She sang backing vocals on the Van Halen song "Could This Be Magic?" and on Neil Young's recording of Ian Tyson's folk classic "Four Strong Winds".
Born in Helena, Montana, Larson got her start singing with Hoyt Axton's band and Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. She worked as a session vocalist for Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Michael McDonald, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Neil Young, Christopher Cross, Little Feat, Mary Kay Place, The Dirt Band, The Beach Boys and The Doobie Brothers. In 1979, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. She also had a minor role in the 1988 film Twins.
In December 1997, she died in Los Angeles from complications arising from a cerebral edema at the age of 45. She was survived by her husband Russell Kunkel and her daughter Elsie May Larson-Kunkel (born 1990), who has also found some entertainment experience.
Larson is buried in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Irish Lullaby
Nicolette Larson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The silent twilights fall
Eeval from the Grey Rock comes
To wrap the world in thrall.
A lyan van o my child my joy
My love and heart's desire.
The crickets sing you lullaby
Beside the dying fire
Is wreathed in rings of fog
Sheevra sails his boat till morn
Alone the starry bog
A lyan van o, the paly moon
Hath brimmed her cusp in dew
And weeps to hear the sad sleep tune
I sing o love to you
A lyan van o, the paly moon
Hath brimmed her cusp in dew
And weeps to hear the sad sleep tune
I sing o love to you
Nicolette Larson's "Irish Lullaby" is a beautiful melody that drips with poetic lyricism. The song describes a serene and peaceful place. It depicts an Irish night setting where the crickets sing softly alongside a dying fire, as dusk slowly descends, and the Green Mans' thorn is wreathed in rings of fog. The opening line, "Sleep o babe for the red bee hums" delivers a soothing sensation to the listener, and sets the tone of the song. The lullaby-like melody of the song backs up the slow, gentle melody, and provides a sense of security and protection.
The chorus in the song, "A lyan van o my child my joy/My love and heart's desire" serves as a reassurance that the person singing the song is watching over a loved one. The paly moon "hath brimmed its cusp in dew" and "weeps to hear the sad sleep tune" that sings to the baby. It seems that the singer is singing to someone who needs comforting, someone they care about deeply- a child, a lover, or a dear friend. The peaceful landscape, the comfort of the fire, and the gentle caressing of the lullaby help reinforce the message of being watched over and set the perfect tone of tranquillity.
Overall, "Irish Lullaby" is a tender and delicate song that is excellent in conveying tenderness and warmth. It paints a picture of peace, safety, and comfort, evoking a sense of calm in the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleep o babe for the red bee hums
Close your eyes, my baby, for the sound of the red bee hums around you.
The silent twilights fall
The peaceful twilight hours descend upon us, enveloping us in calmness and tranquility.
Eeval from the Grey Rock comes to wrap the world in thrall
Eeval, a mystical creature from the Grey Rock, emerges to enchant and captivate the entire world with her beauty.
A lyan van o my child my joy, my love and heart's desire
My sweet child, my happiness, my love, and the one who owns my heart.
The crickets sing you lullaby beside the dying fire
The crickets serenade you with their lullaby while the fire slowly fades away.
Dusk is drawn and the Green Mans' thorn is wreathed in rings of fog
The evening draws its curtains, and the Green Man's thorn is shrouded in misty rings of fog.
Sheevra sails his boat till morn alone the starry bog
Sheevra, a fairy, navigates his boat all by himself until the morning on the glittering bog.
A lyan van o, the paly moon hath brimmed her cusp in dew
My dearest child, the pale moon's edge glistens with dewdrops.
And weeps to hear the sad sleep tune I sing o love to you
The moon sheds tears as it listens to the melancholic lullaby I sing to you, my love.
Contributed by Mason B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.