Songs are funny things, so I thought I’d tell you about this one:

“Ran to Fall” ← click to play 🙂 

I normally write my songs quite quickly but this one lingered. I was looking into my family tree, as a photo of a soldier had turned up. Now I’ll admit to being a history geek so I’m in my element watching a documentary or rummaging through antiques fairs. The soldier is linked to me via my Great Grandmother and Clones Town, Co. Monaghan is part of my family tree connections. The overall theme is one of reflection on what is left behind when a family got news of their relative’s death during The Great War.

 John James Malone look at your smile, look at the twinkle in your eye
look at you standing up to your knees, in the water of the foreign fields.
Well I guess this picture says it all, you’re a bit of a lad you’re handsome, you’re tall
I hear the girls used to shout out your name, what you wouldn’t give to hear them again.

Oh here’s a penny with your name carved on it,
Oh here’s that letter with your last love sonnet,
Oh here’s that ring, that you pinned to the wall,
The last thing you did before you ran to fall.

Well it’s not so bad in this rain and snow, sure it’s just like being at home
These dark grey skies could be Clones town, if it wasn’t for the hell reigning down.
When last I heard your habits were gone, ready to meet your maker at dawn,
You gave up the smoking and you gave up the beer, turned your vices into anger and fear.

Stand in the silence til the whistle blows, then it’s away lads, away you go.
Fathers, brothers, sweethearts, sons, keep on walking, by Christmas you’ll be home.

Oh here’s a penny with your name carved on it,
Oh here’s that letter with your last love sonnet,
Oh here’s that ring, that you pinned to the wall,
The last thing you did before you ran to fall.

Run boys run, run boys run, run boys run.

---

 Nashville September 2015 . . .

After visiting Nashville for the first time in January of this year, I knew that i would return!   In January I attended a wonderful workshop by Mary Gauthier and it re-focused my attention to songwriting.  It also, as fate would have it, meant that I met Ben Glover, a fellow Northern Irisher.   This led to my recent return visit, to write with Ben and Tamara Stewart.  Such a great day of laughs, tea and writing. Nashville is such a friendly city. Thanks must also go to the following for sharing my time there: Twangtown Paramours,  Lucy Billings,  NSAI.