 'no'
tell me truly
tell me why do you scorn me
why when i ask
you answer me 'no'
tell me truly
tell me why do you scorn me
why when i ask
you answer me 'no'
INSTRUMENTAL
La la la la...
La la la la...
The song "Tell Me Truly" by Heidi Talbot seems to be a tale of unrequited love from a persistent suitor to an uninterested lady. In the first verse, the suitor asks the lady to be his, but she declines, breaking his heart. He then tells the story of his father who advised him to be persistent when pursuing love but also warns him to be wary. As the song progresses, the suitor becomes bolder in his advances, asking the lady if he could kiss her or tie her garter, to which she responds with another 'no.' He even suggests that if they were to go to bed together, he would stay as long as he could, and she wouldn't let him go when it's time to part ways. The song ends with the suitor still confused about why the lady continues to decline his advances.
The story of the song seems to be set in older times when courtship traditions differ from what we have today. The suitor seems to be following what his father taught him, which is to persist in the face of rejection. The lady's reactions to his advances may be a reflection of the norms of her era, where women are expected to be reserved and coy. Nevertheless, the song still resonates with listeners, reflecting the age-old human desire for love and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Contributed by Abigail F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.