Formed i… Read Full Bio ↴Malinky is a Scottish folk band specialising in Scots song.
Formed in autumn 1998, the original members were Karine Polwart from Banknock, Stirlingshire (vocals, guitar, bouzouki), Steve Byrne from Arbroath (vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin), Mark Dunlop from Garryduff, Co. Antrim (bodhrán, whistles, vocals) and English fiddler Kit Patterson.
First meeting to rehearse in early October that year, the band was largely formed to help Polwart fulfil a support slot at Edinburgh Folk Club some ten days later, supporting harpist and storyteller Robin Williamson, formerly of the Incredible String Band. The members had previously encountered each other around the lively pub session scene in Edinburgh in venues such as Sandy Bell's and the Royal Oak bars. Polwart was a social worker, Byrne a student of Scottish Studies, Dunlop a town planner with the city council, and Patterson a computer programmer from Plymouth.
The band's first album 'Last Leaves' was recorded in 1999 and released at Celtic Connections 2000, with the late Davy Steele as producer. In early 2001, Edinburgh-born Jon Bews, formerly of Burach, replaced Patterson on fiddle, and later that year Tyrone button box and whistle player Leo McCann was asked to join to expand the band's largely string-driven sound.
In September 2004 the band announced a major change of personnel. Polwart left to pursue a solo career and McCann's imminent fatherhood prompted him to return to his previous career in social work. Polwart and McCann worked their notice until February 2005, coincidentally the same month as Polwart swept the boards at the Radio 2 Folk Awards, catapulting her re-released 2003 solo album 'Faultlines' to greater heights.
Byrne, Dunlop and Bews continued the band with new members Fiona Hunter from Glasgow (vocals, cello) and Liverpool-born Ewan MacPherson (guitar, mandolin, mandola, tenor banjo, jew's harp, vocals), and a series of crossover concerts in January and February 2005 took place, featuring both old and new lineups, including a sellout show at Celtic Connections in Glasgow.
In June 2005 the band recorded their third album 'The Unseen Hours' at Watercolour Studios in Ardgour, Lochaber in the Scottish Highlands, and the album was released in November 2005, surprising many critics with its continuity from the band's previous work, and earning rave reviews with its strong commitment to traditional Scots ballads.
The Unseen Hours lineup toured Germany and the Netherlands in 2006 to great acclaim and in 2007 performed with Swedish ballad band Ranarim at the Celtic Connections festival as well as making their first sojourn to the USA and Canada.
In December 2007 MacPherson left the band to pursue other projects to be replaced by guitar and bouzouki player David Wood from Grindleford in Derbyshire, formerly of CrossCurrent.
Fiddler Mike Vass joined the band in 2008, previously best known for performing in a duo with his sister Ali Vass.
Dark Horse on The Wind
Malinky Lyrics
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All the ones who died for liberty have died but for a dream
Oh then rise, rise, rise, dark horse on the wind
For in no nation on earth more broken dreams you'll find
The flames leapt high, reached to the sky 'til they seared a nation's soul
In the ashes of our broken dreams we've lost sight of our goal
Oh then rise, rise, rise, dark horse on the wind
Now charlatans wear dead men's shoes, aye and rattle dead men's bones
'Ere the dust has settled on their tombs, they've sold the very stones
Oh then rise, rise, rise, dark horse on the wind
For in no nation on the earth more Pharisees you'll find
In grief and hate our motherland her dragon's teeth has sown
Now the warriors spring from the earth to maim and kill their own
Oh then rise, rise, rise, dark horse on the wind
For the one-eyed Balor still reigns king in our nation of the blind
The lyrics to Malinky's song "Dark Horse on the Wind" speak of the struggles of individuals fighting for freedom, only to die in the process. The line "All those who died for liberty have heard the eagle scream" implies that these individuals have given everything they had, laying down their lives for their country. However, the succeeding line, "All the ones who died for liberty have died but for a dream" suggests that their dream of freedom was never fully realized as their death had been in vain. The succeeding lines encourage a dark horse to rise, symbolizing a new hope that will bring about change. The lyrics emphasize how their nation is wrapped in broken dreams, and unless something changes, all they will find is more.
The idea of broken dreams and the disillusionment of individuals who have given everything they had is carried throughout the song. The lines "In the ashes of our broken dreams we've lost sight of our goal," highlight the theme of how individuals have lost sight of their purpose and vision for freedom, and how charlatans have capitalized on the loss of life to sell a false dream. The song also speaks to the idea that the fight for freedom has led to the creation of new problems in society, as individuals have begun to turn against one another. The lyrics say, "the warriors spring from the earth to maim and kill their own," which symbolizes the division and discord in their community. Ultimately, the song speaks of the need for a new kind of leadership that will rise against this disillusionment and move towards rebuilding their society.
Line by Line Meaning
All those who died for liberty have heard the eagle scream
Those who have given their lives for freedom have experienced the ultimate sacrifice of war and its tumultuous violence.
All the ones who died for liberty have died but for a dream
Those who have perished for the cause of freedom did so with the hope of achieving an idealistic vision that may never come to fruition.
Oh then rise, rise, rise, dark horse on the wind
It is time to overcome adversity and opposition with courage and determination.
For in no nation on earth more broken dreams you'll find
There are few places in the world that have suffered as much as this one, with many aspirations and wishes still unfulfilled.
The flames leapt high, reached to the sky 'til they seared a nation's soul
The raging inferno burned so intensely that it scarred the country's spirit and deep-rooted beliefs.
In the ashes of our broken dreams we've lost sight of our goal
The remnants of shattered aspirations have obscured the bigger picture and caused us to forget our primary objective.
And help our hearts seek Róisín, our soul again to find
We need to rediscover our identity and innermost being; to heal ourselves from the wounds of the past and return to who we truly are.
Now charlatans wear dead men's shoes, aye and rattle dead men's bones
Those who lack authenticity and honesty stand on the graves of others, taking advantage of their misfortune and the legacy they have left behind.
"Ere the dust has settled on their tombs, they've sold the very stones
These same people will not hesitate to exploit even the smallest remnants of the past, without allowing any time for reflection or mourning.
For in no nation on the earth more Pharisees you'll find
This country is plagued by an excessive number of hypocrites and deceivers.
In grief and hate our motherland her dragon's teeth has sown
Our homeland has propagated a culture of bitterness and anger which has resulted in further division and animosity.
Now the warriors spring from the earth to maim and kill their own
Individuals and groups that want to use violence as a means of achieving their own objectives have emerged, regardless of the harm they cause to their own countrymen.
For the one-eyed Balor still reigns king in our nation of the blind
The tyrant still holds sway, perpetuating a system where the people cannot or will not see through the deception and fabrication.
Contributed by Taylor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.