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
Farewell Farewell
Mary Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You lonely travelers all
The cold north winds will blow again
The winding road does call.
And will you never return to see
Your bruised and beaten sons
Oh I would, I would if welcome I were
And will you never cut the cloth
Nor drink the light to be
And can you never swear a year
To anyone but he.
No I will never cut the cloth
Nor drink the light to be
But I'll swear a year to he who lies
Asleep alongside of me.
Farewell, farewell to you who would hear
You lonely travelers all
The cold north winds will blow again
The winding road does call.
Mary Black's song Farewell Farewell is a poignant tribute to people who are always on the road, whether in search of adventure or simply looking for their place in the world. The first stanza of the song sets the tone with a farewell to all those who would hear, the lonely travelers. The mood is somber as the singer acknowledges that the cold north winds will blow again, calling them back on their journey.
The second stanza is a lament for the sons of the people the singer is bidding farewell to. The singer wonders if they will ever return to see their bruised and beaten sons. The use of the word "bruised" suggests that these sons have suffered some kind of emotional or physical trauma that has left them broken. The third line of this stanza suggests that the singer is not welcome to return to see these sons, as they "loathe" her.
The third stanza is a series of questions directed at the people the singer is leaving behind. The singer asks if they will ever cut the cloth or drink the light to be, both metaphorical phrases suggesting that the people should live their lives to the fullest. The singer then asks if they can swear a year to anyone else but "he," leaving the identity of this person open to interpretation.
The final stanza is a repeat of the first, with the singer bidding farewell once again to the lonely travelers. The winding road does call, beckoning them to continue on their journey.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a life of constant movement, with people always on the go, never settling down in one place. The song acknowledges the difficulty that comes with never putting down roots, the pain of leaving loved ones behind, and the feeling of being unwanted or unloved. Yet, despite all this, the song seems to celebrate the spirit of adventure and the ultimate freedom that comes with living a life on the road.
Line by Line Meaning
Farewell, farewell to you who would hear
Goodbye to those who are willing to listen
You lonely travelers all
All of you who wander alone
The cold north winds will blow again
The chilly and gusty northern winds will come back
The winding road does call.
The twisting and turning paths are calling
And will you never return to see
Do you have no plans to come back and visit
Your bruised and beaten sons
Your wounded and victimized children
Oh I would, I would if welcome I were
I would if only they would welcome me
For they loathe me every one.
Since all of them intensely dislike me.
And will you never cut the cloth
Will you never sew the fabric
Nor drink the light to be
Nor toast to future prosperity
And can you never swear a year
Can't you commit to one whole year
To anyone but he.
Except to him
No I will never cut the cloth
No, I will never sew the fabric
Nor drink the light to be
Nor toast to future prosperity
But I'll swear a year to he who lies
However, I'll commit a year to the one who lies
Asleep alongside of me.
While sleeping next to me
Farewell, farewell to you who would hear
Goodbye to those who are willing to listen
You lonely travelers all
All of you who wander alone
The cold north winds will blow again
The chilly and gusty northern winds will come back
The winding road does call.
The twisting and turning paths are calling
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL EDWARD BLACK, KELIS ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A. Mancini
IMO one of the best interpretation of Mary Black, perfect execution, expressive, emotional, intense. Amazing.
Paul Lavan
The greatest cover of the immortal and glorious Sandy Denny that there ever could be. Thanks, Mary for your tribute to the greatest singer the world has ever seen.
AA MacKenzie
Mary's voice is exquisite in this tune -- thank you Mary for this treat! You are a song bird beyond compare.
Half Door Club
Mary Black for me is one of the finest Irish singers of all time yet I only saw her once in concert in Pedigree Corner 🇮🇪🎵😊💚
Old Man Flying
I don't think there could be a better tribute to Sandy than this perfect version of a timeless song.
siamterry
One of the most beautiful songs and finest renditions ever !
Rene Schuler
A música com esse arranjo, e interpretação ficou fantástica. 👏👏👏💯
Suzanne Lawson
This is an incredible cover; Mary's voice does this song so much justice.
John Morrissey
Mary Black at her best what more can you say . Just listen 👍
Peter
After all these years it still moves me. Just perfect