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
Your Love
Mary Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I turn around you're not here
I know it's my time to lead
But the emptiness inside leaves me weak
Chorus
So now I see now you've been freed
You'll always be near like you were all those years
'Cause I've learned from the best
And I've always been blessed with your love
We gathered round for your last breath
Talked with you while you slept
Somehow I know you'll be all right
The perfect end to a perfect life
Then in a moment it all becomes so clear
I want so much to tell you
But you're no longer here
Chorus
So now I see now you've been freed
That you'll always be near like you were all those years
And now I breathe the life you leave
'Cause I've learned from the best
And I've always been blessed with your love
Mary Black's song "Your Love" is a poignant and emotionally charged piece that speaks of a loss that is both personal and universal. The song is rooted in the theme of loss, particularly the loss of a loved one. The lyrics speak of how it is hard to express one's emotions when someone you care about is no longer here. It is a reflection on the idea that even though a person may no longer be physically present, they are still near in spirit and memory.
The opening lines of the song, "How can I say what I feel? When I turn around you're not here" capture the essence of the sadness and despair that follows after loss. The singer comes to terms with their own mortality and how time is fleeting. The emptiness inside that leaves them weak is a representation of the void that death leaves behind. However, the chorus of the song 'So now I see now you've been freed' is a hopeful note that speaks of how the love between people doesn't have to end with death, how it can transcend time and space.
The song's final verse is an acknowledgment of how the memories we create with our loved ones are what keep them alive in our hearts long after they have passed on. The line "And now I breathe the life you gave" speaks of how the legacy of a loved one can live on through the people whose lives they touched. The song is powerful and beautiful, and it speaks to anyone who has experienced the pain of losing someone close to them.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I say what I feel?
Expressing my deepest emotions feels overwhelming and difficult.
When I turn around you're not here
I feel your absence constantly, as if you're always just out of reach.
I know it's my time to lead
I'm at a point where I need to be the one guiding others forward.
But the emptiness inside leaves me weak
Despite my role in leading, I am still struggling internally with the void you left.
We gathered round for your last breath
We were with you until the very end of your life.
Talked with you while you slept
Even though you were unconscious, we still wanted to be near you and speak to you.
Somehow I know you'll be all right
I have a strong sense that you are at peace and everything is okay now.
The perfect end to a perfect life
Your life was lived to its fullest, and its conclusion was fitting for the person you were.
Then in a moment it all becomes so clear
Suddenly, everything becomes obvious and I understand what you meant to me.
I want so much to tell you
There are many things I wish I could express to you, but cannot.
But you're no longer here
Your absence means that I am unable to share these feelings with you.
So now I see now you've been freed
I understand that you are no longer suffering and are at peace.
You'll always be near like you were all those years
Even though you are gone, I will always carry you with me and feel your presence.
And now I breathe the life you gave
Despite your passing, I remember the way you lived and use that as inspiration for my own life.
'Cause I've learned from the best
You were an incredible teacher and role model, and I learned so much from you.
And I've always been blessed with your love
Above all else, I have been fortunate to have had your unconditional love throughout my life.
Contributed by Gavin T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Brown
How can I say what I feel?
When I turn around you're not here
I know it's my time to lead
But the emptiness inside leaves me weak
Chorus
So now I see now you've been freed
You'll always be near like you were all those years
And now I breathe the life you gave
'Cause I've learned from the best
And I've always been blessed with your love
We gathered round for your last breath
Talked with you while you slept
Somehow I know you'll be all right
The perfect end to a perfect life
Then in a moment it all becomes so clear
I want so much to tell you
But you're no longer here
Chorus (x2)
jim trapp
I still love her voice and her music!
vernondojo
Mary's concert in Morristown 2007 was just wonderful! Not a day goes by that I don't treat myself to her beautiful voice.
Gloria Donaghey
Mary you are my favorite Irish singer of all time. A lovely tribute to your late Mum. Hope you write some more of your own in future. Myself and my two sisters were with my Dad when he passed on and your words apply in our case too. I love all your family of talented singers
nick wright
Such a beautiful song and beautifully sung. Thanks for posting.
Please listen to " Our love will endure the writers". Thank you.
jim trapp
Why oh why do I love her voice and song style so much. I don't usually think of this song but when I play it I then binge on it and play it 6 or 7 times in a row.
Bebe Kelly
My favourite singer, you have given me so much joy over the years.
Will Molloy
My wife and I went to see Mary in Morristown in 2007.It would have been the fourth birthday of our little Owen,who died aged 10 months in 2004.We asked Mary to dedicate a song to him...and she sang this one..for her late mother and our little boy..very moving,Thank you JasonKT for uploading this,,,
Frank Mccabe
Thanks to All.My Family in Heaven and all my Friends up there,for nursing me last 2 Weeks x x x
Queen B
Beautiful words......
Paul Brown
How can I say what I feel?
When I turn around you're not here
I know it's my time to lead
But the emptiness inside leaves me weak
Chorus
So now I see now you've been freed
You'll always be near like you were all those years
And now I breathe the life you gave
'Cause I've learned from the best
And I've always been blessed with your love
We gathered round for your last breath
Talked with you while you slept
Somehow I know you'll be all right
The perfect end to a perfect life
Then in a moment it all becomes so clear
I want so much to tell you
But you're no longer here
Chorus (x2)