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 Silver Dagger
Solas Lyrics
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She's sleeping here right by my side
In her right hand a silver dagger
She says that I can't be your bride
All men are fools, so says my mother
They'll tell you again love and lies
And then they'll go and court some other
My daddy is a handsome devil
He's got a chain five miles long
On every link a heart does dangle
Of another maid he's loved and wronged
Go court another tender maiden
In hopes that she might be your bride
For I've been warned, so I decided
I'll sleep alone all of my life
Don't sing love songs, you'll wake my mother
She's sleeping here right by my side
In her right hand a silver dagger
She says that I can't be your bride
The lyrics of Solas's song 'The Silver Dagger' are a melancholic expression of a young woman whose mother will not allow her to marry the man she loves. The song's opening lines 'Don't sing love songs, you'll wake my mother, she's sleeping here right by my side' sets the somber tone of the song. The singer of this song is laying next to her mother, who holds a silver dagger in her hand, a symbol of her protective nature. The daughter has fallen in love with a man whom her mother does not approve of, and she warns the man that her mother will never allow them to be together.
The mother's reasons for prohibiting the relationship stem from her experiences with men. She believes that all men are fools who will profess their love and then deceive the women they claim to love. She cautions her daughter not to be fooled by their sweet words and empty promises. The daughter fears that she will end up like her mother, alone and unloved. The song ends with the daughter resolving to sleep alone for the rest of her life rather than risk heartache and disappointment.
This song is a poignant reminder of the dangers of loving someone who is not approved by others, especially in a traditional society. It is a reminder that the idea of love is often romanticized, and the reality of love can be harsh and painful. The Silver Dagger is a beautiful song, and its lyrics are a testament to the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't sing love songs, you'll wake my mother
I can't listen to love songs because it might disturb my mother who is right next to me sleeping.
She's sleeping here right by my side
My mother is sleeping by my side.
In her right hand a silver dagger
My mother is holding a silver dagger in her right hand.
She says that I can't be your bride
My mother forbids me from marrying you.
All men are fools, so says my mother
My mother believes that all men are foolish.
They'll tell you again love and lies
Men will deceive you with love and lies.
And then they'll go and court some other
After courting you, men will move on to another woman.
Leave you alone to pine inside
You will be left alone to suffer.
My daddy is a handsome devil
My father is attractive, but he is also immoral.
He's got a chain five miles long
My father has a chain that is five miles long.
On every link a heart does dangle
Every link on my father's chain has a heart hanging from it.
Of another maid he's loved and wronged
Each heart symbolizes a woman my father has loved and betrayed.
Go court another tender maiden
Find another woman to pursue.
In hopes that she might be your bride
The hope is to find a woman willing to marry you.
For I've been warned, so I decided
I've been warned about men, so I've decided not to marry.
I'll sleep alone all of my life
I've chosen to spend my life alone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JOAN C. BAEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind