Fisherman is the new single by Irish/English singer and multi-instrumentalist Lewis Barfoot, out on 6th November 2020. Fisherman is taken from the debut Lewis Barfoot album Glenaphuca due in March 2021.
Fisherman is an autobiographical song that speaks of Lewis’ call to Ireland and her wish to unearth the legacy of her family. Setting her luminous voice against a backdrop of gently interweaving cello and clarinet Fisherman is intended to represent a siren-like call to Ireland with an ethereal phrase from the traditional Irish song Dúlamán. The use of the traditional tune hypnotically captures the mystery of the ocean’s ancient call before building into a joyous finale, with multilayered evocative vocals and a playful reprise of the air Dúlamán as performed on fiddle by Scottish musician Elisabeth Flett.
lyrics
Dúlamán na binne bui, Dúlamán gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, ’s e b’fhearr bhí in Éirinn
Down to the shore, down to the shore
Down to the shore to see the fisherman
Sail away on his boat today
Under the night sky I’ll be your stowaway
And if the sea should swallow me
I give my body freely
Swirling down, Billow bubble blow
Looping round, Siren song in flow
Deeper in the ocean bed
Perfect prelude to what lies ahead
Catch the fin of a giant squid
Somersault, octopus ocean sport
Puff your cheeks, sink to the deep
Frondled by weeds of the ancient sea
Bladderwrack, Dúlamán, Butterweed, Dabberlock, Carageen
Won’t you hold my hand
Bladderwrack, Dúlamán, Butterweed, Dabberlock, Carageen
I know you understand
Allegiance from the Celtic sea
Driving me toward thee
Fighting for liberty
Harmonise family legacy
Bronze sword by my side
Wild hare heart open wide
Dúlamán na binne bui, Dúlamán gaelach
Dúlamán na farraige, ’s e b’fhearr bhí in Éirinn
A ‘níon mhín ó, sin anall na fir shúirí
A mháithair mhín ó, cuir na roithléan go dtí mé
credits
released November 6, 2020
Fisherman was produced by Lewis, recorded at Soup Studios with Giles Barrett, London and mastered by Pete Maher. Fisherman features guest musicians Elisabeth Flett (Fiddle) Matt Dibble (Clarinet), Hannah Thomas (Cello) and Ansuman Biswas (Percussion).
Thanks to Barbara O’Meara for the Artwork.
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www.barbaraomearartist.com
Contemporary Folk Artist Lewis Barfoot
displays a fearless and disarming honesty in her lyrics, She works with an uncomplicated loveliness of sound, blending ethereal, evocative vocals with original compositions and reinventions of trad songs. Frequently compared to the likes of Kate Rusby, Sandy Denny and Maíre Brennan.
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