Tonight's Music

This is emerging Irish-American supergroup Solas performing On A Sea Of Fleur De Lis from their new CD/DVD release Reunion: A Decade of Solas .

Original band member Karan Casey re-joines the group for several of the songs which she originally recorded with them.

This CD/DVD set is a very good value in that you get an extended length CD plus a full concert on DVD with extra interviews and several songs which didn't make it on to the CD.

All the discussion of religious doctrine reminded me of this Solas tune. The sentiment is of some lonely Celt not completely happy with the new religion which the Christian missionaries brought to Éire and hoping to reach an "accommodation" with the "Queen of Heaven".

This one goes out to our friend Patrick at The Pagen Temple.

UPDATE:

Since Patrick tells us that his computer has no speakers here are the lyrics:

I adore thee, Mother Mary
But would you change me back to a witch
And let me live in the arms of a sorry old elm?
Give the gypsy moths a realm of their own
For a postman's fee would I work for thee
From that tree would I swoop down and leave
A billion blue eggs of eternity
And in no time you'd have your own sea

Don't just stare, I mean it really
Hear my prayer, I give it freely
Are you there, fleur de lis?

I adore thee, Mother Mary
But would you change me back to a witch
And let me live in the arms of a willow?
Fly around not wearing a stitch
For so long has this room been so hollow
We wait at the gate for an echo
In the flesh of your newly-cleaned frescoes
Where Jesus holds John to his breast

Wrapped around and rocking slowly
No one bound to be so holy
In your gown of fleur de lis

I adore thee, Mother Mary
But would you change my back to a witch?
As a witch would I love you more than any man
So give a wink, give a nod, give a damn
Be a sport, Mary, and don't tell dad
He need never know how he's been had
Never you mind about those seven seals
'Cause daddy was a one-shot deal

One, two, three, it could be that easy
There we'd be, I with my baby
On a sea of fleur de lis

Do re mi, it could be that easy
There we'd be, I with my baby
On a sea of fleur de lis