1. Solas is an American musical group officially formed in 1996, playing Irish traditional music as well as original compositions that dabble in the country, rock, and americana genres. The band's original lineup consisted of Seamus Egan (flute, tenor banjo, mandolin, tin whistle/low whistle, guitar, bodhrán), Winifred Horan (fiddle), John Doyle (guitar), John Williams (accordian), and Karan Casey (lead vocals). Over the years, only Egan and Horan have stayed with the band. The current members are now Egan, Horan, Deidre Scanlan (lead vocals), Eamon McElholm (guitar), and Mick McAuley (button accordion/piano accordion, concertina, low whistle, backing vocals).
2. Solas is a French rock band. The band released an album with the title 'Viens Sur Moi' in 2006.
The Maid on the Shore
Solas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She lived all alone on the shore
No one could she find for to calm her sweet mind
But to wander alone on the shore, shore, shore
To wander alone on the shore
There was a brave captain who sailed a fine ship
"I shall die, I shall die", this dear captain did cry
"If I can't have that maid on the shore, shore, shore
If I can't have that maid on the shore"
After many persuasions they brought her on board
He seated her down on his chair
He invited her down to his cabin below
Farewell to all sorrow and care
Farewell to all sorrow and care
"I'll sing you a song", this fair maid did cry
This captain was weeping for joy
She sang it so sweetly, so soft and completely
She sang captain and sailors to sleep
Captain and sailors to sleep
She robbed them of jewels, she robbed them of wealth
She robbed them of costly fine fare
The captain's broadsword, she used as an oar
She rowed her way back to the shore, shore, shore
She rowed her way back to the shore
Oh, the men, they were mad and the men, they were sad
They were deeply sunk down in despair
To see her go away with her booty so gay
The rings and her things and her fine fare
The rings and her things and her fine fare
Well, don't be so sad and sunk down in despair
And you should have known me before
I sang you to sleep and I robbed you of wealth
Well, again I'm a maid on the shore, shore, shore
Again I'm a maid on the shore
The Maid on the Shore is a traditional Irish ballad that has been performed by many musicians, including Solas. The song tells the story of a lonely maid who lives on the shore and a captain who becomes obsessed with her. The captain tries to convince the maid to come aboard his ship, and after much persuasion, she agrees. However, once on board, the maid drugs and robs the captain and his crew, using the captain’s sword as an oar to row back to the shore. The song ends with the maid taunting the men for their naive trust and returning to her solitary life on the shore.
The lyrics of The Maid on the Shore are open to interpretation. Some listeners see the maid as a symbol of female empowerment, using her wits and cunning to take control of her life and wealth. Others interpret the song as a cautionary tale about the danger of trusting strangers, particularly those who may appear charming or alluring. The song also touches on themes of loneliness, longing, and the desire for independence and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a fair maid and she lived all alone
A girl lived all by herself, with no one around her.
She lived all alone on the shore
The girl lived near the sea, on the shore.
No one could she find for to calm her sweet mind
She searched for companions to soothe her mind but couldn't find any.
But to wander alone on the shore, shore, shore
Thus, she started to walk alone along the shore frequently.
There was a brave captain who sailed a fine ship
A fearless captain had a beautiful vessel that he sailed.
And the weather being steady and fair
The weather was calm and favorable.
"I shall die, I shall die", this dear captain did cry
However, the captain expressed his desperation to die if he couldn't have the girl.
If I can't have that maid on the shore, shore, shore
He wanted the girl to be with him on the ship.
After many persuasions they brought her on board
Eventually, they convinced her to join the voyage.
He seated her down on his chair
He offered her a comfortable seat.
He invited her down to his cabin below
He welcomed her to his cabin, located below the deck.
Farewell to all sorrow and care
She could now leave her worries behind and enjoy life onboard.
"I'll sing you a song", this fair maid did cry
The girl wanted to sing him a song.
This captain was weeping for joy
The captain was so moved by her song that he started crying tears of joy.
She sang it so sweetly, so soft and completely
Her singing was so pleasant, rhythmic, and complete.
She sang captain and sailors to sleep
She sang them to sleep, perhaps in a hypnotic state.
She robbed them of jewels, she robbed them of wealth
The girl secretly took away their riches.
She robbed them of costly fine fare
She also stole their luxurious food and drink.
The captain's broadsword, she used as an oar
She repurposed the captain's sword as a makeshift oar.
She rowed her way back to the shore, shore, shore
Using the improvised oar, she paddled her way back to the shore.
Oh, the men, they were mad and the men, they were sad
The captain and the sailors were filled with anger and sadness.
They were deeply sunk down in despair
Their spirits had sunken, and they were overwhelmed with sorrow.
To see her go away with her booty so gay
They felt disheartened to see her leave with their riches, appearing jubilant about it.
The rings and her things and her fine fare
She had taken everything of value: jewelry, personal belongings, and luxurious food.
Well, don't be so sad and sunk down in despair
She tried to console them from afar, telling them not to lose hope.
And you should have known me before
The captain and crew should have been able to recognize her intentions from the very beginning.
I sang you to sleep and I robbed you of wealth
She reminded them that she had sung them to sleep and simultaneously robbed them.
Well, again I'm a maid on the shore, shore, shore
She was back to being alone on the shore after successfully deceiving the captain and his crew.
Contributed by Mason L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.