This was the first song I sang in public at a 3D real life singing session in Donegal after countless 2D lockdown zoom sessions. I’d been planning on singing ‘Skyscraper Wean’ but thankfully swerved to ‘Mary’s Dream’ at the last minute. I remember clutching my drink to my chest, closing my eyes and letting the story unfold. Once I was in it, there was no coming back till the end. That’s one of my favourite things about singing. You get to travel.

 

Many years ago, I went to a Celtic Connections singing circle in Glasgow. ‘We’ll just listen’ was the plan. I walked in the door and Sheila Stewart announced, “You’re a singer”. As soon as the song that was on-the-go finished she asked me to sing. I never even thought of saying no. Terrified, I considered ‘She Moved Through The Fair’ and ‘The Blacksmith’ then promptly launched in to ‘Delaney’s Donkey’. The people laughed and cheered and I thought I’d got away with it until Sheila said to me and the room, “Well that’s you done your party piece. Maybe next time you’ll sing a real song”. She’d seen right through me. I’ve always been grateful for that lesson. It’s the reason that all those years later I never sang ‘Skyscraper Wean’ in Donegal. ‘Skyscraper Wean’ is a fantastic song but it would not have been my bravest choice in that moment. A lot of hiding can happen behind a grin.....though there was no hiding from Sheila Stewart!