“Lord Baker (feat. Christy Moore)”

Liner notes

This song I first heard fifteen years ago on a Planxty record, with Christy Moore singing it. Christy got it from a settled traveller named John Reilly, who lived in Roscommon. Christy altered some of the words, as he couldn't always understand John's pronunciation. DK Wilgus and Tom Munnelly recorded 36 of Reilly's songs in 1968. Reilly died of pneumonia at the age of 43, six weeks after the recordings were made. Some of his songs were released later on a Topic album named 'The Bonny Green Tree.' For me, the song has similarities with the great 'Song of Solomon' in the Judaic and Christian Holy scriptures. It speaks of a love relationship between a man and a woman and a promise made of undying love. But underneath, the subtext tells the story of the relationship between God and Mankind. They make a vow for seven years and seven more. Seven is the number of God. I like the fact that, (unusually), the woman represents God and sets Baker free, making him promise loyalty and love. Baker almost breaks his promise, as his faith weakens with age, and Turkey's daughter arrives just in time to prevent him marrying a false love who only cares for his material wealth. The song reminds me of some very beautiful lines in 'The Song of Solomon,' otherwise known as 'The Song of Songs'-'Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; and jealousy is cruel as the grave; the coals thereof are coals of fire, which have a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, he would be laughed to scorn.'

Sinéad O'Connor (Source: Sean-Nós Nua)