Tensions between the band grew during the production in 1970 of their first album, Hark! The Village Wait to the point where they never again worked together after its completion, but the music itself shows no signs of these difficulties. While having a rock sensibility there is a greater sense of the authentic folk tradition than even in the best of Fairport, and a particular beauty arising from the two pairs of voices. The Woods being replaced by admired folk stalwart Martin Carthy, with violinist Peter Knight to widen the musical textures, the group late in 1970 recorded their most admired record Please to see the King. Ten Man Mop followed in 1971, more accomplished but generally felt to be less exciting. The expensive gatefold sleeve swallowed the band's royalties, and was referred to as a tombstone, since Hutchings and Carthy then left, to pursue Hutchings' new vision of a specifically English strand of folk rock with The Albion Band, and Steeleye Mk 2 folded.
However the inclusion of the less celebrated and more rock orientated replacements Rick Kemp and Bob Johnson led to the most commercially successful phase in the band's existence, vocalist Maddy Prior becoming the primary focus of the band, and a run of well received albums, from Below the Salt and Now we Are Six, their first with drummer Nigel Pegrum, to their eighth, and most commercially successful, All Around my Hat, in 1975.
Still active, they have a claim to be one of the longest-lived and perhaps the most commercially successful of all the folk rock bands of the era, thanks to their hit singles Gaudete and All Around My Hat, 3 top 40 albums and even a certified "gold" record with All Around My Hat.
Tim Hart died of lung cancer on 24 December 2009, aged 61.
The Connemara Cradle Song
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Angels are coming to watch over thee
Angels are coming to watch o'er thy sleep
So list to the wind coming over the deep
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow
Laden with herring of silvery hue
Oh, silver the herring, silver the sea
Soon there'll be silver for baby and me
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow
The currachs tomorrow will stand on the shore
And Daddy goes sailing, a-sailing no more
The nets will be drying, the net's heaven blessed
And safe in my arms contended he'll rest
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the [Incomprehensible]
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow
The Connemara Cradle Song by Steeleye Span is a Celtic lullaby that assures the safety and security of a child while he or she is asleep. The song takes its listener to the scenic view of the dark, rolling sea where angels are described to be coming over to watch the baby sleep. With the lullaby melody and the gentle breeze from the sea, the lyrics go on to beautifully describe the silver herring that daddy brings from the blue sea for his baby and mother, promising a comfortable life for them. The song concludes with the baby’s safety being assured in his mother’s arms while daddy retires from his sailing job, and the nets being blessed by heaven.
The song’s lyrics are filled with metaphors that paint vivid pictures for the listener to enjoy. By speaking about the sea, it compares the vast and unknown to the safety and comfort of a child’s cradle. The song finishes with the singer assuring the listener that the child will be secure in the mother's embrace, just like the fishnets will be safe and appreciated when used for fishing. Overall, the song brings a sense of peace and tranquillity, promising safety and love to the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
On wings of the wind o'er the dark rolling sea
Angels are flying through the dark, tumultuous sea using the wind as their mode of transportation to watch over someone
Angels are coming to watch over thee
Supernatural beings are arriving to look after and protect someone
Angels are coming to watch o'er thy sleep
Spiritual guardians are arriving to oversee someone's sleep and provide them with security
So list to the wind coming over the deep
Pay attention to the wind traversing over the expansive ocean
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow
Listen to the sound the wind makes, my dear, listen to the sound of the wind
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow
Tilt your head towards the direction of the wind and listen to its melody
The currachs are sailing way out on the blue
The boats made of animal skins are sailing far out into the blue sea
Laden with herring of silvery hue
The boats are carrying fish, silver in color
Oh, silver the herring, silver the sea
The fish are shimmering silver and it seems as though the entire ocean is glistening in response
Soon there'll be silver for baby and me
Soon there will be an abundance of fish for the baby and myself to consume
The currachs tomorrow will stand on the shore
The boats will be docked and resting on shore the following day
And Daddy goes sailing, a-sailing no more
Father will no longer be going out to sea on a boat
The nets will be drying, the net's heaven blessed
The fishing nets will be drying in the sun and it feels as though a higher power has blessed them
And safe in my arms contended he'll rest
Father will rest contentedly in my arms, feeling secure and at peace
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow
Listen to the sound of the wind, my love, listen to the sound of the wind
Lean your head over and hear the wind blow
Tilt your head towards the wind and hear the melody it plays
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J BAIRD, PD TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fauve Corrigan
I found this recently from a lady singing it to her baby pig every day while it was in hospital. So touching and very close to home being from the west of ireland and losing a father to the deep.
Fritula 6
Zara Harrison ....in reply.
My condolences on the loss of your father.
May God have Mercy on his soul.
Chris Evaro
That is how I found this lullaby... I cried like a baby and I am now...
Christopher Hargreaves
the best version of this fabulous lullaby ,bar none. Been a fan of steeleye since the 70,s
Smiffy83
Beautiful. Gay Wood's voice is amazingly beautiful.
Dee Geraghty
Stunningly beautiful sung by Gay Woods. Thank you.
Barbara Pollock
this voice brings home to me the struggles fisherman had and still have to endure...what a touching beautiful song....a song of hope and words of sadness
Jaan Torv
Astonishing voice. Beautiful melody.
Chris Evaro
This is so peaceful and it stirs emotions in me. I am crying as I write this... Blessings be upon you.
Isabel Almario
Is true