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
Crusader
Mary Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a no man's land
Between alice springs and the ocean
Seventeen hundred miles of burning sand
And a silken thread keeps a hold on you
When the emptieness like a potion tends to fray your reason strand by strand
And there's no more need for the mask your wear
When the last goodbyes have been said
And turn to the desert ahead
Now you're on your own like a sailing ship
You're the captain, crew and sailors
Turn around and this is what you see
Chorus
This me facing me all alone
'cause I choose to be with the wind and the sun on me only me
Now you dream so much about being lost
Your ghost by a coolebah sleeping
Haunts you and whispers in your ear
Give up give up this lonely road
No one knows the promise you're keeping
You can't touch the emptiness out here
But the grace that mends this broken wing
The blue sky to regain
Will lift those feet and raise those eyes
To face the desert again
As the dawn reveals the journey's end
In truth it's only beginning
And it's as big as your eyes wish to see
Chorus
The lyrics of Mary Black's song Crusader speak about a journey through the Australian wilderness, specifically the vast expanse of desert between Alice Springs and the ocean. The first stanza describes the treacherous nature of the desert and its ability to fray one's reason when faced with its emptiness. The persona in the song acknowledges the danger of the journey, but chooses to face it alone, as the captain, crew, and sailors of their own 'sailing ship.'
The second stanza reveals the ghostly presence of doubt, which haunts the persona and urges them to give up on their solitary journey. However, the persona in the song is fueled by an unnamed promise that only they know and is determined to keep going. The final stanza speaks of the journey's end, which in fact marks only the beginning of the path ahead. The persona acknowledges the immensity of their journey, but is determined to face it with eyes wide open.
Overall, Mary Black's Crusader speaks to the resilience and determination of the human spirit in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It acknowledges the power of doubt and the importance of perseverance in one's personal journey, no matter how trying the path ahead may be.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a wilderness
Referring to the vast and empty expanse of land between Alice Springs and the ocean.
It's a no man's land
An area that is deserted and uninhabited by humans.
Between alice springs and the ocean
Specifically identifying the location of the wilderness being described.
Seventeen hundred miles of burning sand
Highlighting the daunting and treacherous nature of the journey across the vast expanse of land with extreme heat and sandstorms.
And a silken thread keeps a hold on you
A metaphorical reference to the ties and obligations that bind one to their life before embarking on the lonely journey through the wilderness.
When the emptiness like a potion tends to fray your reason strand by strand
The character experiences the isolation of the wilderness deeply, and the mental impact of the void and loneliness can be overwhelming.
And there's no more need for the mask your wear
The character is free to be themselves without societal pressures or expectations once they are alone in the wilderness.
When the last goodbyes have been said
Assuming that the character has already taken leave of civilization before embarking on the journey through the wilderness.
So kiss the cheeks of you dearest friends
A dramatic way to say farewell to loved ones before facing the loneliness of the wilderness.
And turn to the desert ahead
The character chooses to move forward and face what is before them rather than dwell on what has been left behind.
Now you're on your own like a sailing ship
The character is now independent with no external support, like a solo sailor on a ship in the vast ocean.
You're the captain, crew and sailors
The character is entirely responsible for their own journey in the wilderness.
Turn around and this is what you see
Encouraging the character to face their journey with courage and determination.
This me facing me all alone
Reflecting on the deep introspection that one undergoes when alone in the wilderness and facing oneself.
'cause I choose to be with the wind and the sun on me only me
Choosing to embrace the wilderness journey and the solitude it entails to reconnect with oneself.
Now you dream so much about being lost
Pondering the idea of being lost in the wilderness and the allure it holds for some.
Your ghost by a coolebah sleeping
A metaphorical reference to one's fears and worries that haunt them even while sleeping or resting in the wilderness.
Haunts you and whispers in your ear
The fears and doubts of being alone begin to encroach on the character's mind, leading to whispers of giving up or turning back.
Give up give up this lonely road
A plea of fear, wanting to turn back and abandon the journey through the wilderness.
No one knows the promise you're keeping
Secretly, the character has a goal or hope that no one else knows about or understands.
You can't touch the emptiness out here
Despite being in the vast and empty wilderness, the character is unable to escape the void and loneliness they feel.
But the grace that mends this broken wing
Hoping for a grace or divine intervention that will help heal the character's wounds and give them the strength to continue.
The blue sky to regain
Looking up to the blue sky as a symbol of hope and a reminder of the beauty in the world.
Will lift those feet and raise those eyes
The character will be filled with the strength to continue their journey and look up to what lies ahead.
To face the desert again
Once again mustering the courage to face the challenges of the wilderness journey.
As the dawn reveals the journey's end
The end of the wilderness journey is in sight as a new day dawns.
In truth it's only beginning
Reflecting on how the end of the wilderness journey marks the beginning of a new chapter in life.
And it's as big as your eyes wish to see
Reminding the character that there are endless possibilities and opportunities beyond the wilderness journey, and they only need to be open to seeing them.
Chorus
Repeating the chorus as a reminder to embrace the journey and the solitude that comes with it to reconnect with oneself.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MICHAEL JOHN HANLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chrisberkeley6921
Song references Robyn Davidson's trek across Central Australia. Originally recorded by Mary Black.