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My friend Jonny posted this as his facebok status about an hour ago:
POISONED BY MACDONALDS BLUES went to macd’s for a wispa mcflurry now im running to the toilet in a hurry went to macd’s, got me a big mac spent the next day flat on my back went to macd’s for a diet coke outta my way im gonna boke went to macd’s, got me some fries now i feel like im gonna die i aint ever goin back to eat that food although i hear the big tasty is quite good i got those poisoned by macdonalds blues
So I did a wee recording.
I was chatting with a friend of mine today who helped me record this track – Watch Me Fly – a few years ago. We pitched it for a TV show about a bunch of kids in a stage school so I wrote a lyric to go along with a riff and chord progression I had.
The lights beckon: it’s time for me to get up off my knees
The world threatens to leave me in the cold and watch me freeze
My pulse quicker, I stand up tall and take my rightful place
My blood’s thicker than the water that I splash upon my face
I’m on my way…just watch me fly
Cold shouldered, pushed around and treated like a fool
But I’m bolder, there’s nothing you can do to break my cool
I’m on my way…just watch me fly
at Dublin airport, March 2007
If you’d like a copy in your iTunes library (I use Windows 7…):
- right-click on the picture and select ‘save link as…’
- go to your iTunes folder
- in iTunes press Ctrl+, to go to Preferences
- click on the Advanced tab
- you’ll see the location of your iTunes folder – now click Cancel and go back to the window we were ‘Save link as…’-ing in
- Make a new folder called ‘Jay Wilson’
- Make a folder in that one called ‘Watch Me Fly’
- Save the track in the ‘Watch Me Fly’ folder
- Now right click on the picture again and select ‘copy image’
- Go to iTunes and Ctrl+O to add a file to your library
- Find the track and click Open
- Now right click on the track in your library and select ‘Get Info’
- Open the Artwork tab, click on the box, Ctrl+V will paste the image
Sorry if that seems complicated but if you weren’t familiar with how to do that, it’s really useful to know and there is a treasure trove of music out there on the internet for you to enjoy!
I’m happy to help you with any queries about the process (although I’m only familiar with PCs…).
Hope you enjoy the track – please leave some feedback. If it grows on you maybe you’d consider donating a few virtual coins via PayPal 
Last night I performed my latest song for the audience at Saint Brigid’s parish, Cabinteely. New Dublin Voices were doing a concert to raise money for a charity called Preda that helps children in the Philippines. The priest had suggested that it would be nice to have a new hymn composed for the occasion and I took on the challenge.
I didn’t know much about Brigid, but quickly discovered that she is patron saint of four main groups: babies, farmers, travellers and a last set to do with creativity and fire. This last group – comprising blacksmiths, poets, scholars and printing presses – was interesting to me. Some of the ideas associated with Brigid’s day come from the ancient pagan goddess of the same name. She was considered a goddess of fire and was thought to manifest herself through poetry (seen as the ‘flame of knowledge’ in ancient Gaelic culture), song and craftsmanship. Brigid’s day (the first of February) is the first day of Spring in the Irish tradition and Saint Brigid crosses are made. It would have been common in some households to burn the cross from the previous year in a symbolic act of renewal.
I wanted the song to be for the listeners, an invocation to think about the people, now and through the ages past, for whom Brigid was a source of inspiration and hope. Consideration, appreciation and love of others is something we can all strive for and practice. With or without words.
(click on the title to play…)
Burn like a mother’s love
For her newborn child
And its tiny beauty.
Pray – with or without words -
Oh, for the tiny children.
Burn like a farmer’s limbs
When the work is done,
When the day is over.
Pray – with or without words -
Oh, for the farmer working.
And the simple cross
Hanging on the wall
Can remind us all
Of springtime’s promise. (repeat)
Burn like the stars above,
Guiding trav’llers home
From a tiring journey.
Pray – with or without words -
Oh, for their safe return.
Burn like a great idea,
One that thrills the ear
And delights the mind.
Pray – with or without words -
Oh, for the truth to shine.
And the simple cross
Hanging on the wall
Can remind us all
Of springtime’s promise. (repeat)
(lyrics and music © Jonathan Wilson 2009)
These tracks were recorded by my talented friend Paul Donnan in the beautiful entrance hall of Powerscourt in County Wicklow. I have a fascination, inherited from my father, with Irish ‘Big Houses’. Powerscourt has its own special sadness – it was destroyed by fire in 1974 – and this is never far from one’s thoughts within its bare-brick interior (restored in 1996). I dare you to examine unmoved the photos of the house from before the fire that are displayed inside.
It was a real treat to be playing my songs in that place while the winter night seethed with jealousy outside.
I chose two: my latest song, ‘Face in a frame’ and a song I wrote about five years ago which I call ‘Little boy’. I realise now that it’s finally recorded that it’s as much about the little girl…any ideas on what it should be called? (Paul called it ‘Tonight’.) Click on the titles to listen.
Carry my love over the ocean; bring him back here, back to my arms. Accuse me of greed – I don’t care for reason – I just know I need him keeping me warm. The neighbours are kind – they smile and make small talk – but I politely decline when they ask to tea. I couldn’t help counting the chairs at the table. The catch in my throat: “No, everything’s fine”. Your face in a frame (last summer’s vacation). Your coat on a hook on the back of the door. I walk in the rain reliving old memories; each line on your face the same as before. Our boy’s growing tall, he’s stronger each day now. He asks me no questions, I tell him no lies. I can see in his face that he wants to protect me. I wonder can he see the same thing in mine? Your face in a frame (our boy on your shoulders). Your coat on a hook on the back of the door. I’ll try to explain when he’s a bit older. Oh why can’t things stay the same as before?
Little boy, what have you done? Little boy, what have you done? You’re so big and strong. You’re so big and strong. Little girl, what have you done? Little girl, what have you done? You’re so beautiful. You’re so beautiful. Tonight the angels rejoice over you. Little boy, what have you done? Little boy, what have you done? I’ll wipe your tears away. I’ll wipe your tears away. Little girl, what have you done? Little girl, what have you done? I’ll wipe your tears away. I’ll wipe your tears away. Tonight the angels rejoice over you.
Just uploaded my ‘three songs’ album to this online store where you can preview full versions of the tracks. If you’d prefer a CD, get in touch and I’ll send you one.
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