Her family encouraged her to sing in the house, in a church choir and at school. At Waterford Regional Technical College she studied piano then took music at University College Dublin in 1987. Having learned to copy Ella Fitzgerald's scat singing, she performed in a Dublin bistro several nights per week while still a student. At the Royal Irish Academy of Music she studied classical music and sang in a jazz band, then a folk-ballad band, then another jazz band. She also fell under the influence of Dublin folk singer Frank Harte. During this time she also formed her own band, called Dorothy.
In 1993 Karan moved to New York City. There she studied jazz at Long Island University. When she encountered Irish traditional music sessions in New York she started singing Irish traditional music again. During this time she mostly sang in bars and locals. For most of 1994 she sang with a group called Atlantic Bridge. At the end of the year she joined Seamus Egan and others in Solas. She sang five songs on their first album in 1996. In the same year she sang in Tramps club in Manhattan, accompanied only by a percussionist. They mixed jazz and folk. In 1997 she recorded a solo album, Songlines, inspired by the novel of the same name by Bruce Chatwin. It was produced by Seamus Egan and included several members of Solas. There were a few traditional songs and some contemporary folk songs.
In 2000 Karan collaborated with several other singers on "Seal Maiden - A Celtic Musical". It was a musical version of the film "The Secret of Roan Inish", designed for children. It concerns the mythical creature called the selkie - a seal-woman. Since then Karan has recorded three further solo albums released in 2001, 2003 and 2005. In a salute to her Celtic roots, several tracks were recorded in her native Irish tongue. She also features on the DVD "Solas Live".
Her 2005 album Chasing the Sun includes a number of songs Casey wrote herself. Her records are released by Shanachie Records in the United States and Vertical Records in Europe.
Karan is now living in County Cork, and is married to Niall Vallely, a composer and player of traditional Irish music.
Solo albums
* Songlines (1997)
* Seal Maiden (2000)
* The Winds Begin To Sing (2001)
* Distant Shore (2003)
* Chasing The Sun (2005)
Recordings with Solas
* Solas (1996)
* Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers (1997)
* The Words That Remain (1998)
* Reunion: A Decade of Solas (2006, CD and DVD)
As session musician
* Dancing at Lughnasa (film) (1998)
* Waking Ned Devine (film) (1999)
* "Celtic Solstice" by Paul Winter
This Time Will Pass
Karan Casey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll keep it for you
Fold it into my heart
Where no one will know
I'll hold your spirit
Like a sigh on the wind
Like some rain on a flower
I've seen the mountain
Her bulge in the sky
Her baby unborn
Heard her scalded heart cry
(Chorus:)
This time will pass
A wise man has told me
This time will pass
On all occasions
You must come quiet
To the door of my memory
I'm standing on briars
Out in the storm
Your song like the stars
It will be sung
So gather the brightness
Into your heart
I've seen the mountain
Her bulge in the sky
Her baby unborn
Heard her scalded heart cry
(Chorus)
In the lyrics of the song "This Time Will Pass" by Karan Casey, she talks about her commitment to remember someone's story, and keep it hidden away from the world in a special place in her heart. She speaks of how she will hold their spirit like a gentle breeze or a rainfall on a flower, not forgetting the person even after they are gone. The mountains are also a recurring theme in the song, and the lyrics portray them as a symbol of strength and endurance. Casey talks about how she has seen the mountains and heard their stories, their cries of heartbreak and pain.
The chorus of the song speaks to the idea of acceptance and hope, that no matter how challenging a situation may seem, it too shall pass. It encourages listeners to remain positive and patient throughout life's ups and downs.
The song's verses focus on the individual's experiences but apply to a broader range of situations, such as the passing of loved ones, personal struggles with identity, or experiences of injustice. Casey's voice and the emotive lyrics evoke a sense of shared human experience, causing the listener to reflect on their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll keep your story
I will keep your story safe and secure for you.
I'll keep it for you
You can trust me with your story, I will hold onto it for you.
Fold it into my heart
I will protect and cherish your story as if it were my own.
Where no one will know
Your story is safe with me, and I will not share it with anyone else.
I'll hold your spirit
I will keep your soul close to me.
Like a sigh on the wind
Your spirit will be free like a gentle breeze in the air.
Like some rain on a flower
Your spirit will be like a refreshing rain that nourishes a flower.
To remind me of you
I will remember you and the impact you have had on my life.
I've seen the mountain
I have witnessed the beauty and majesty of nature.
Her bulge in the sky
The mountain's peak reaches towards the heavens, towering over all.
Her baby unborn
The mountain's potential for new life and growth is limitless.
Heard her scalded heart cry
I have felt the pain and sadness of the mountain, just as I have felt my own.
This time will pass
Everything in life is temporary, even the present moment.
A wise man has told me
I have learned from someone who has experienced the passage of time and its impact.
On all occasions
This wisdom applies to every situation and event in life.
You must come quiet
To fully understand and appreciate my memories, you must approach them with humility and respect.
To the door of my memory
My memories are personal and special to me, but I am willing to share them with you.
I'm standing on briars
Revisiting these memories can be painful and difficult, but I am willing to do so for you.
Out in the storm
The memories may be turbulent, but I am willing to weather the storm with you.
Your song like the stars
Your strength and resilience shine bright, like the stars in the night sky.
It will be sung
Your legacy and impact will live on, even after you are gone.
So gather the brightness
Embrace the light and positivity that you bring to the world.
Into your heart
Hold onto the goodness and hope that surrounds you.
I've seen the mountain
Nature inspires and humbles me.
Her bulge in the sky
The beauty of the mountain is awe-inspiring.
Her baby unborn
The mountain represents endless possibilities for growth and new life.
Heard her scalded heart cry
Even nature can experience pain and heartbreak, just as humans do.
This time will pass
Life is fleeting and ever-changing, but we must cherish each moment.
On all occasions
This wisdom applies to every aspect of life, both good and bad.
Contributed by Evelyn R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.