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 R贸is铆n is performing under the name R贸is铆n 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
R贸is铆n
Mary Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Half the time I'm so far gone not a word gets in
I'm here you're there okay but I just want to tell you
R贸is铆n
Which side of the coin we show is open to debate
Either way I accept what the wind brings
I'm here you're there okay but I just want to tell you
Is it the way that I'm too late?
If there's a chance you know I'll wait
R贸is铆n
Other hands claw but mine can be gentle
No bad blood within me
This is a thing so rare oh it's great to be near you
R贸is铆n r贸is铆n
If all is fair in love and war
Why am I here and you're so far?
R贸is铆n
My heart's beating under a cloud
I can't get away from you now
R贸is铆n
My heart's beating under a cloud
There's nothing out of it now
R贸is铆n r贸is铆n
The lyrics to Mary Black's song "R贸is铆n" express a feeling of distance and yearning for connection. The singer admits to being lost in their own thoughts, unable to fully engage with those around them. They address a person named R贸is铆n, whom they are separated from, and express a desire to communicate with them. The line "Either way I accept what the wind brings" suggests a resignation to fate and circumstance. The singer's tenderness towards R贸is铆n is emphasized in the line "Other hands claw but mine can be gentle," implying a sense of protection and care. The repetition of R贸is铆n's name throughout the song reflects a sense of longing and the deep desire to connect with this person.
The lyrics also explore themes of love and distance. The line "If all is fair in love and war, why am I here and you're so far?" suggests a feeling of injustice that occurs when love is stifled by distance. The idea of being unable to escape one's feelings is a recurring theme throughout the song. The line "My heart's beating under a cloud / I can't get away from you now" speaks to the all-consuming nature of emotion, and the feelings of love and longing are depicted as something that cannot be escaped.
Overall, the lyrics to "R贸is铆n" express a deep longing for connection, while also acknowledging the distance and obstacles that can sometimes come between us and those we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Half the time I don't even hear what people are saying
I'm often lost in my own thoughts and not paying attention to the world around me.
Half the time I'm so far gone not a word gets in
My mind is consumed with other things and I'm not receptive to what others are saying.
I'm here you're there okay but I just want to tell you
Although we are not together, there's something I need to share with you.
R贸is铆n
The person I want to speak with is named R贸is铆n.
Which side of the coin we show is open to debate
It's subjective what perspective we choose to display in situations.
Either way I accept what the wind brings
I'm open to whatever outcome happens, even if it's not what I hoped for.
R贸is铆n r贸is铆n
This desire to speak with R贸is铆n persists.
Is it the way that I'm too late?
I'm questioning whether I've missed my chance or opportunity.
If there's a chance you know I'll wait
I'm willing to be patient and wait for the possibility of that chance again.
Other hands claw but mine can be gentle
Others may be forceful or aggressive, but I have the capability to be soft and tender.
No bad blood within me
I don't hold any grudges or resentment towards anyone.
This is a thing so rare oh it's great to be near you
The feeling of being close to you is uncommon and highly valued.
If all is fair in love and war
The saying 'all is fair in love and war' is a cliche that doesn't always ring true.
Why am I here and you're so far?
I'm wondering why we're not together when I wish we were.
My heart's beating under a cloud
There's a feeling of uncertainty or unease weighing on me.
I can't get away from you now
Your presence is emotionally overwhelming and I can't shake it.
There's nothing out of it now
There's nothing that can be done at this point to change the situation.
R贸is铆n r贸is铆n
The desire to speak with R贸is铆n continues to persist.
Contributed by David D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rachel Emery
Absolutely love this song it's one of my favourite songs and now holds so many memories xxxx
David Bosquette
Same here 鈽橈笍馃挌馃嚠馃嚜
carolanne,ok
I would love to hear the original version of this song , It was beautiful ,
bazbee
The original was on the No Frontiers album. What makes this version is the dominant simple piano and drums - it's a masterpiece. Here's a clip original https://www.mary-black.net/album.php?id=67
carolanne,ok
bazbee Thank you so much ,
scenscof7
this song was written by the late and great noel brazil. mary has done a lot of his songs there is a version with noel singing with mary .
Roisin Breslin
How do I find the version with the man singing this song with her?
bazbee
+Roisin Breslin I've not heard another recorded version but I'm sure the Black family include it in their massive live聽repertoire.
Julie Tissue
Roisin Breslin. The other version in on "The Collection" album. I think Noel Brazil is singing on that version.
C M
Roisin Breslin pm me an I will email you the one with Noel Brazil singing with Mary