After a short period of playing in local bars and clubs, The Prayer Boat had attracted a cult following in Dublin. Their two albums, Oceanic Feeling and Polichinelle received high praise and commendation from music journals but unfortunately sales were meagre.
Despite not having performed for several years, The Prayer Boat still have a website which is visited by afficionados of the band. The band's achingly beautiful music has found devotees around the world and frontman Emmett Tinley regularly receives emails from passionate lovers of his voice and The Prayer Boat's unique music. Emmett is a truly gifted singer and songwriter, and Melody Maker summed this up when they said of him, 'the man can make a cat's cradle of your heart strings.'
As Emmett has now embarked upon a solo career, releasing his first album, Attic Faith in 2005, and only occasionally sees the other members of The Prayer Boat (with the exception of his brother Patrick) it remains doubtful whether the band will play together in the near future. However, this has never been ruled out, and fans of The Prayer Boat continue to remain steadfast in their loyalty to this highly talented Irish band.
Band members are:-
Emmett Tinley (vocals, guitar, piano, hammond organ)
Patrick Tinley (guitar, charango)
Tony Byrne (bass guitar)
Tim Houlihan (drums)
In My Arms
The Prayer Boat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you feel inside like it's got to end
And all your tears have got you nowhere
Just put yourself in my arms again
Black and white is so easy to see
Even the blue sky's never certain
When your eyes wont open reach for me
Can't be the one to give you vision
But you may wake up in the light
Sometimes it leaves you
You know and you never find out who you are
But you're in my arms again
There's nothing left in black and white
The lyrics of the song In My Arms by The Prayer Boat, speaks about the pain and struggles an individual goes through in their life, and the comfort that can be found in the arms of another. The song highlights the idea that when things get too difficult and the individual feels like it's all going to end, they can find solace in the comfort of another's arms. The singer assures that even when everything seems black and white and clear, it isn't always certain, and in times of confusion, they can find support in the singer's arms. The idea of not being able to find oneself is also touched upon, but the reassurance that one is not alone is emphasized, and everything will be alright when the individual is in their arms.
The lyrics suggest that the singer has noticed someone who is going through a difficult time and offers to hold them close to provide comfort and support. Though the singer cannot fix or provide all that the person may need, they can offer their unwavering presence and a safe place to rest. The song is about being there for someone and is a reminder that, sometimes, all someone needs is a comforting embrace to get through a difficult time.
Line by Line Meaning
When it gets too strong and you know it will
When you feel overwhelmed and know that you will reach that point.
And you feel inside like it's got to end
When you feel like everything is falling apart and you need to give up.
And all your tears have got you nowhere
When your tears are not helping you relieve your pain and sorrows.
Just put yourself in my arms again
Come to me and let me hold you in my arms, feel my love and support.
Black and white is so easy to see
The world is presented in two colors, which makes it easier to distinguish between good and bad.
Even the blue sky's never certain
You cannot rely on anything for sure, including the blue sky, which can change anytime.
When your eyes won't open reach for me
When you cannot open your eyes to see the good in the world, turn to me, and I will guide you through it.
And put yourself in my arms again
Be embraced by my arms and let my love and care heal you.
Can't be the one to give you vision
I cannot provide you with a clear roadmap towards your goals and desires.
But you may wake up in the light
But if you trust in me, I can guide you towards a brighter future.
Sometimes it leaves you
Your vision or goal may be elusive and difficult to grasp.
You know and you never find out who you are
You may struggle to find your identity and purpose in life.
But you're in my arms again
Regardless of your doubts and fears, you can always seek comfort and support in me.
There's nothing left in black and white
The easy distinctions between good and bad, right and wrong, are not enough to capture the messy complexities of life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMMETT TINLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind