The album was recorded on dates from September to December 1987 and in January 1988 at Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin. The Chieftains and Van Morrison had met years before at the Edinburgh rock festival. They joined up in Belfast during Morrison's No Guru tour and afterwards, Morrison and Paddy Moloney discussed recording an album together during a walk. They each had a list of songs and reached a consensus to cover two of Morrison's previously released tracks (the title track was one) and the rest from traditional Irish songs. In October 1987 they performed together at Balmoral Studio in Belfast. The concert was broadcast on St. Patrick's Day in 1988.
Have I Told You Lately
Van Morrison & The Chieftains Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have I told you there's no one above you?
Fill my heart with gladness, take away my sadness
Ease my troubles that's what you do
Oh, the morning sun in all it's glory
Greets the day with hope and comfort too
And you fill my life with laughter, you can make it better
There's a love that's divine
And it's yours and it's mine
Like the sun at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray to the One
Say, have I told you lately that I love you?
Have I told you there's no one above you?
Fill my heart with gladness, take away my sadness
Ease my troubles that's what you do
Well, there's a love that's divine
And it's yours and it's mine
And it shines like the sun
At the end of the day
We will give thanks
And pray to the One
Have I told you lately that I love you?
Have I told you there's no one above you
Fill my heart with gladness, take away my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do
Take away my sadness
Fill my life with gladness
Ease my troubles that's what you do
Fill my life with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles that's what you do
The song "Have I Told You Lately" by Van Morrison, Sinéad O'Connor, and The Chieftains is a love song that expresses gratitude for the love that the singer has received from their partner. The lyrics ask the question "Have I told you lately that I love you?" while expressing that the partner is loved and valued above anyone else. The song describes how the partner fills the singer's heart with joy and takes away any sadness and trouble in their life. The morning sun is used as a metaphor for the hope and comfort that the partner brings to the singer's life.
The song also suggests that the love shared between the couple is divine and powerful, shining like the sun at the end of the day. The singer acknowledges the importance of giving thanks and praying for this love, indicating that they are grateful for the relationship and want it to continue to flourish.
Overall, the song conveys a powerful message about the importance of love and gratitude in a relationship. It suggests that even in difficult times, love can bring joy and hope to a person's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Have I told you lately that I love you?
Have I expressed my love to you recently?
Have I told you there's no one above you?
Have I made it clear that you are the only one for me?
Fill my heart with gladness, take away my sadness
Make me happy and remove any negative feelings from my heart.
Ease my troubles that's what you do
You bring me peace and comfort in difficult times.
Oh, the morning sun in all it's glory
The beauty of the morning sun is overwhelming.
Greets the day with hope and comfort too
It brings a sense of hope and comfort for the day ahead.
And you fill my life with laughter, you can make it better
You bring joy and happiness to my life and can improve any situation.
There's a love that's divine
There is a spiritual love that is pure and holy.
And it's yours and it's mine
This love belongs to both of us.
Like the sun at the end of the day
It is radiant and comforting, like the setting sun.
We should give thanks and pray to the One
We should express gratitude and pray to God for this love.
Say, have I told you lately that I love you?
Just making sure that I have expressed my love to you recently.
Well, there's a love that's divine
As previously mentioned, there is a pure love that is holy.
And it's yours and it's mine
This love belongs to both of us equally.
And it shines like the sun
This love is radiant like the sun.
At the end of the day
When everything is said and done.
We will give thanks
We will express gratitude.
And pray to the One
And pray to God.
Take away my sadness
Remove my negative emotions.
Fill my life with gladness
Bring joy and happiness to my life.
Ease my troubles that's what you do
You bring me comfort and peace in difficult times.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Van Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ilkka1983
The Long Black Veil is an album we all should buy. In addtion to Van the Man,there are other great guests like The Rolling Stones, Sting, Mick Jagger, Sinead O´Connor, Mark Knopfler, Ry Cooder, Tom Jones.
@Rocit2Nowair
I will play this on my wedding day. It will be forever our anniversary "love dance" song as long as we live. What an OUTSTANDING touch to such a happy and beautiful day. A duet of vocals and timeless, musical instruments will stop the world from turning for 4 min 41 seconds, and remind us of the love we share. Thank you so very much Van Morrison & The Chieftains!
@chr970
I’m seven years late...hope it went well!
@Daniboy27
This is the best version of the song. I LOVE the sound of the celtic instruments combined with Morrison's voice. A Masterpeace!
@georgeberl7947
there is a live version with sinead o'connor that surpasses this one slightly
@georgeberl7947
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4DwJMqUr2Q
@Rocit2Nowair
I believe you can't get any better than this. This Grand Guy of Song has graced us with gifts of beautiful, musical compositions like no other. In my mind, I stand in the lush, vivid shamrock green fields of Ireland. With the wind blowing slightly off the ocean, I "tip" my hat and bow to Van Morrison and The Chieftains you guys are marvelous.
@TRENDYPLACEBO
The phrasing is sublime, the emotions it brings are incredible!
@juanpedroreinaalcantara7786
Obra maestra esta versión con los Chieftains. One of the seven wonders of music. Ireland's musicians never dissapoint. Maravillosa tierra.
@gwynenglishnielsen8596
A wonderful love song!!!!