Shannon began her own recording career in 1989, working with producer John Dunford and musicians such as Adam Clayton, Mike Scott and Steve Wickham. The work with Scott and Wickham led to Shannon's joining their band, The Waterboys. Shannon was with the band for eighteen months, and contributed both accordion and fiddle to their Room to Roam album. Like Wickham, she left the group when Scott and group member Anthony Thistlethwaite wanted to move the band back to a more rock and roll sound. With Disirt Tola, Shannon toured the United States at age fourteen, whereas her first world tour was with The Waterboys.
Shannon's solo work has achieved remarkable airplay and commercial success, especially in Ireland. After her inclusion on A Woman's Heart, a compilation album and a tribute to her work on The Late Late Show, Shannon's music received a great deal of exposure, contributing to the record-breaking sales of her debut album
Her 2000 album, The Diamond Mountain Sessions, which included vocals from a wide variety of artists, was also a commercial success, being certified triple platinum.
Shannon recorded with Steve Earle on the song "The Galway Girl", which was released on both Earle's album Transcendental Blues, and Shannon & Friends' The Diamond Mountain Sessions. Both albums were released in 2000.
Another collaboration with Earle was the instrumental "Dominic Street", released on Earle's 2002 album Sidetracks. Shannon has also worked with Jackson Browne, the band Coolfin, Dónal Lunny, Moya Brennan, Kirsty MacColl, Christy Moore, Sinéad O'Connor, Liam O'Maonlai, and John Prine, amongst others.
Her more recent albums include:
Renegade (2007)
Saints & Scoundrels (2009)
Upside down (2009)
Flying Circus (2012)
Saints & Angels
Sharon Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And our paths rarely cross
And we do a whole lot of living
In between
So come and share
More than time
We'll put our cares
While we sail
The ship that never goes to sea
Hey
It could be months
And it could be years
Before we find one other
Once more standing here
And until then my beautiful friend
I have a wish for you
Many hearts
To keep you warm
Many guides
To speed you through the storm
And may the saints and angels wach
Over you
Hey
May the saints and angels watch
Over you, hey, hey
May the saints and angels watch
Over you
In Sharon Shannon's song "Saints And Angels", she reminds us of the vastness of the world we live in and that our journeys through life often lead us on separate paths, leaving us to do a whole lot of living in between. The lyrics express a desire to connect with others in a real and meaningful way, even if it's just for a short time. Shannon calls upon her friend to share more than just time, to let go of their worries, and join her in sailing "the ship that never goes to sea".
The second verse expresses the reality that it could be a long time before they come across each other once again. Shannon sends her friend away with a wish for many hearts to keep them warm, many guides to help them through life's difficulties, and the reassurance that saints and angels will be watching over them. The song is a beautiful reminder to cherish the connections we make with others, even if they are fleeting, and to wish them well on their journey through life.
Overall, "Saints And Angels" is a song that speaks to the human desire for companionship, a reminder to stay connected with those we care about, and to wish them well on their life's journey.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a wide world we travel
The world is vast and we all have our own paths.
And our paths rarely cross
We often go through life without encountering certain people.
And we do a whole lot of living
We experience a lot of different things in life.
In between
In the moments that happen between major events or milestones.
So come and share
Let's spend time together.
More than time
Let's share an experience, not just minutes or hours.
We'll put our cares
We'll forget about our worries.
Far behind
We'll leave them in the past.
While we sail
As we journey together.
The ship that never goes to sea
We'll embark on an adventure that doesn't require an actual ship or sea.
It could be months
We may not see each other for a long time.
And it could be years
Our separation may last for many years.
Before we find one other
Until we are reunited.
Once more standing here
Meeting again in person.
And until then my beautiful friend
Until we can be together.
I have a wish for you
I want to express my hopes and dreams for you.
Many hearts
Lots of people who care about you.
To keep you warm
To provide comfort and love.
Many guides
People who can offer you guidance and support.
To speed you through the storm
To help you through difficult times.
And may the saints and angels watch
I hope you have divine protection.
Over you
I hope you are safe and looked after.
Hey
An interjection expressing excitement or acknowledgement.
May the saints and angels watch
A repeated expression of hope and good wishes.
Over you, hey, hey
Expressing a continued wish for protection and love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEPHEN PATRICK WICKHAM, MICHAEL SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind