The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from the British Isles. London, Dublin, Spiddal, and Findhorn have all served as a home for the group. The band has played in a number of different styles, but most often their music can be described as a mix of Celtic folk music with rock and roll, or folk rock. After ten years of recording and touring, the band dissolved in 1993 and Scott pursued a solo career. The band reformed in 2000, and continues to release albums and tour worldwide. Scott himself emphasizes a continuity between The Waterboys and his solo work, saying that "To me there's no difference between Mike Scott and the Waterboys; they both mean the same thing. They mean myself and whoever are my current travelling musical companions."
More than thirty musicians have performed live as a Waterboy. Some have spent only a short time with the band, contributing to a single tour or album, while others have been long-term members with significant contributions. Scott has been the band's lead vocalist, motivating force, and principal songwriter throughout the group's history, but a number of other musicians are closely identified with the band.
Anthony Thistlethwaite was an original member of the band, and remained a member until 1991 when the band broke up, although he also joined a few recording sessions for A Rock in the Weary Land. After Scott and Wickham, Thistlethwaite has more songwriting credits than any other Waterboy. His saxophone, regularly featured in solos, was one half of the early group's distinctive brass section, but he has also played guitar, keyboards and a number of other instruments for the band. He pressed to return The Waterboys to a rock music sound after Room to Roam, but did not appear on Dream Harder, the result of that decision. He is now a member of The Saw Doctors, and has also released three solo albums.
Kevin Wilkinson, another original member, was The Waterboys' drummer from 1983–1984, and continued to play in some studio sessions afterwards. His most recent appearance was on A Rock in the Weary Land. He led the rhythm section of the group during its "Big Music" phase, sometimes without the assistance of any bass guitar. Scott describes Wilkinson's drumming as "bright and angular, an unusual sound".
Karl Wallinger joined the group in 1983, shortly after its formation. He left the group two years later, but in that relatively short period made important contributions to both A Pagan Place and This is the Sea. He co-wrote "Don't Bang the Drum", the environmentalism anthem on This is the Sea. His keyboards and synthesizer work expanded the group's sound, and he also did some studio work for demo sessions. Wallinger's World Party project was heavily influenced by his work with The Waterboys.
Roddy Lorimer's participation in the group began in 1983, contributing his trumpet playing "on and off" through 1990. He and Thistlethwaite took turns leading the brass section of the band, and Lorimer was also a featured soloist, most famously on "The Whole of the Moon" and "Don't Bang the Drum". He further contributed backing vocals to the song. His trumpet style is a combination of his classical training with an experimental approach encouraged by Scott. Lorimer returned for some studio work in 2006.
Steve Wickham transformed the group with his joining in 1985. His strong interest in folk music directly resulted in the band's change of direction. His initial involvement with The Waterboys ended in 1990 when Scott and Thistlethwaite wanted to return to rock and roll, but Wickham rejoined the group again in 2000, and, as of 2007, continues to perform with the band. Described by Scott as "the world's greatest rock fiddle player", he has written more songs for the band than anyone other than Scott, including the group's handful of instrumental recordings.
After 2000, Richard Naiff became one of the three core Waterboys members.Richard Naiff first recorded with the band in 1999, and joined permanently in 2000. As of 2007, he is a core member, along with Scott and Wickham. He is a classically-trained pianist and flautist, and plays keyboards for The Waterboys. Ian McNabb described him as Scott's "find of the century" and reviewers have described him as "phenomenally talented".
Other notable members of the band include bassist McNabb, leader of Icicle Works; Sharon Shannon, who became Ireland's all-time best-selling traditional musician; the experimental musician Thighpaulsandra, producer Guy Chambers, and Patti Smith Group drummer Jay Dee Daugherty.
Sweet Thing
The Waterboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and I will drink the clear clean water for to quench my thirst
And I shall watch the ferry-boats and they'll get high
on a blue ocean, against tomorrow's sky
And I will walk and talk in gardens all wet with rain
and I will never grow so old again
Oh sweet thing, sweet thing
my, my, my, my, my sweet thing
and I will drink the clear clean water for to quench my thirst
And I shall watch the ferry-boats and they'll get high
on a blue ocean against tomorrow's sky
And I will walk and talk in gardens all wet with rain
and never ever ever ever ever get so old again
Ooh...
sweet thing
My my my...
And I shall drive my chariot down your streets and cry
"Hey, it's me! I'm dynamite and I don't know why"
And you shall take me warm in your arms again
and I will not remember that I ever felt the pain
And I will walk and talk in gardens all wet with rain
and never ever ever ever ever get so old again
Ooh
sweet thing
Yeah yeah yeah...
sweet thing
My my my...
And I will raise my hand up into the night time sky
and count the stars there shining in your eyes
Just to dig it all an' not to wonder, that's just fine
and I'll be satisfied not to read in between the lines
And I will walk and talk in gardens all wet with rain
and never ever ever ever ever get so old again
Sugar-baby with your champagne eyes
and your saint-like smile....
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take this broken wing and learn to fly
all your life you were just waiting for this moment to arrive
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
take your sunken eyes, learn to see
All your life you were only waiting for this moment to be free...
The Waterboys' "Sweet Thing" is a dreamy song that transports the listener to a magical realm where everything is beautiful, and the possibilities are endless. The opening lines set the tone for what is to come. The singer is strolling through the countryside, jumping hedges, and drinking clear water to quench his thirst. He is free and unencumbered, and the world around him is vibrant and alive. He observes ferry boats sailing high and majestic against a blue ocean, and he feels uplifted and inspired. The garden he walks in is wet with rain, and he is grateful for the beauty that surrounds him. He knows he is getting older, but in this moment, he is timeless.
In the second verse, the singer drives his chariot down the streets, announcing his arrival to the world. He is full of life and vitality, and he wants to share it with everyone he meets. He finds comfort in the embrace of his lover, who takes away the pain he feels in life. He looks up at the night sky and is awed by the stars shining in his lover's eyes. He is content to enjoy the simple things in life, not over-analyzing or looking for hidden meanings. He is happy to bask in the beauty of the moment, knowing he will never grow too old to appreciate it.
The final verse is a tribute to the Beatles' famous song, "Blackbird." The melody and some of the lyrics are borrowed from that classic tune. The singer urges the listener to take this broken wing and learn to fly, reminding them that all their life, they were waiting for this moment to arrive. It is a beautiful sentiment, and it ties in with the themes of freedom and possibility that run throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
And I will stroll the merry way and jump the hedges first
I will confidently and eagerly go through life taking risks and seizing opportunities as they arise.
and I will drink the clear clean water for to quench my thirst
I will find simple pleasures in life and enjoy them when I have the chance.
And I shall watch the ferry-boats and they'll get high on a blue ocean, against tomorrow's sky
I will take in the beauty of the world around me, enjoying the view of ferry-boats sailing on the ocean and the promise of the future.
And I will walk and talk in gardens all wet with rain and I will never grow so old again
I will find joy in life's simple pleasures, like walking and talking in gardens during a rainy day, and I will maintain my youthful spirit and enthusiasm.
Oh sweet thing, sweet thing my, my, my, my, my sweet thing
The world and all its beauty is my 'sweet thing,' bringing me joy and happiness.
And I shall drive my chariot down your streets and cry 'Hey, it's me! I'm dynamite and I don't know why'
I will continue to be confident and assertive, driving through life with passion and energy.
And you shall take me warm in your arms again and I will not remember that I ever felt the pain
I will find comfort in the arms of my loved ones, forgetting the pain and troubles of the past.
And I will raise my hand up into the night time sky and count the stars there shining in your eyes
I will take in the beauty of the night sky and the people around me, cherishing these special moments.
Just to dig it all an' not to wonder, that's just fine and I'll be satisfied not to read in between the lines
I will enjoy life and appreciate things as they are, without overthinking or analyzing too much.
Sugar-baby with your champagne eyes and your saint-like smile....
The people who make life sweet and enjoyable, like a 'sugar-baby with champagne eyes,' are treasures to hold onto.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night, blackbird singing in the dead of night. Take this broken wing and learn to fly, all your life you were just waiting for this moment to arrive
The struggles we face in life can often lead us to greater things, like a broken wing leading to the ability to fly. We should embrace these challenges and know that they will eventually lead us to where we need to be.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take your sunken eyes, learn to see. All your life you were only waiting for this moment to be free...
No matter how challenging life may seem, there is always a way to find beauty and freedom. We just need to learn to see it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Van Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickm62nov
And I will stroll the merry way
And jump the hedges first
And I will drink the clear
Clean water for to quench my thirst
And I shall watch the ferry-boats
And they'll get high
On a bluer ocean
Against tomorrow's sky
And I will never grow so old again
And I will walk and talk
In gardens all wet with rain
Oh sweet thing, sweet thing
My, my, my, my, my sweet thing
And I shall drive my chariot
Down your streets and cry
Hey, it's me, I'm dynamite
And I don't know why'
And you shall take me strongly
In your arms again
And I will not remember
That I even felt the pain.
We shall walk and talk
In gardens all misty and wet with rain
And I will never, never, never
Grow so old again.
Oh sweet thing, sweet thing
My, my, my, my, my sweet thing
And I will raise my hand up
Into the night time sky
And count the stars
That's shining in your eye
Just to dig it all an' not to wonder
That's just fine
And I'll be satisfied
Not to read in between the lines
And I will walk and talk
In gardens all wet with rain
And I will never, ever, ever, ever
Grow so old again.
Oh sweet thing, sweet thing
Sugar-baby with your champagne eyes
And your saint-like smile
@MrEddieo1
We played Van's version as my son lay dying in the hospital. He passed that day and this song I listen too from time to time, makes me cry. I love your version too. Thx.
@FishermansBluesHQ
I'm deeply sorry to read of his passing
@MrEddieo1
@@FishermansBluesHQ Thanks for that. He died in August 2015. Still hurts every day.
@damiano-ur3hh
❤
@HovisOats
I can't imagine the pain you felt that day and everyday since, I hope you have atleast found peace in the years since. For what it's worth, my heart goes out to you and your family.
You son is at peace and lives on forever in this music.
"And I will never, ever, ever, ever grow so old again"
@hem1934
Who writes lyrics like this anymore...."just to dig it all and not to wonder why..." There's no better summation of why understanding is not all there is. Brilliant songwriter; wonderful homage to a brilliant songwriter.
@carolstrachan4197
Wade.... It was Van Morrison who wrote this song. 1968.
@carolstrachan4197
Yeah, Van Morrison did!
@ashmorgan4528
And the Beatles, since it’s a medley…
@Anonymous-km5pj
"and i will never ever ever ever get so old again...."
God love u from commie Canada, for now anyways 🤣🤣🤣