There is more than one artist with this name (the Irish for light) : 1) an … Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name (the Irish for light) : 1) an American Irish folk band. 2) a French rock band:

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 Night Visit
Solas Lyrics

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I must away, love, no longer tarry

This roaring tempest I have to cross

I must be guided without a fall

Into the arms I love the best

When he came to his true love's dwelling

He's knelt down gently upon a stone

Through the window he's whispered soft

"Is my true lover within at home?"

She's raised her up from off her pillow

She's raised her up from off her bed

And through the window she's whispered soft

"Who's that disturbing my own night's rest?"

"Wake up, wake up, love, it's your own true lover

Wake up, wake up, love, and let me in

Oh how the wind blows and how it rains

Oh I am wet, love, unto the skin"

She's raised her up from off her pillow

She's raised her up and let him

They were locked in each other's arms

Until the long night was passed and gone

When the long night was passed and gone

When the dark clouds, they did divide

He's leaned down gently and kissed her soft

He saddled up and away did ride

He's mounted up on his horse and away did ride

He's mounted up on his horse and away did ride

Overall Meaning

The Night Visit by Solas is a traditional Irish ballad that tells the story of a man who faces a stormy night to reach his true love's house. The song begins with the man saying goodbye to someone and explaining that he needs to cross a tempest, which suggests that he is leaving someplace dangerous to get to his love. He then asks for guidance that will lead him safely to his beloved's arms. When he finally reaches her house, he kneels on a rock and whispers through her window to ask if she is home. She wakes up and whispers back, asking who he is, and he identifies himself as her true lover.

The woman let him in, and they spent the night locked in each other's arms until the storm passed. When the dawn broke and the sky cleared, the man realized that he had to leave to face whatever awaited him. He kissed his love gently and then mounted his horse and rode away. The song has a sense of urgency, danger, and uncertainty, but it is also filled with tenderness, love, and romance.

Line by Line Meaning

I must away, love, no longer tarry
I must leave, my love, and not delay any further

This roaring tempest I have to cross
I have to brave this violent storm to be with you

I must be guided without a fall
I must be careful and avoid any missteps along the way

Into the arms I love the best
I am going to the one I love the most

When he came to his true love's dwelling
When he arrived at his lover's home

He's knelt down gently upon a stone
He kneeled down softly on a stone

Through the window he's whispered soft
He whispered softly through the window

"Is my true lover within at home?"
"Is my true love inside?"

She's raised her up from off her pillow
She sat up from her pillow

She's raised her up from off her bed
She sat up from her bed

And through the window she's whispered soft
And softly whispered through the window