MAIN THEME
The Irish Film Orchestra Lyrics
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And for each mast cut down another sapling is grown
Then I could believe that I`m bound to find
A better life than I left behind
But as you ascend the ladder
Look out below where you tread
For the colors bled as they overflowed
Green, white and gold
So I had to leave from my country of birth
As for each child grown tall
Another lies in the earth
And for every rail we laid in the loam
There`s a thousand miles of the long journey home
But as you ascend the ladder
Look out below where you tread
For the colors bled as they overflowed
Red, white and blue
Green, white and gold
The Irish Film Orchestra's song "Main Theme" is a poignant and introspective piece that reflects on the bittersweet nature of leaving one's home country in search of a better life. The opening line, "If on every ocean the ship is a throne," speaks to the idea that the voyage itself can feel grand and majestic, but the journey is not without sacrifice. The image of "another sapling" being grown for each mast cut down represents the idea that progress and advancement often come at a cost.
The singer of the song expresses a desire to find a better life than they left behind, but recognizes that the journey is not without its challenges. The imagery of the ladder suggests the idea of progress and climbing towards success, but the warning to "look out below where you tread" reminds us that success can come at a great cost. In the chorus, the singer brings attention to the colors that symbolize their home country and the sacrifices made in its name. The colors "bled as they overflowed" signifies the bloodshed and conflict that often accompanies nationalism and patriotism.
The song continues to reflect on the sacrifices made when leaving one's home country. The singer recognizes that for each child who grows tall, another lies in the earth, and for every rail laid in the loam, there are thousands of miles of the long journey home. The piece ends on a somber note, underscoring the challenges and losses associated with leaving one's home behind.
Line by Line Meaning
If on every ocean the ship is a throne
If every ship rules the sea
And for each mast cut down another sapling is grown
For every mast cut down, another tree is planted
Then I could believe that I'm bound to find
Then I can believe that I'll find
A better life than I left behind
A better life than what I left behind
But as you ascend the ladder
But as you climb the ladder
Look out below where you tread
Watch where you step down below
For the colors bled as they overflowed
As the colors spilled over
Red, white and blue
USA - highlighted by the colors of flag - Red for valour and bravery, White for purity and innocence, and Blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
Green, white and gold
Ireland - highlighted by the colors of flag - Green represents the Gaelic tradition of Ireland, White color represents peace and the orange color represents the followers of William of Orange.
So I had to leave from my country of birth
Therefore, I had to abandon my homeland
As for each child grown tall
For every child who has grown up
Another lies in the earth
Another lies beneath the ground
And for every rail we laid in the loam
For every railway track we laid on the soil
There's a thousand miles of the long journey home
It's a long journey of thousands of miles to reach home
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO, PADDY MOLONEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@liesalen5609
This main theme was played at my mom's funeral, 16 years ago, and up 'till today I still listen to it now and then, because it fills my heart in a way which words can not describe.. My dad passed away only one month and a half before her, so the grief at that time became even more overwhelming. Although the sadness in the melody, I also hear such a sweetness in it, which reminds me of both my parents, and the loss of one of my elder sisters, not even a year after my mom's passing. My sister died at the age of 45, because of cancer. Last year, at this time, another sister would have celebrated her 58th birthday, but left the family also, very sudden, and we didn't even had the chance to say goodbye:o((( Needless to say, this song will remain glued to my heart & soul for as long as I live.
@Dutch3DMaster
My dad picked this for the memorial service for my grandma (his mom) who passed away the 3rd of January this year. This played during a slideshow where there were pictures shown from his mom from when she was young and eventually having kids of her own, turning even older and meeting her grand children for the first time and eventually turning older again and even meeting her great-grand children, from which one is now slowly becoming old enough to realise how special that really is, even in todays world. I didn't knew he picked this piece, but couldn't hold back the tears when the thin whistle started. We are not Irish in any way, but he thought it was a fitting piece of music for such a purpose and he couldn't have been more right.
@SunnevaJoh
Thank you for sharing that memory!
@Dutch3DMaster
:) Thanks for the kind words.
@donbut3056
Amazingly soulful.
@pierrebosser1265
Merci