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I'll tell you when you're older

from hymns to swear by by Pádraig Ó Tuama

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about

This song was written between 1997 and 2010, with various renditions. Taking the idea of 'if your son asks you for bread would you give him a stone?' it begins in the reality that sometimes it does seem that we must eat stones.

lyrics

You’re a red rag waving to my sharp horns
Horns that turn inward as I charge toward your warmth
And your gift turns to a knife and it pierces through my skin
I pour my blood out, feeling guilty,
Small comfort for the place I’m in.

I remember when I lifted my hands and sang songs of mercy
I asked for blood when I was thirsty
I asked for stones, and meals of boulders
and you hid your face until I was older.

Now the Irish side to my Irish hide
has been screaming Sweet Jesus in my dreams
Whipping where he pleases.

I'll come and I wipe your tears away
I hear you say
I'll come and wipe your tears away
I'll come and wipe your tears away
Ah come and wipe my tears away
now that I'm older.

credits

from hymns to swear by, released March 17, 2010

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about

Pádraig Ó Tuama Belfast

poetry, songs, theopoetics, bits of heresy and lots of story.

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