Black was born into a musical family. Her father had been a fiddler, her mother a singer, and her brothers have their own group. She sang in her family's group in her youth.
In 1975 Black joined a small folk band called General Humbert, with whom she toured Europe and released two albums, in 1975 and 1978. In 1982 she developed a professional relationship with musician/producer Declan Sinnott and recorded her first solo album, Mary Black.
She went on to play in other groups including the traditional Irish band De Dannan from 1984-1986. After 1986 she had a successful solo career where she went on to try contemporary styles ranging from jazz to country. She was named "Best Female Artist" in the IRMA poll in 1987, 1988, 1992, 1994 and 1996.
She is married to Joe O'Reilly of Dara Records and they have three children. Her son Danny is a member of the Irish rock band The Coronas, while her daughter Róisín is performing under the name Róisín O.
For a number of years, "What Hi-Fi?" magazine considered Black's voice to be so pure that it was used as an audiophile benchmark for comparing the sound quality of different high fidelity systems.
Discography
* 1983 Mary Black
* 1984 Collected
* 1985 Without the Fanfare
* 1987 By the Time it Gets Dark
* 1989 No Frontiers
* 1991 Babes in the Wood
* 1992 The Collection
* 1993 The Holy Ground
* 1995 Circus
* 1997 Shine
* 1999 Speaking with the Angel
* 2001 The Best of Mary Black 1991-2001 & Hidden Harvest
* 2003 Mary Black Live
* 2005 Full Tide
* 2008 Twenty-Five Years Twenty-Five Songs
* 2011 Stories from the Steeples
Babes in the Wood
Mary Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big bad wolf at the window
Not much choice in the matter now
Some must lead some must follow
Touch can mean distance to some people
Touch can mean prison or be like a cage
I always thought that life could be more simple
Babes in the wood walking through' snow
Big bad wolf at the window
Not much choice in the matter now
Some must lead some must follow
They got the time they got the need
The world's getting weird the wolf's running free
But that's another story this their story
Babes in the wood eager and keen
Soft as the fern underneath them
Wet to the skin from their own hot glow
No more wolf at the window
Touch can mean distance to some people
Touch can mean I own you forever and a day
If only life could be more simple
Specially in this day and age
Babes in the wood walking through' snow
Big bad wolf at the window
Not much choice in the matter now
Some must lead some must follow
But touch can be a blessing to other people
Touch can bring blossom to things that decay
I think life should be that simple
Specially in this day and age
Babes in the wood walking through' snow
Big bad wolf at the window
Not much choice in the matter now
Some must lead some must follow
The song "Babes in the Wood" by Mary Black is a reflective anthem about the complexities of touch and the troubles of life. The lyrics paint a vivid image of two young children walking through the snow, with the looming presence of a "big bad wolf" at their window. Despite the fear and uncertainty that they face, the children are depicted as eager and full of energy, soft like the ferns below them. They are sweaty and wet, but their own hot glow keeps them warm.
The lyrics suggest that touch can have differing meanings to different people. To some, touch can mean distance or imprisonment, while to others it can bring life and renewal to decaying things. In this day and age, life can seem more complicated than ever, with a growing sense of chaos and disorder in the world. Despite this, the song emphasizes the importance of keeping things simple and finding joy in the moment.
Overall, "Babes in the Wood" is a contemplative and thought-provoking song that encourages the listener to reflect on the complexities of life and the importance of finding beauty and meaning in even the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
Babes in the wood walking through' snow
Two young, innocent people walking in the snow-covered woods
Big bad wolf at the window
An ominous presence lurking in the background, causing fear and anxiety
Not much choice in the matter now
Feeling compelled to continue despite the risk and uncertainty
Some must lead some must follow
The importance of leadership and cooperation in challenging situations
Touch can mean distance to some people
Different people have different interpretations of physical contact
Touch can mean prison or be like a cage
Touch can be constricting and restricting for some
I always thought that life could be more simple
The desire for a less complicated life
Specially in this day and age
Particularly given the current state of the world
They got the time they got the need
Having the opportunity and motivation to pursue their goals
The world's getting weird the wolf's running free
The world is becoming increasingly unpredictable and dangerous
But that's another story this their story
Acknowledging that every individual has their own unique experiences and challenges
Babes in the wood eager and keen
Optimistic and enthusiastic despite the difficulties ahead
Soft as the fern underneath them
Gentle and delicate like the vegetation they are walking on
Wet to the skin from their own hot glow
Experiencing physical exertion and excitement
No more wolf at the window
Overcoming the external threats and obstacles
But touch can be a blessing to other people
Physical contact can also be positive and comforting
Touch can bring blossom to things that decay
Physical contact can revive and rejuvenate things that are fading away
I think life should be that simple
A belief that life should have a greater focus on simplicity and positivity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@celticmyst1169
hope she will sing this next Friday too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ivorytower71
Great to hear this again. Thank you so much!
@belindajoubert3433
Love this song ❤ thanks for the share #belindajoubert
@d.joseph4356
I love this song
@cybertuber3
beautiful!!
@johnhynes2667
Brilliant
@cybertuber3
lot a love from BiH
@simonellard3160
Gowan mehhhhry!!
@johnsports2203
Fucken deadly ☘️☘️☘️
@markbosy2065
Miss heard lyrics they got the means