He has travelled widely performing and has released the following albums:
• Swings and Roundabouts (2010)
• Songs for Big Little People (2007)
• Brave Faces (2005)
• Mouth to Mouth (2000)
• Lullabies for Big Babies (1997)
• Travelling Home (1992)
• Footsteps and Heartbeats (1989)
• Kicking The Sawdust (1986)
• Angry Love (1985)
Rory's songs are invariably big-hearted story-like ballads about family, justice, racism, poverty, immigration, traveling and love. His live shows are particularly impressive - it's hard to believe he performs with such a full and busy sound when there's only him on the stage.
http://www.rorymcleod.com
Shirley's Her Name
Rory McLeod Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's no easier place to find on a map
She cried to see us go and she cried to see us back
There's no-one else in the world who ever loved us like that
Shirley's her name but we call her our mum
I call my dad "dad", I feel like a prodigal song
She spoils us and still wants to rock us to sleep
She woke us up, cooked for us and washed our clothes
She used to kiss our knees better, wipe my bubbly nose
Shirley's her name but we call her our mum
I call my dad "dad", I feel like a prodigal song
Well she's so easy to please and she's so easily hurt
She loved us even when we're covered in dirt
Our mum works all night and day
And she's a nurse when we fall, a policeman when we fight
A judge when we argue and a singer at night
Our mum worked but she never got paid
Well you ought to see the way that she serves us
She leaves herself 'till last
And there were times when we wouldn't even help her
And she'd be too tired to ask
Well she's a cook, a washerwoman, a teacher and a wife
She's our mum, she's the one who worked for our lives
Shirley's her name but we call her our mum
I call my dad "dad", I feel like a prodigal song
Well she's so easy to please and she's so easily hurt
She loved us even when we're covered in dirt
Our mum worked all night and day
Now she's a nurse when we fall, a policeman when we fight
A judge when we argue and a singer at night
Our mum worked but she never got paid
Well it's so good to leave home 'cause it's so good to come back home
There's no easier place to find on a map
She cried to see us go and she cried to see us back
There's no-one else in the world he ever loved us like that
Shirley's her name but we call her our mum
I call my dad "dad", I feel like a prodigal song
The song "Shirley's Her Name" by Rory McLeod is a touching tribute to a mother figure who has been a constant source of love and support in the singer's life. The first stanza acknowledges the joys of leaving home and returning to it, highlighting that there is no place as comfortable and welcoming as one's own home. The singer goes on to describe how their mother, named Shirley, had loved and cared for them selflessly throughout their lives. She had cried when they had left home and similarly cried when they had returned, displaying the depth and sincerity of her love. There is no one in the world who had ever loved them like she did.
In the subsequent stanzas, the singer describes the various roles that Shirley had played in their lives. She had cooked, washed clothes, and fed them whenever they were hungry. Shirley had been there when they had hurt themselves, wiped their bubbly noses, and kissed their knees better. She had been a nurse, a policeman, a judge, and a singer for them, always doing whatever it takes to make things right. Despite all these efforts, Shirley had never been paid for her work as a mother.
The lyrics of this song paint a picture of a mother who has devoted her life to her children, sacrificing her own needs for their sake. The song recognizes her hard work, her resilience, and her unwavering love, showing that behind every successful person, there is a mother who had nurtured and cared for them.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's so good to leave home 'cause it's so good to come back home
Leaving home is great because coming back home is even better
There's no easier place to find on a map
Home is easy to locate
She cried to see us go and she cried to see us back
Our mother was emotional when we left home and when we returned
There's no-one else in the world who ever loved us like that
No one has ever loved us as much as our mother does
Shirley's her name but we call her our mum
Our mother's name is Shirley, but we call her mum
I call my dad "dad", I feel like a prodigal song
I call my father "dad", but I feel like I am singing a song of repentance like the Prodigal Son in the Bible
Well she feeds us like we haven't eaten for weeks
Our mother feeds us generously
She spoils us and still wants to rock us to sleep
Our mother pampers us and still treats us like children
She woke us up, cooked for us and washed our clothes
Our mother wakes us up, cooks for us, and washes our clothes
She used to kiss our knees better, wipe my bubbly nose
Our mother used to kiss our wounds and wipe our noses when we were younger
Well she's so easy to please and she's so easily hurt
Our mother is easily pleased and also easily hurt
She loved us even when we're covered in dirt
Our mother's love for us is not affected by our physical appearance
Our mum works all night and day
Our mother works tirelessly
And she's a nurse when we fall, a policeman when we fight
Our mother becomes a nurse when we are hurt and a mediator when we fight
A judge when we argue and a singer at night
Our mother acts as a judge in our disagreements and sings to us at night
Our mum worked but she never got paid
Our mother worked for us, but never received any money
Well you ought to see the way that she serves us
The way our mother serves us is remarkable
She leaves herself 'till last
Our mother prioritizes us over herself
And there were times when we wouldn't even help her
There were times when we did not offer to help our mother
And she'd be too tired to ask
Our mother was often too exhausted to ask for help
Well she's a cook, a washerwoman, a teacher and a wife
Our mother is a cook, washerwoman, teacher, and wife all at once
She's our mum, she's the one who worked for our lives
Our mother worked for our lives and she is the most important person in our lives
Contributed by Charlie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shirleyhouston8186
I was named Shirley after my mum....Great song an my mum was a farmers wife so did great job bringing up 7 kids ❤
@hopebgood
Nice one 😀 hug
@damontapp3258
You have to see, hear, witness and meet this man.........utter brilliance regardless of your musical influence or interest Rory is exquisite
@hopebgood
😀😉
@chrissymcleod9308
Thanks Shirley 😭
@stonehand49
My Mom also Shirley . . Crying
@hopebgood
hug
@berniarmstrong
Gorgeous song and performance. If that's a recent video, time is being really gentle with you, Rory. :)
@chrissymcleod9308
💚
@keithwigley1256
So Just in Biever or Rory..who would you see live for real musical talent..