Kate Grealy: Music

• MP3 play whole song, hi-fi (broadband)
• MP3 play whole song, lo-fi (modem)

Kate grew up in regional Australia and so, when she moved to the metropolis of Melbourne (as most young country folk do these days) she became overwhelmed by the insanity of the fast lifestyle everyone led. The song was written when she returned home and spent some time in ‘the bush’ and reflects the ease she felt in returning to the dry but beautiful north-eastern land. This sentiment is best expressed by the simple line “looking up into the night sky, stars shining so bright. No interference from city lights …” and also by the “embrace” of the warm, grassy earth which she analogises to the security of a lover.

The second part of the song examines ‘blindness’ and ‘seeing’ and how, once someone opens their eyes to an aspect of life, those eyes can’t be closed again. It is a simple expression of a dilemma we all face, that of finding security and freedom in security while, ironically, feeling suffocated by that very same feeling. The ultimate question of these lines is ‘should one be brave and risk losing the peace of security, or should one just plod along, remaining secure yet frustrated?’

Looking up into the night sky
Stars shining so bright
No interference from the city lights
No interference from that city life, that I left behind

Looking up into the open sky
I feel layers peel away from my weary eyes
I lay down on my side and sink into a most beautiful embrace
That is sweeter than a lover’s smile
And easy as the Reason that gently drives
The cocoon to awaken for the birth of the butterfly
Birth of the butterfly

There’s a strange irony in security for
In being secured I am somewhat caged
It’s so strange to see that very thing which ties you down
Also keeps you safe for if my
Hands were tied they’d never be unclean
And if I had closed my eyes I would not have seen what I have seen
Once you open up the blinds
You can’t ignore the sunshine
You can’t ignore the sun

Looking up into the night sky
Stars shining so bright
No interference from the city lights
No interference from that city life…