MAIN THEME
Irish Film Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And for each mast cut down another sapling is grown
Then I could believe that I'm bound to find
A better life than I left behind
But as you ascend the ladder
Look out below where you tread
For the colors bled as they overflowed
Green, white and gold
So I had to leave from my country of birth
As for each child grown tall
Another lies in the earth
And for every rail we laid in the loam
There's a thousand miles of the long journey home
But as you ascend the ladder
Look out below where you tread
For the colors bled as they overflowed
Red, white and blue
Green, white and gold
The lyrics of Irish Film Orchestra's song "Main Theme" portray a sense of longing for a better life, possibly through immigration to a new country. The first verse uses the metaphor of ships and mast to speak of the growth and expansion of society, however, there is a clear indication that progress comes at a great cost, one that is borne by those left behind. The artist suggests that the promise of a brighter future comes with the price of forgetting about the sacrifices and struggles of one's past.
The second verse points out the devastation that war, violence and loss can bring to people and their countries. There is an acknowledgement of the pain and suffering of the people left behind, as we hear of the death of young people and the millions of miles of hard labor and journeying that is required. The chorus serves as a reminder that while we may find ourselves ascending and achieving, we should not forget the people and places left behind, and the cost involved in reaching our new heights.
Overall, the Main Theme is a simple yet poignant reflection on the challenges of leaving one's home and country in search of a better life, and the sacrifices involved. It is a beautiful and emotional song that encourages us to remember where we come from and the struggles we faced in getting to where we are today.
Line by Line Meaning
If on every ocean the ship is a throne
The singer believes that sailing on the sea is a powerful experience akin to ruling the land.
And for each mast cut down another sapling is grown
The singer believes that nature is abundant and will replenish itself after use in a cycle of renewal.
Then I could believe that I'm bound to find
If the above two lines hold true, the singer has faith in finding a better life elsewhere.
A better life than I left behind
The artist is seeking a higher quality of life than what they have experienced before.
But as you ascend the ladder
The artist issues a warning to watch where you step as you climb the social hierarchy.
Look out below where you tread
Be careful not to neglect or harm those below you in the process of advancement.
For the colors bled as they overflowed
The colors of national identity can be divisive and lead to violence and bloodshed.
Red, white and blue
The colors of the American flag, suggesting conflict between America and the artist's home country of Ireland.
Green, white and gold
The colors of the Irish flag, emphasizing the artist's Irish identity and desire to return home.
So I had to leave from my country of birth
The artist left their homeland out of necessity or desperation rather than choice.
As for each child grown tall
For every child who grows up to succeed, another dies prematurely due to violence or other tragic circumstances.
Another lies in the earth
The death of young people is a tragic reality and a reminder of past and present struggles.
And for every rail we laid in the loam
The singer acknowledges the hard work and sacrifice involved in building railroads or other infrastructure.
There's a thousand miles of the long journey home
Returning home is a difficult and lengthy process with many challenges to overcome.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO, PADDY MOLONEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@liesalen5609
This main theme was played at my mom's funeral, 16 years ago, and up 'till today I still listen to it now and then, because it fills my heart in a way which words can not describe.. My dad passed away only one month and a half before her, so the grief at that time became even more overwhelming. Although the sadness in the melody, I also hear such a sweetness in it, which reminds me of both my parents, and the loss of one of my elder sisters, not even a year after my mom's passing. My sister died at the age of 45, because of cancer. Last year, at this time, another sister would have celebrated her 58th birthday, but left the family also, very sudden, and we didn't even had the chance to say goodbye:o((( Needless to say, this song will remain glued to my heart & soul for as long as I live.
@Dutch3DMaster
My dad picked this for the memorial service for my grandma (his mom) who passed away the 3rd of January this year. This played during a slideshow where there were pictures shown from his mom from when she was young and eventually having kids of her own, turning even older and meeting her grand children for the first time and eventually turning older again and even meeting her great-grand children, from which one is now slowly becoming old enough to realise how special that really is, even in todays world. I didn't knew he picked this piece, but couldn't hold back the tears when the thin whistle started. We are not Irish in any way, but he thought it was a fitting piece of music for such a purpose and he couldn't have been more right.
@SunnevaJoh
Thank you for sharing that memory!
@Dutch3DMaster
:) Thanks for the kind words.
@donbut3056
Amazingly soulful.
@pierrebosser1265
Merci