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about
‘Ghost on the Waves’ is the third release in a four part collaborative music and film project - Gormacha. Gormacha treads a musical path between the four most extreme geographical points in Ireland - Mizen, Malin, Dunmore and Wicklow Head.
Featuring Co.Kerry harpist and ethereal singer Aisling Urwin (Ajeet/Woven Kin), this collaboration sees two old friends' harmonious voices & deep rooted traditional melodies weaving seamlessly together. Inspired by ancient Irish tales and tunes (such as Port na bPúcaí, the Basket Island air, and The Pursuit of Gráinne and Diarmuid) 'Ghost on the Waves' was born out of a week spent together in the mystical yet ominous West Kerry landscape.
“Our time ‘west of the west’ was truly magic. Aisling and I met while studying music in UCC in 2015 and this song was the coming together of two kindred spirits after many years apart. Aisling and I come from the same place musically and the writing and recording of this song came together so easily - all over two days. There were many swims, mountain climbs, and late night tunes. The song was inspired by the old Irish story ‘Tóraíocht Dhiarmada agus Ghráinne’ and their love. I think it’s so important to pass these stories and songs on to the next generation, ensuring their survival, whilst giving them an open invitation to let imaginations run wild!"
The chorus - ‘Maireann an lá go ruaig, maireann an grá go huaigh’ - meaning ‘a day lasts until it's chased away, but love lasts until the grave’ - brings a huge air of hope, resilience and light to the song, offering solace that the love for the people and traditions that we hold dear will live on....
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lyrics
Maireann an lá go ruaig
maireann an grá go huaigh
ohhhhhhhh
Under her spell they fled
To a cold mountain
West of the West
Rise up, sleeping giant
Fear Marbh, cabhraigh liom
No more bloodshed
Your body warm on mine
In stillness & in silence
But we’re running out of time
Two sisters watch o’er
Hanrai, Meanach
Cloisim Cailleach
A mile above the shore
Maireann (an) lá go ruaig
maireann an grá go huaigh
ohhhhhhhh
Sea rolls below
Tar liom, éalaigh liom
I pull your body close
And as the night falls
Oh lover, I wonder
Do you love me at all
Do you love me at all
There’s a ghost on the waves
....
credits
released October 25, 2023
Composed, Produced, & Arranged by Clare Sands & Aisling Urwin
Strings / Vocals - Clare Sands
Harp / Vocals - Aisling Urwin
Percussion - Davie Ryan
📹 Filmed by Liadain and Kasia Kaminska
Edited by Liadain Kaminska
🎧Mixed at Wavefield Studios
Mastered by Philip Shaw Bova
Channeling the music of her ancestors, Clare Sands is a unique force in Irish music. Weaving traditional roots with
Contemporary sounds and influences, Sands sings for the young and the old, brave and the bold.
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'Sands excavates into Ireland's ancient myths & landscapes whilst exploring the political exigencies of it's here and now... A bold beautiful album brimming with ideas' -Songlines...more
supported by 7 fans who also own “Ghost on the Waves”
Great Scottish band! The addition of guests like Duncan Chisholm-fiddler extraordinaire- and Julie Fowlis-an authentic voice of Scotland- make it perfect. dardar1126
supported by 5 fans who also own “Ghost on the Waves”
Seamlessly blends electronica with traditional ballads, voices and instruments. Infectious, beautiful and irresistible music - an absolute joy! The_Diesel_44
supported by 5 fans who also own “Ghost on the Waves”
Such a broad range of roots music styles; trad English, modern Scottish, Americana.
The first track is fabulous, took me right back to teenage years listening to Fairport.
Hope it gets the recognition it deserves Derrick Turner
From Cork, Ireland, Lewis Barfoot writes mystic, majestic songs derived from regional folk, with an ambient music aura. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 11, 2023
The latest LP from Brigid Mae Power is gorgeous and ghostly, setting Power’s voice against soft brushes of guitar, piano, & shuffling drums. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 17, 2018