in April/May 2006, the quartet played six shows in Ireland to support the release of The Swell Season. Later in the year (October & December) they also played a number of shows in the US to support the release of the album there. The huge success of the film Once resulted in Glen and Markéta touring the US constantly during 2007 and the line-up morphed over time (Glen and Markéta being the core members). The current Swell Season line-up also includes three members of The Frames: guitarist Rob Bochnik, violinist Colm Mac Con Iomaire, and bassist Joe Doyle. Graham Hopkins joined the tour on drums in spring of 2008.
Hansard and Markéta starred in the film 'Once' by writer/director John Carney (a former bass player of The Frames). Many songs of The Swell Season are used in this film, which won the World Cinema Audience Award at Sundance 2007. Hansard and Irglová won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the song "Falling Slowly" in February 2008.
For more info: http://www.myspace.com/oncethemovie
Tour dates and audio streams are available from www.theswellseason.com.
Leave
The Swell Season Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before you stood up
And you won't disappoint me
I can do that myself
But I'm glad that you've come
Now if you don't mind
Leave, leave
Leave, leave
I don't understand, you've already gone
And I hope you feel better
Now that it's out
What took you so long?
And the truth has a habit
Of falling out of your mouth
But now that it's come
If you don't mind
Leave, leave
And please yourself at the same time
Leave, leave
Let go of my hand
You said what you came to now
Leave, leave
Let go of my hand
You said what you have to now
Leave, leave
Leave, leave
Let go of my hand
You said what you have to now
Leave, leave
The Swell Season's "Leave" is a raw and vulnerable anthem about letting go and moving on. The singer confronts a friend or lover who has been dragging their feet on leaving, urging them to just go already. The lyrics show frustration but also a sense of resignation, as if the singer has been waiting for this moment for a long time. The repetition of the word "leave" throughout the chorus emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the need for closure.
The second verse alludes to the fact that the person leaving has been holding back the truth. The singer acknowledges that the truth is not always easy to face or admit to, but that it is important to speak it anyway. The final chorus takes a more emotional turn, with the singer asking the person to "let go of my hand" and leave for good. The song ends on a poignant note, with the repetition of "leave" echoing in the listener's mind.
Overall, "Leave" is a powerful song about the struggle to move on from a relationship or situation that has run its course. It tackles themes of honesty, closure, and the difficulty of saying goodbye.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't wait forever is all that you said
You didn't want to waste your time waiting any longer
Before you stood up
You got up from your seat
And you won't disappoint me
I won't be disappointed that you're leaving me
I can do that myself
I am strong enough to handle my own disappointments
But I'm glad that you've come
I am happy that you came in the first place
Now if you don't mind
If you don't object, please leave
I don't understand, you've already gone
I don't comprehend why you're still here when you have already left emotionally
And I hope you feel better
I hope you feel relieved now that the truth is out
What took you so long?
I wonder why it took so long for you to say what you needed to say
And the truth has a habit
The truth has a tendency
Of falling out of your mouth
To be revealed despite trying to keep it hidden
But now that it's come
Now that the truth is out
Leave, leave
Please go and leave me be
And please yourself at the same time
Do what's best for you
Let go of my hand
Release your grip on me
You said what you came to now
You expressed what was necessary for you to say
Leave, leave
Let go and leave
Leave, leave
Please go now
Let go of my hand
Release me from your hold
You said what you have to now
You said what you needed to say
Leave, leave
Please leave me alone now
Leave, leave
Let go and leave me be
Contributed by Liliana F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@milandujava6791
This is possibly the most beautiful, in-tune and heart-tearing scream I have ever heard
@washjd-27
you said it all
@chriscoffey2371
100% agree I have been coming back here for this for years now
@kiwiproject
That man has been working hard for 20 years to be where he is. The most passionate musician I've ever come across, and has done our little island proud beyond belief.
@maggiereedy4079
I count myself lucky to have seen this man play the crap out of this very guitar. Glen leaves his heart on the floor every time he touches a stage. Brilliant.
@toulad5317
so beautifully said
@dterzyan
ugh I can never get sick of this song. Makes me cry every time. His voice is flawless!
@jeaniegayagoy5232
I've never seen anyone that seems to feel the music they sing the way Glen Hansard does!
@MichaelCanton
look for Woven Hand, the singer David Eugene Edwards pours his soul also!
@FerryLuckyMan
Look for RIchard Ashcroft.