The Island lyrics

Celtic Thunder

Music Video

The Island

They say the skies of Lebanon are burning
Those mighty cedars bleedin' in the heat
They're showing pictures on the television
Women and children dying in the street
And we're still at it in our own place
Still tryin' to reach the future through the past
Still tryin' to carve tomorrow from a tombstone...

But Hey! Don't listen to me!
This wasn't meant to be no sad song
We've heard too much of that before
Right now I only want to be here with you
Till the morning dew comes falling
And I wanna take you to the island
Trace your footprints in the sand
And in the evening when the sun goes down
We'll make love to the sound of the ocean

They're raising banners over by the markets
Whitewashing slogans on the shipyard walls
Witchdoctors praying for a mighty showdown
No way our holy flag is gonna' fall
Up here we sacrifice our children
To feed the worn-out dreams of yesterday
And teach them dying will lead us into glory...

But Hey! Don't listen to me!
Cos this wasn't meant to be no sad song
I've sung too much of that before
Right now I only want to be here with you
Till the morning dew comes falling
I wanna take you to the island
And trace your footprints in the sand
And in the evening when there's no one around
We'll make love to the sound of the ocean

Now I know us plain folks don't see all the story
And I know this peace and love's just copping out
And I guess these young boys dying in the ditches
Is just what being free is all about
And how this twisted wreckage down on main street
Will bring us all together in the end
And we'll go marching down the road to freedom...

Freedom....... Freedom

Song Details

Songwriter: Paul Brady - Irish singer-songwriter and musician from Strabane, Northern Ireland.

Originally a central figure in the 1970s folk revival with groups like Planxty and The Bothy Band, Brady transitioned into a successful solo career in the 1980s.

His songwriting has been praised by legends like Bob Dylan and Bonnie Raitt, and his masterpiece, "The Island," remains a definitive anthem of peace and personal reflection, and is considered one of the most significant Irish songs of the 20th century.

Released in 1985 on his album Back to the Centre, it is a powerful anti-war anthem written during the height of the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland (1960s-1998).

Song Brief:
The song is built on a contrast between the horrific violence of the outside world and the private sanctuary of a love affair. Brady uses "the island" as a metaphor for a place where two people can find peace, away from the "worn-out dreams" and political slogans of the time.

Brady cleverly links the local conflict in Northern Ireland to global events to show the universal nature of suffering:

Lebanon: The opening verse mentions the "skies of Lebanon burning," referring to the Lebanese Civil War that was raging at the time (1975-1990).
Northern Ireland: He then brings it home, describing "whitewashing slogans on the shipyard walls" (referring to the Harland and Wolff shipyards in Belfast) and "carving tomorrow from a tombstone."

While it is often called a political song, Brady himself has described it as a love song.

It is a love song sung by one person to another in a context where neither has any power to change the way things are. — Paul Brady

It critiques the "witchdoctors" (political and religious leaders) who sacrifice young people for ideologies, with the famous biting line:

And I guess these young boys dying in the ditches is just what being free is all about.

Genre: Contemporary Irish Folk / Singer‑Songwriter

Covers: Dolores Keane, Celtic Thunder (featured).

Featured Artists: Celtic Thunder (Keith Harkin)

Album: The Show
Released: 18 March 2008
Format: CD & DVD
Label: Green Hill Productions