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
Lay Down Your Burden
Mary Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They ought to tell you at the start
But it's warm as toast walking two by two
Lay down the burden of your heart
[Chorus]
Lay down the burden of your heart
I know you'll never miss it
And let your mammy kiss it
It's a fine, fine line between love and hate
It's hard to tell the two apart
But what strength I have, I offer you
Lay down the burden of your heart
[Chorus: x2]
Mary Black's song Lay Down Your Burden speaks to the struggles and hardships that we all encounter in life. The opening line, "It's a cold, old world that we're walking through" immediately sets the somber tone for the rest of the song. Black acknowledges that life is tough, but there is hope in finding someone to walk through it with - "But it's warm as toast walking two by two." She encourages the listener to let go of their emotional burdens, saying "Lay down the burden of your heart." She suggests that we don't need all the weight we carry with us, and that it's possible to walk lighter and find comfort in someone else's embrace.
In the chorus, Black repeats the invitation to let go of our heavy hearts. She reassures the listener that they won't miss their burden and that she's there to offer comfort - "Just show me, angel, where it hurts and let your mammy kiss it." Black acknowledges the complexity of emotions, recognizing that love and hate are only separated by a fine line. However, she offers what strength she has to alleviate some of the pain and to help carry the emotional load.
The song is a beautiful and poignant reminder that vulnerability and reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Black's voice is soothing and empathetic, offering comfort to those who are struggling with the weight of their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a cold, old world that we're walking through
The world is a harsh place and we should all be aware of it from the start.
They ought to tell you at the start
People should prepare you for how tough the world can be.
But it's warm as toast walking two by two
Having someone to share the journey with can bring comfort and warmth to the heart.
Lay down the burden of your heart
Let go of the pain that you carry in your heart and find freedom.
Lay down the burden of your heart
Repeating the same advice to encourage one to let go of emotional baggage.
I know you'll never miss it
Assurance that one can let go of the emotional pain and not regret it.
Just show me, angel, where it hurts
Open up and let someone in, to share the pain and offer comfort.
And let your mammy kiss it
Let someone who loves and cares for you comfort and heal your hurt.
It's a fine, fine line between love and hate
Love and hate are closely related emotions and can be difficult to distinguish between.
It's hard to tell the two apart
It can be confusing and challenging to differentiate between love and hate.
But what strength I have, I offer you
Offering the strength and support that someone needs during difficult times.
Lay down the burden of your heart
Repeating the same advice to encourage one to let go of emotional baggage.
Lay down the burden of your heart
Repeating the same advice to encourage one to let go of emotional baggage.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maureen Smith
on Bruach na Carraige Baine
So beautiful!