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.
When Ye Go Away
The Waterboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the Indian summer is through
In the morning you'll be following your trail again
Fair play to you
You ain't calling me to join you
And I'm spoken for anyway
But I will cry when ye go away
Your beauty is familiar
And your voice is like a key
That opens up my soul
And torches up a fire inside of me
Your coat is made of magic
And around your table angels play
And I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
Somebody left his whisky
And the night is very young
I've got some to say and more to tell
And the words will soon be spilling from my tongue
I will rave and I will ramble
I'll do everything but make you stay
Then I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
When ye go away...
When ye go away...
The Waterboys' song, When Ye Go Away is a ballad that speaks of an impending separation with bittersweet emotions. The lyrics describe a person who has brought down the rain and ended the Indian summer, symbolizing a change in the mood of things. The person who is leaving is not inviting the singer to join them and the singer is already spoken for. However, the singer is in love with the person leaving as shown by the line, "Your beauty is familiar, and your voice is like a key that opens up my soul, and torches up a fire inside of me." This line speaks of the strong emotional connection the singer has with the person leaving.
The song makes use of imagery to further describe the person leaving. The line, "Your coat is made of magic, and around your table angels play" paints a picture of the beauty and enchantment that surrounds the person leaving. The singer's emotions towards the person leaving are captured in the line, "And I will cry when ye go away, I will cry when ye go away" which is repeated throughout the song. The last verse of the song sees the singer trying to make the person stay by talking to them, but ultimately, they resign themselves to the fact that they will cry when the person leaves.
Line by Line Meaning
Now he's brought down the rain
The weather has changed, and rain has come
And the Indian summer is through
The warm, extended summer season has come to an end
In the morning you'll be following your trail again
You will continue on your journey in the morning
Fair play to you
I respect your decisions and actions
You ain't calling me to join you
You are not inviting me to go with you
And I'm spoken for anyway
I am already in a committed relationship
But I will cry when ye go away
I will be sad when you leave
Your beauty is familiar
I recognize and appreciate your physical attractiveness
And your voice is like a key
Your voice has the power to unlock and touch my emotions
That opens up my soul
Your voice has the ability to make me vulnerable and open
And torches up a fire inside of me
Your voice ignites a passionate feeling within me
Your coat is made of magic
There is something enchanting or mysterious about your presence
And around your table angels play
There is a sense of divinity or purity around you
And I will cry when ye go away
I will be heartbroken when you leave
Somebody left his whisky
There is leftover whiskey from a previous gathering
And the night is very young
It is still early in the night
I've got some to say and more to tell
I have things to express and stories to share
And the words will soon be spilling from my tongue
I will soon speak passionately and unreservedly
I will rave and I will ramble
I will speak excitedly and enthusiastically
I'll do everything but make you stay
I will try my best to make you stay, but ultimately, it's your choice
Then I will cry when ye go away
Regardless, I will be upset when you leave
When ye go away...
Repeating the phrase from before, emphasizing the sadness of your departure
When ye go away...
Repeating the phrase again, further emphasizing the singer's distress
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES OLIVER LENNON, MICHAEL SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Seb Rider
Now he's brought down the rain
And the Indian summer's reign is through
In the morning you'll be following your trail again
Fair play to you
You ain't calling me to join you
And I'm spoken for anyway
But I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
Your beauty is familiar
And your voice is like a key
That opens up my soul
And torches up a fire inside of me
Your coat is made of magic
And around your table angels play
I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
Somebody left his whisky
And the night is very young
I've some to say and I've more to tell
And the words will soon be spilling from my tongue
I will rave and I will ramble
I'll do everything but make you stay
Then I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away...
Lucho Cascante
Now he's brought down the rain
And the indian summer is through
In the morning you'll be following your trail again
Fair play to you
You ain't calling me to join you
And I'm spoken for anyway
But I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
Your beauty is familiar
And your voice is like a key
That opens up my soul
And torches up a fire inside of me
Your coat is made of magic
And around your table angels play
And I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
Somebody left us whisky
And the night is very young
I've got some to say and more to tell
And the words will soon be spilling from my tongue
I will rave and I will ramble
I'll do everything but make you stay
Then I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
When ye go away...
When ye go away.
Seb Rider
Now he's brought down the rain
And the Indian summer's reign is through
In the morning you'll be following your trail again
Fair play to you
You ain't calling me to join you
And I'm spoken for anyway
But I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
Your beauty is familiar
And your voice is like a key
That opens up my soul
And torches up a fire inside of me
Your coat is made of magic
And around your table angels play
I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
Somebody left his whisky
And the night is very young
I've some to say and I've more to tell
And the words will soon be spilling from my tongue
I will rave and I will ramble
I'll do everything but make you stay
Then I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away
I will cry when ye go away...
fred Ted Stedman
" The heat's brought down the rain .............and the indian summer is through ....."
God_of_Rawr
One of the most enchanting and beautifully mournful songs ever written.
derek orford
The beautiful counterbalance of mournful hope, old instruments playing new music, this was one of the greatest tracks of one of the greatest albums of the 80s. It'll never fade.
Noitpure
I bought this when it first came out. It will always be in my top 10 favorite releases of all time. Beautiful music for the soul.
beatitude
ditto...a dessert island disc for me...
Cameron Demarco
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC
Flora Miles
I've been singing this to myself a lot recently. It's ridiculously beautiful, and so poignant.
DJ Kapusta
These lyrics. Talk about touching your soul. Thank you Mike Scott.
bill gates
greatest song from one of the greatest albums ever