At the age of 19, Nick moved to Havana, Cuba to study music and art. On returning to the UK, Nick enrolled at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies to study Ethnomusicology. In 2011, he left Portico Quartet to pursue his career as a solo singer-songwriter .
He released two EPs, The Trellis (Communion Records 2012) and Fever to the Form (Communion Records 2013), before his debut full-length First Mind landed on 12 May 2014. The album received a 2014 Mercury Music Prize nomination and was promoted with the singles Cucurucu and Meet me there.
Myela
Nick Mulvey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Troubled by the images I've seen
Eighteen months ago
They left their homes in the rubble of Mayadeen
God only knows the pain you feel to leave your country looking for a home
But they'd rather die once in the sea than dying everyday a little more
They came to Lebanon
With another million desperate souls
Sing with Ibrahim and all the families at the Valley of Bekaa
God only knows the pain he'd feel to leave behind Fareesa and Adeel
But they said better to die once in the sea than dying everyday you stay
Here with me
Myela, Myela, Myela, Myela
Her name is Sonda Jade
Twenty-one years old, she's Sudanese
She's four months pregnant now
Alone in Lampedusa, Sicily
God only knows how she survived, so many other families have died
She says, "Please help me find a way to stay and give a future to the child I carry inside"
Myela, Myela, Myela, Myela
Oh, help me in my hopelessness and free me from the cage of civilization
Save me from my selfishness and my indifference to my neighbor
I am your neighbor, you are my neighbor
I am your neighbor, you are my neighbor
I am your neighbor, you are my neighbor
I am your neighbor, you are my neighbor
(I am your neighbor, you are my neighbor)
Freedom from the cage of this supposed civilization
(I am your neighbor, you are my neighbor)
Freedom from the cage of this supposed civilization
(I am your neighbor, you are my neighbor)
Freedom from the cage of this supposed civilization
(I am your neighbor, you are my neighbor)
Freedom from the cage of this supposed civilization
I am your neighbor, you are my neighbor
I am your neighbor, you are my neighbor
Myela, Myela
(Myela, Myela, Myela, Myela)
Freedom from the cage of this supposed civilization
Freedom from the cage of this supposed civilization
Freedom from the cage of this supposed civilization
Freedom from the cage of this supposed civilization
Myela, Myela
Come and get me, come and get me
Come and get me, come and get me
If you can, if you can
Come and get me, come and get me
Come and get me, come and get me
If you can, if you can
The song "Myela" by British singer-songwriter Nick Mulvey is a haunting reflection on the plight of refugees who have had to flee their homes and countries in search of safety, often risking their lives in the process. The title of the song, "Myela", is a term used by African migrants to refer to their journey to Europe, which is often undertaken by sea and is fraught with danger. Through the lyrics, Mulvey describes the experiences of some of these refugees, highlighting their courage and resilience in the face of unimaginable peril.
The song begins with Mulvey admitting that he is troubled by the images he has seen of refugees who have been forced to leave behind everything they know and love. He then describes the journey of some refugees who left their homes in Mayadeen, a city in Syria that has been devastated by war, and risked everything to reach Lebanon. Mulvey acknowledges that he can only imagine the pain that these refugees have gone through, but he admires their courage to continue to seek a better life, even if it means risking everything.
The second verse focuses on Sonda Jade, a pregnant Sudanese woman who has fled her country and is now alone in Lampedusa, Sicily. Mulvey again admires her bravery, noting that she has survived where so many others have not. However, he also highlights the desperation and fear that Sonda must be feeling, as she pleads for help to find a way to stay and give her child a better future. The chorus then emphasizes the need for empathy and compassion, as Mulvey implores listeners to see refugees as their neighbors and to understand their struggles as their own.
Overall, "Myela" is a powerful and moving reflection on the refugee crisis, calling for greater awareness and understanding of the struggles faced by those who have been forced to leave their homes in search of safety and a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
It's in my mind again
The singer remembers the tragic events that compelled people to leave their homes
Troubled by the images I've seen
The singer is disturbed by the tragic images of people fleeing their homes
Eighteen months ago
Refers to the time when the tragic events occurred
They left their homes in the rubble of Mayadeen
People had to flee their homes due to destruction caused by the conflict in Mayadeen
God only knows the pain you feel to leave your country looking for a home
Leaving one's country in search of a new home is a painful experience
But they'd rather die once in the sea than dying everyday a little more
People would rather risk their lives by crossing the sea than to face death everyday due to the conflict
They came to Lebanon
People fled their homes and went to Lebanon as refugees
With another million desperate souls
Like them, there were a million other refugees in Lebanon, desperate for a new home
Sing with Ibrahim and all the families at the Valley of Bekaa
The singer mentions families who took refuge in the Valley of Bekaa and sing with Ibrahim (the singer is asking the listeners to join them)
God only knows the pain he'd feel to leave behind Fareesa and Adeel
Leaving behind loved ones in search of a new home is a painful experience
But they said better to die once in the sea than dying everyday you stay
Here with me
People would rather risk their lives by crossing the sea than to face death everyday due to the conflict
Her name is Sonda Jade
The singer mentions a pregnant woman named Sonda Jade
Twenty-one years old, she's Sudanese
She's four months pregnant now
Alone in Lampedusa, Sicily
Sonda Jade is a 21-year-old Sudanese who is four months pregnant, currently alone in Lampedusa, Sicily
God only knows how she survived, so many other families have died
The singer acknowledges the many who perished on their journey to a new home, making Sonda Jade's survival miraculous
She says, "Please help me find a way to stay and give a future to the child I carry inside"
Sonda Jade requests help to find a new home and create a better future for her unborn child
Oh, help me in my hopelessness and free me from the cage of civilization
The singer asks for help in his despair and to be liberated from the constraints of civilization
Save me from my selfishness and my indifference to my neighbor
The singer wants to be freed from his self-centered nature and disregard for others
I am your neighbor, you are my neighbor
Everyone is a neighbor to someone else and should be treated with respect and empathy
Freedom from the cage of this supposed civilization
The singer desires to be free from the societal norms that give rise to the refugee crisis
Myela, Myela
Myela is a name or expression of hope and unity
Come and get me, come and get me
If you can, if you can
The singer is challenging those who can help refugees to take action and assist those in need
Writer(s): Nick Mulvey, Dean Tracy Brodrick, Federico Bruno
Contributed by Lauren B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jim Miles
Great animation, beautiful music. Top job Nick and Majid!
Clara Gragnic
Everything makes sense...the lyrics, the melody, the rythm and now this video are trully beautiful and harmonious. It speaks to me and will speaks to a lot of people I hope.
Thank you 🙏
dariflocke
Saw it today in Venice and really touched by it! Thank you for sharing this with the world!
Barbara Cardenales
I love you so much and enjoy all of your creations...my dream is to be on the concert of the 3rd of November but I'm from the Caribbean and can't afford it..but still is my dream...thanks for being such and inspiration...I love your work since the begging.. great energy and we are all neighbors...don't ever forget that..we are citizens of this world 🌎 ♥️✨👣
Olly
Powerful song and beautiful animation, will share!
Harvito Septani
deep message, deep video, so breathtaking
Hans Johnson
Majid's work is AMAZING!
Team Fun
This is profound in many aspects! I am moved...
Maisie Kate
This is just amazing in every way
Alex Mason
Amazing in sooo many ways