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)
Soon the Stars Will Steer Me
The Prayer Boat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And soon the stars will steer me
Cause the night makes a sad song in the trees
And life is my mad eyes seeing me
The blue sun is burning cold
The bright light is failing
The signs seem to follow every road
I do know you're near me
And soon the stars will steer me
Stay with me always, high and low
Cause I want to know you when I go
The lyrics to The Prayer Boat's "Soon the Stars Will Steer Me" convey the sense of feeling lost and alone. The singer acknowledges that they are not alone, that someone (possibly a lover or friend) is near, but still feels isolated and adrift. The night is sad, and life seems to conspire to make the singer feel insane. The blue sun (perhaps a reference to depression?) is "burning cold," and the bright light (hope?) is failing. The signs point the way, but they ultimately lead to loneliness.
Despite the bleakness of the lyrics, there is a faint note of hope. The singer knows that someone is near, and they believe that the stars will guide them. They ask this person to stay with them always, through the highs and lows of life. Even though the singer feels alone in the world, they want to know and be known by this person before they die.
In summary, the lyrics to "Soon the Stars Will Steer Me" are about feeling lost, but not entirely alone. The night is sad, life is hard, and everything seems to lead to isolation. Despite this, there is a sense of hope that the stars will guide the singer to someone who will be with them through life's ups and downs.
Line by Line Meaning
I do know you're near me
Despite not physically seeing or hearing the presence of someone, the singer acknowledges that this person is close to them on a deeper level.
And soon the stars will steer me
The singer trusts that their path will be guided and directed, just like how the stars guide sailors on the sea.
Cause the night makes a sad song in the trees
The quietness and darkness of night can evoke sorrow and loneliness, as even trees seem to sing a mournful tune.
And life is my mad eyes seeing me
The artist acknowledges that life can be tumultuous and unpredictable, leading them to feel as if their own eyes are watching them in a state of madness.
The blue sun is burning cold
The artist observes a contradiction, as the sun, normally associated with warmth and light, appears blue and freezing.
The bright light is failing
Another contradiction is noted, as a bright light that typically shines and illuminates is failing to provide clarity or visibility.
The signs seem to follow every road
There are signs and symbols that can be interpreted on any given path or direction, giving the impression of being omnipresent.
And when I find where I'm standing I'm alone...always
Despite finding oneself in a certain place or situation, loneliness is an ever-present feeling that persists.
Stay with me always, high and low
The artist desires the presence and support of the aforementioned person through any and all highs and lows of life.
Cause I want to know you when I go
The artist wishes to fully understand and connect with this person before their eventual departure or passing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMMETT TINLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind