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Neo-traditional Irish murder ballad. Haunting lament of an unwed mother’s plight in a strict Catholic culture.

lyrics

SWIMMING
There's a body in the river
A body floating there
If you look among the rushes
You can see her yellow hair
She's a shame to her family
A shame to womankind
There's no comfort in the company
Of small island minds
Oh Holy Mother full of grace
Blessed art thou amongst women
Oh Holy Mother pray for me
Then she went swimmin'
Oh a woman cannot answer
When the law tells her no
She has no absolution
Where can she go?
To the laundries, to the sisters
Of no charity
With no hope in heaven
Of living free
Chorus
Ah...
She waited for an answer
But the answer never came
She prayed Oh Holy Mother
The baby grew just the same
Salmon dinner on Good Friday
Father Murphy's eating well
But a mother with no husband Is condemned to hell
Chorus

credits

from Roses and Victory, released February 5, 2016
Honor Finnegan - vocals, uke
Aviv Roth - guitar
Pete Donovan - bass
Eric Puente - percussion
Jay Mafale - keyboard
Catherine Miles - harmony vocals

license

all rights reserved

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Honor Finnegan New York, New York

Honor Finnegan writes songs that are humorous then heartbreaking with melodies that soar. Formerly based in New York City, she now resides in Portland, Oregon, where mountain trails meet puppy dog tales. That's what Portland is made of.

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