Dé Danann were first to find her - see her web site www.mauraoconnell.com for more information.
Blue Chalk
Maura O'Connell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hate it when the rumors fly
They give off such a strange sense of mission
Wing your helplessness on high
But she would never run from strangers
She sang alone like a bell will toll
Way above the clang and the clatter
Maybe none of this is my business
And none of what I hear is true
I am far from the mint condition
Circulation's hard on you
Chorus:
Hold tight, hang tough
Love's not enough
To keep you off that stuff
To save you...(2X)...to save you now
He could always find the holes in the bottles
Even with a blindfold on
Never kept his seat on the wagon
Rolling off like a rolling stone
Blue chalk between his fingers
Hustling a poolroom song
He always kept a line for the singer
Pointing his cue right from wrong
Chorus
Repeat first verse
In Maura O'Connell's song Blue Chalk, the lyrics talk about the singer's concern for someone else's wellbeing amidst rumors and judgment. She wonders how this person is doing and reflects on the strange sense of mission that comes with spreading rumors. The singer acknowledges that the person in question would never run from strangers but is dealing with their own demons alone. The lyrics also suggest that the singer knows that perhaps none of this is their business and that what they hear might not even be true. Despite this, the singer realizes that they are not in mint condition and are struggling with their own challenges while trying to help others.
The chorus of the song speaks about holding tight and hanging tough while recognizing that love is not always enough to save someone from their addictions. The second verse is from the perspective of someone else dealing with their own addiction. They are described as someone who always finds the holes in bottles even when blindfolded and can never keep their seat on the wagon of sobriety for long. The blue chalk between their fingers suggests that they are in a pool hall hustling for their next fix, but the lyrics suggest that they always kept a line for the singer, pointing them towards what is right and wrong.
Overall, Blue Chalk is a reflection on addiction, friendship, and judgment. It talks about the struggles of those dealing with addiction and how difficult it can be to help while dealing with one's emotional and mental struggles. It also speaks to the importance of having someone who can point us in the right direction.
Line by Line Meaning
So I wonder how she's doing
I am curious about her well-being
I hate it when the rumors fly
I dislike when unfounded gossip spreads
They give off such a strange sense of mission
Rumors seem to have a purpose or goal that is unclear
Wing your helplessness on high
Allow vulnerability to take flight and be exposed
But she would never run from strangers
She would not be afraid of unknown people
She sang alone like a bell will toll
Her solo singing was clear and resonant
Way above the clang and the clatter
Her voice rose above the noise and commotion
Out of fear of her demon soul
To avoid confronting her inner demons
Maybe none of this is my business
Perhaps I should not be concerned with this situation
And none of what I hear is true
The information I receive may not be accurate
I am far from the mint condition
I am not in perfect working order
Circulation's hard on you
Life's challenges can be difficult to manage
Chorus: Hold tight, hang tough
Stay strong and persevere
Love's not enough
Love alone cannot solve all problems
To keep you off that stuff
To prevent addiction or harmful behavior
To save you...(2X)...to save you now
To rescue or help someone in need
He could always find the holes in the bottles
He had a knack for discovering imperfections in liquor bottles
Even with a blindfold on
Even without sight or awareness
Never kept his seat on the wagon
He never stayed committed to sobriety
Rolling off like a rolling stone
Continuing to move or change direction without a set path
Blue chalk between his fingers
Holding onto a tool or prop commonly used in pool halls
Hustling a poolroom song
Taking advantage of patrons in a game of pool while singing a tune
He always kept a line for the singer
He reserved a cue stick for the vocalist
Pointing his cue right from wrong
Using the stick to direct or guide his actions towards morality
Chorus
Repeating the previous chorus
Repeat first verse
Repeating the initial stanza
Contributed by Lincoln V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TadRapidly
stellar. This whole album is sick.
@michaelmyers8501
Maura ROCKS
@kathyholli50
I love this song...what a fantastic singer!
@elmarseel1463
Wondwerful song and singer