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The Show => A New Journey => Topic started by: Starrgurl on August 06, 2007, 02:24PM



Title: The Voice
Post by: Starrgurl on August 06, 2007, 02:24PM
Forgive me if a similar topic has been posted, but I was listening to The Voice this morning and realized that the voice represented many different things, so there are countless possibilities of what "the voice" could be. Personally, I think the voice she's talking about is God, but I respect whatever you guys believe.

So what/who do you think the voice is?


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Trouble on August 06, 2007, 02:45PM
Well, I think the Voice is about You the person being the Voice for others who can't speak up for themselves.  You are the person who is going to teach others and help them along.

Thats about it for right now. 


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: celtic_girlakp on August 06, 2007, 03:00PM
i see it first and formost as God. It is a spirit song for me but I do that with most songs anyway. If not on a spiritual level it is the person that truly loves you is the Voice.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Lisa_Kelly_fan_forever on August 06, 2007, 03:07PM
Well, I think the Voice is about You the person being the Voice for others who can't speak up for themselves.  You are the person who is going to teach others and help them along.

Thats about it for right now. 

I would say that's a pretty nice answer as well, but notice that, from what Lisa says in the beginning of the song, she is not talking, but being talked to by the Voice.  Thus, my answer would probably go alon the lines of God as well.  There's no telling unless we found out from David or whoever else wrote the song.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Kelli on August 06, 2007, 03:15PM
I love how different people see different things in songs (and poetry, etc).  I think part of the beauty of it is that people are left to their own devices for interpretation.  For me, The Voice seems like it's from Ireland speaking to her Children.  Anyway you look at it, it's one powerful song!


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: celtic_girlakp on August 06, 2007, 03:17PM
I love how different people see different things in songs (and poetry, etc).  I think part of the beauty of it is that people are left to their own devices for interpretation.   Anyway you look at it, it's one powerful song!

Oh yeah this is so true!


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Celtic Lass on August 06, 2007, 03:20PM
For me it is first and foremost my heavenly father, God. He is saying that he is calling me to his side while he controls the world and I have nothing to worry about. :)

HOWEVER. . . . . . . .

I can see how people would totally not agree with me on that one. This song is so powerful, that it can mean almost anything to anyone! (which in my opinion, is what is so great about CW!!! ;D)


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Texas Chava on August 06, 2007, 03:29PM
To me it is just the voice of the Universe speaking to the world.  I just know I love the song, and whenever I put the ANJ cd on, my husband wants me to skip directly to that song.   ;D


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: celtic_girlakp on August 06, 2007, 03:30PM
Well it seems most of us see it as God. I wonder who Lisa believes the voice is?


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Kelsey on August 06, 2007, 03:47PM
Well it seems most of us see it as God. I wonder who Lisa believes the voice is?

Good question!  I'd love to know what Lisa thinks about this song.

I personally think of it as being God speaking to me.  Everytime I hear The Voice, I find a huge power in it.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: celtic_girlakp on August 06, 2007, 03:53PM
Well we also need to know what Mairead thinks cause she plays in this song to. She can have her opinion too. I would like to know what all the girls think about the songs they sing.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: willow-jeeves on August 06, 2007, 08:58PM
I love that The Voice is past, present and future, elements of the four seasons, no matter what happens, "I will remain".  For me as well, I think of God. 

What I also love is that in a world where everything changes so fast, there are some things that are unchanging, that we can count on, even when it seems like our world is falling apart. 



Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Edgeman on August 06, 2007, 11:46PM
When I heard this song it made me think of Gaia. To me she would be more of a voice of the Earth then God.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Kelli on August 07, 2007, 01:02AM
Here is what Lisa says about The Voice on her forum on December 8, 2006:

"You know, i'm sure when Brendan Graham wrote the song, he had a special meaning of some sort.  I first heard the song when it won the eurovision back in the late 90's and loved it.  It was quite a different arrangement of it but it's such a powerful and dynamic song that it's quite easy for me to sing, really. It's probably my favourite moment of the show.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks again for your support
Lisax"


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Gwyn71 on August 07, 2007, 04:30AM
I think it's God. When it says 'by my wounds you are healed' I immediately think of Christ's crucifixion. To me it does seem to point to God.
I'd also love to hear Lisa's interpretation of it.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: agategs on August 07, 2007, 04:53AM
I think it's God. When it says 'by my wounds you are healed'

Hello!

Not to be nit-picky, but the lyrics are "Bring me your peace and my wounds, they will heal".
The song's still open to interpretation, though :)

Hasta luego,
Kimberly


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: celtic_girlakp on August 07, 2007, 08:07AM
Here is what Lisa says about The Voice on her forum on December 8, 2006:

"You know, i'm sure when Brendan Graham wrote the song, he had a special meaning of some sort.  I first heard the song when it won the eurovision back in the late 90's and loved it.  It was quite a different arrangement of it but it's such a powerful and dynamic song that it's quite easy for me to sing, really. It's probably my favourite moment of the show.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks again for your support
Lisax"

Kelli thanks for this but it does not say what she thinks the voice is. That is I think what we want to know.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: btimerson on August 07, 2007, 08:35AM
I love how different people see different things in songs (and poetry, etc).  I think part of the beauty of it is that people are left to their own devices for interpretation.  Anyway you look at it, it's one powerful song!

I have to agree with Kelli (and most everyone else for that matter) in many respects. 

In several versions of the lyrics, the words, Voice, You, and I, etc. are capitalized.  Too me that has always meant showing respect for God.

“Listen my child!” You say to me
“I am the Voice of your history
Be not afraid - come follow Me
Answer my call and I'll set you free”


Plus,
Bring me your peace, bring me your peace
And my wounds they will heal


has been shown to be a reference to Isaiah 53:5....
"But He was wounded and bruised for our sins.  He was chastised that we might have peace; He was lashed - and we were healed."

No matter what you believe or what you think the song is talking about...

"The Voice" is one POWERFUL song and
I can't imagine anyone doing it justice like Lisa Kelly does!

Brad T



Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: celtic_girlakp on August 07, 2007, 08:42AM
Brad you did that very well.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: FireGuyFrank on August 07, 2007, 10:43AM
I feel it is one's inner voice.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Thistle on August 07, 2007, 11:44PM
I wish I knew who 1st pointed this out — credit where credit is due & all that stuff ;) — but I see the song has having to do with the Irish people & all of their turbulent history, with the Voice being the call to heal the wounds of the past & stride onward to a better future. 8)


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: celtic_girlakp on August 08, 2007, 11:18AM
I feel it is one's inner voice.

Wow a new idea. I like this one!


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: OldFatGuy on August 08, 2007, 03:17PM
"The Voice" is Mother Earth, or Mother Nature, if you prefer. 

Bring me your peace and my wounds, they will heal.

If mankind can achieve peace, the wounds we've inflicted on our home will eventually heal.  In my opinion, all the lyrics point to this interpretation.

I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain.
I am the voice of your hunger and pain.
I am the voice that always is calling you.
I am the voice, I will remain.


The song speaks to the permanence of Nature, as opposed to the transience of man.

I am the voice of the past that will always be.

Native Americans call her Nakomis, "the grandmother," and say that "beneath the clouds lives the Earth-Mother from whom is derived the Water of Life, who at her bosom feeds plants, animals and men."


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Trouble on August 08, 2007, 03:20PM
I like that one Rich. 


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: celtic_girlakp on August 10, 2007, 09:19AM
Ditto that is cool!


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: KatieK on August 10, 2007, 06:37PM
I think it can be God or Mother Nature


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: jsharp on August 15, 2007, 05:28AM
According to someone supposedly referencing the book The Eurovision Song Contest: The Official History (How's that for qualifying remarks?):

"Lyrically, it is a very Celtic-inspired song, with the singer portraying herself as 'the voice' which watches over the world, describing 'her' effects on the natural world, such as the wind, the seasons, in a similar way to Mother Nature."

The song does seem to shift voices (no pun intended!) and that leads to all kinds of interpretive legerdemain, as well.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Nero Angelo on August 15, 2007, 05:39AM
Not to split hairs or anything, but doesn't Lisa say that she heard The Voice on the wind?


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: willow-jeeves on August 15, 2007, 07:42AM
According to someone supposedly referencing the book The Eurovision Song Contest: The Official History (How's that for qualifying remarks?):

"Lyrically, it is a very Celtic-inspired song, with the singer portraying herself as 'the voice' which watches over the world, describing 'her' effects on the natural world, such as the wind, the seasons, in a similar way to Mother Nature."

The song does seem to shift voices (no pun intended!) and that leads to all kinds of interpretive legerdemain, as well.

Not to split hairs or anything, but doesn't Lisa say that she heard The Voice on the wind?

Actually, you're both right!  At the beginning of the song, when Lisa is singing more softly and accapella, she is speaking as the person who hears the voice. "I hear your Voice on the wind, and I hear you call out my name".

Then as the instruments come in, she is speaking as "The Voice". "I am the Voice in the wind and the pouring rain"...and speaks as the Voice throughout the rest of the song.

Now as to the identity of the Voice, well, as Tia Dalma in "POTC: Dead Man's Chest" put it, "Same story...different versions, and all are true."   ;)


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: jsharp on August 15, 2007, 09:24AM
Actually, you're both right!  At the beginning of the song, when Lisa is singing more softly and accapella, she is speaking as the person who hears the voice. "I hear your Voice on the wind, and I hear you call out my name".

Then as the instruments come in, she is speaking as "The Voice". "I am the Voice in the wind and the pouring rain"...and speaks as the Voice throughout the rest of the song.

Right. That's what I meant by changing "voices." There are two different people speaking. Or you could say the singer is quoting The Voice from that point on. Six of one...


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: celtic_girlakp on August 15, 2007, 02:41PM
I never would have ever found that out on my own. Very interesting. A cultural experience learned right here. Nice!


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Maggie on December 16, 2007, 03:27PM
I have resurrected this thread for a reason.

There was another posted about "Christmas Pipes" which of course was written by Brendan Graham.

Brendan Graham was born in Tipperary in 1945.
He is very patriotic indeed.
Many of his songs have a patriotic theme without mentioning Ireland.

It is a bit like in the days of the oppressive Penal Laws.
The people of Ireland sang of their homeland without mentioning it by name, because patriotic songs were banned. Many songs with a woman's name were really about Ireland.
The song "Four green fields" is full of symbolism.......the fields are the four provinces of Ireland, "one of them's in bondage" refers to Ulster (Northern Ireland) the Old Woman is Ireland, her sons are patriotic Irishmen....."my four green fields ran red with their blood".

So back to Brendan Graham and "The Voice".

Here is a piece from Wikipedia:
"The Voice was the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 1996, performed in English by Eimear Quinn representing Ireland. The music and lyrics were composed by Brendan Graham, who also composed the Irish winner from the 1994 Contest. The victory, which was Ireland's fourth in five years, was their seventh Contest victory, which remains a record for the most contests won by a single country.

Quinn was a student at the Cork School of Music when she was approached by RTÉ to represent Ireland at Eurovision. It placed first with 162 points, easily defeating all other contenders.

Lyrically, it is a very Celtic-inspired song, with the singer portraying herself as "the voice" which watches over the world, describing "her" effects on the natural world, such as the wind, the seasons, in a similar way to Mother Nature."

Well, I agree with that except the last paragraph. It was written by someone who doesn't know anything about Brendan Graham.

I say the subject of the song is The Voice of Ireland.
There are several clues. The climate for one. The song is not about a worldwide climate.....the wind, pouring rain, dancing blowing Autumn leaves, cold winter long......that sums up the Irish climate.
"I am the voice of your History.....The voice of your hunger and pain"
tells of the years of Famine and oppression.

"Filled with my sorrows and blood in my fields"...
...it has been said many times that the fields of Ireland ran red with blood....after invasion by the Vikings.....the Massacre at Drogheda......The Boyne....countless massacres by the soldiers of Oliver Cromwell in Wexford and Cork...Carlow .....the courtyard at Kilmainham Jail in 1916.

What tells me this is about Ireland more than anything else is the time when it was written, in 1996.
Peace in Northern Ireland was being discussed.
Throughout 1996, all-party talks were conducted in Ireland and England.
The IRA had announced a ceasefire, and plans to decommission it's paramilitary weapons.
While most people longed for peace, some were very afraid of what the agreement would demand of them.
Some were very sceptical that peace could ever be achieved.
There were National Referenda in Northern Ireland and in the Republic.

So this part of the song is saying, don't be afraid, go for it, vote Yes for peace in Ireland! Break free of violence and prejudice!

"Be not afraid - come follow me
Answer my call and I'll set you free".


The last lines need no explanation:
"Bring me your peace, bring me your peace
And my wounds they will heal".


So finally on Good Friday 1998, the Peace Agreement was signed.
And now, unimaginable before 1996, sworn and bitter enemies are running Northern Ireland, peacefully, side by side.
Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness......who would have believed it?

No, there is no doubt in my mind what was on Brendan Graham's mind when he wrote this song.
I think the judges and the crowd at that Eurovision Song Contest knew it too......
that's why it got a roaring standing ovation.....
...an endorsement for Peace......in IRELAND.

(http://www.goof.com/~pmurphy/images/pmurphy/99peacenow_32.png)


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Lisa_Kelly_fan_forever on December 16, 2007, 03:39PM
THANK YOU MAGGIE. :)


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: mpdallen on December 16, 2007, 03:57PM
Maggie,
Your writing about this song, The Voice, and the history about it`s lyrics , its writter, and how in involved Irish history is nothing short of amazing. Beautifully written. Thank you.

Jim Allen


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Maggie on December 16, 2007, 05:02PM
Thank you.

In these days of worries about Global warming, green this 'n that, and organic everything, some people may interpret this song differently, but it was written in 1996, before 9/11, before war in Iraq, and before we were blamed for melting the polar ice cap.

Oh yes, the World and Mother nature are very nice I'm sure, but this song is full of
 Passion!

I don't think Eimear Quinn and Lisa Kelly would sing so passionately about Mother Nature.

No, these are all-Irish girls, singing an all-Irish song.

As for our Creator, He is very much part of Irish life.

Does anyone see the significance of the Peace Agreement being signed on Good Friday? Think that was a coincidence? Mmmmmm........



Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Mel on December 16, 2007, 06:05PM
I love how different people see different things in songs (and poetry, etc).  I think part of the beauty of it is that people are left to their own devices for interpretation.  For me, The Voice seems like it's from Ireland speaking to her Children.  Anyway you look at it, it's one powerful song!

Ok, this is the first time I have seen this thread..yes. I know,  :-\

I see it in 2 ways, one, as Kelli mentions, Ireland speaking to her children, but also along with the a nature aspect, sort of like Mother Earth speaking to her childern.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Maggie on December 17, 2007, 02:50AM
Eimear Quinn after winning the Eurovision Song Contest with a record number of points:

(http://www.celticcafe.com/archive/Music/eimear/images/e5.jpg)

Here she is on YouTube - the fiddler is Dr Cora Smyth:
"http://www.youtube.com/v/kpqq9K6MlyU&rel=1"


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Moscapoet on December 17, 2007, 06:02PM
Thank you Maggie. I knew from the first time I heard the song that it was about Ireland and its history. The college history/geography major in me was tweaked a bit by it. I can picture all those elements very vividly when Lisa sings that song. I sing along as best I can, but of course there are parts I'm not even going to attempt. Bravo to Brendan Graham for his beautiful lyrics and patriotism. I hope that some of the pieces I've written about Ireland and its history will find a home with music too. I've tried as best I can to capture some of it, but certainly can't the way an Irish person could. 


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: ferngully on December 18, 2007, 11:25AM
When I heard this song it made me think of Gaia. To me she would be more of a voice of the Earth then God.

much as i think it has a strong religious ideal, i've always thought of this song to be the way edgeman sees it


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Gerard on December 19, 2007, 10:23PM
Quote
the fiddler is Dr Cora Smyth

I knew that fiddler was familiar!

Anyway, The Voice is, IMHO, the second best song to have won the Eurovision Song Contest (the best, for me, is "Un Jour, Un Enfant", by Frida Boccara).


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Lisa_Kelly_fan_forever on December 25, 2007, 05:43PM
You know, one of the great things about music is that it is presented to you and generally open for interpretation.  It's lovely to know the beginnings and intentions of songs, but personal views are a major aspect of music.  Thanks to everyone so far on their views concerning The Voice!


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: celtic_girlakp on January 05, 2008, 09:36PM
You know, one of the great things about music is that it is presented to you and generally open for interpretation.  It's lovely to know the beginnings and intentions of songs, but personal views are a major aspect of music.  Thanks to everyone so far on their views concerning The Voice!

That is very well put. Thank you for saying that FAFO!


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Wyle_E on August 01, 2012, 09:51PM
I think it's God. When it says 'by my wounds you are healed' I immediately think of Christ's crucifixion. To me it does seem to point to God.
I'd also love to hear Lisa's interpretation of it.
But it's "Bring me your peace and my wounds, they will heal." That's not Jesus, and it's certainly not the genocidal sadist of the Old Testament.


Title: In regard to “The Voice”
Post by: Parker Gabriel on March 19, 2014, 09:40PM

At this juncture, whether anyone can do justice to “The Voice” the way Lisa Kelly did remains an unknown quality. “The Voice” was one of Lisa’s solo signatures beginning with her introduction of Celtic Woman’s version of it in ANJ, and to date, I have not yet heard any other member attempt it.

However, I do have hopes.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Parker Gabriel on May 26, 2018, 03:43PM
Standing Representative/Transitional Representative Susan McFadden has interpreted “The Voice,” for which I am at least relieved. However, comparing her and Founding Representative/Ambassadorial Representative Lisa Kelly’s respective versions of “The Voice” is like comparing apples and oranges.


Title: Re: The Voice
Post by: Parker Gabriel on May 26, 2018, 03:47PM
Eimear Quinn after winning the Eurovision Song Contest with a record number of points:

(http://www.celticcafe.com/archive/Music/eimear/images/e5.jpg)

Here she is on YouTube - the fiddler is Dr Cora Smyth:
"http://www.youtube.com/v/kpqq9K6MlyU&rel=1"


Bad news--the link is dead and the YouTube account terminated.