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
Sparks Might Fly
Mary Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see not fault in watching her bloom
She knows where fire begins and where sparks might fly
Yet I feel she may be consumed.
She done turns on the be stage
She shook hands when the shoe fit
I wanna know how the land lies
I did not steal away when love rode by
I did not let myself be unkind
It's so heard to say where love meets lust
I often think I'm losing my mind.
I trade notes with the press league
They send back their suggestions
I wanna know where I come from
But all I get are directions.
Chorus
I can't get started, can't get pain
What's wrong?
Big ideas, the find intentions
They're all gone
It takes two flagons of courage
Pounds, shillings and pence
You wind up going nowhere
It doesn't make sense.
I see my brother's face grow dark with care
I spend my time avoiding his gaze
I pray that God might make his dreams come true
I'd give so much to feel he's been saved.
A bright spark in the playground
Dead loss as an anchor
You don't call him a misfit
He's just stuck for an answer.
Chorus (2)
The song "Sparks Might Fly" by Mary Black is a complex and thought-provoking piece with lyrics that are open to interpretation. At first glance, the lyrics might suggest a relationship between a man and a younger woman, but on closer inspection, the song may be interpreted differently. The lyrics "I cannot stop this child from touching me, I see no fault in watching her bloom" may be interpreted as the singer's fascination with younger, more innocent and carefree version of themselves. The singer acknowledges that they feel like they might be consumed by this fascination with the past and all that it represents.
The second stanza, "She done turns on the big stage, she shook hands when the shoe fit, I wanna know how the land lies, I'll let you in on a secret," might suggest that the singer is perhaps a musician or performer, looking for direction or guidance. The subsequent stanzas continue to explore the singer's inner thoughts and feelings, with lines like "I often think I'm losing my mind" expressing the confusion and complexity of emotions.
The overall message of the song may be interpreted as a reflection on the past, on relationships and on how we are all products of our experiences. The song skillfully conveys this message through its lyrics, which are both evocative and ambiguous.
Line by Line Meaning
I cannot stop this child from touching me
I am fascinated by this young girl and cannot resist her charm.
I see not fault in watching her bloom
I find nothing wrong in admiring her growth and development.
She knows where fire begins and where sparks might fly
She is aware of the dangers involved in exploring her passions and desires.
Yet I feel she may be consumed.
However, I worry that she may be overwhelmed and destroyed by the intensity of her own feelings.
She done turns on the be stage
She is a skilled performer on stage.
She shook hands when the shoe fit
She knows how to make connections and succeed in her career.
I wanna know how the land lies
I want to know the truth about my situation and what is going on around me.
I'll let you in on a secret.
I have something to tell you that is not widely known.
I did not steal away when love rode by
I did not let the opportunity for love pass me by.
I did not let myself be unkind
I made an effort to be kind to others and not let negative emotions control me.
It's so heard to say where love meets lust
It is difficult to distinguish between genuine love and mere physical attraction.
I often think I'm losing my mind.
I frequently feel overwhelmed and uncertain about my own thoughts and emotions.
I trade notes with the press league
I exchange information with other members of the media.
They send back their suggestions
They provide feedback and ideas on my work.
I wanna know where I come from
I want to understand my own upbringing and history.
But all I get are directions.
However, all I receive are vague and unhelpful instructions.
Chorus
Refrain containing the main message of the song.
I can't get started, can't get pain
I am struggling to get motivated and to find purpose in my life.
What's wrong?
I am unsure why I feel this way and what is causing my lack of direction.
Big ideas, the find intentions
I have many plans and goals, but struggle to put them into action.
They're all gone
However, I have lost the inspiration and drive to pursue them.
It takes two flagons of courage
It requires a lot of bravery and determination to overcome my fears and challenges.
Pounds, shillings and pence
Money and material possessions are not enough to find true happiness and satisfaction.
You wind up going nowhere
If you focus solely on money and material possessions, you will not find fulfillment in life.
It doesn't make sense.
It is illogical to prioritize wealth over personal growth and fulfillment.
I see my brother's face grow dark with care
I am concerned about my brother's well-being and see that he is struggling.
I spend my time avoiding his gaze
However, I do not know how to help him and often withdraw from him.
I pray that God might make his dreams come true
I hope that my brother can find happiness and success in his life.
I'd give so much to feel he's been saved.
I would do anything to see him happy and fulfilled in life.
A bright spark in the playground
A young child who shows promise and potential.
Dead loss as an anchor
However, as they grow older, they struggle to achieve success and are held back by their own limitations.
You don't call him a misfit
However, it is important to recognize and appreciate their unique qualities and strengths.
He's just stuck for an answer.
They may be unsure how to succeed or find fulfillment in their life.
Chorus (2)
Refrain containing the main message of the song.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maureen Smith
on Bruach na Carraige Baine
So beautiful!