Home

Today’s selection is the only song I know by the indie folk/alternative rock band Villagers, formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 2008. I think I first heard “Home” on either KEXP Seattle or Apple Music.

The song has an interesting structure wherein the single-line chorus, sung in group harmony, has no detachment from the verses, which is noticeably different from the way most songs are formed.

The song’s meaning is a little hard to grasp; there seem to be references to discord, both within families and out in society, perhaps referencing the “The Troubles,” that long period of often violent conflict between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom member, Northern Ireland, when the strife would often divide families.

“The night’s synthetic half-light
Rolls over your steering wheel
I’m closing my eyes just for a while

(Can you call me when we’re almost halfway)

The house
The first thing I see
Filled up with a family
Surrounded by city and by sea

Can you call me when we’re almost halfway)
Will you wake me when we’re almost halfway
I don’t wanna take this trip alone

A saint is chasing a snake
For everybody’s sake
And so they go burning cars

(Can you call me when we’re almost halfway)

The mother prepares the weapon
Before handing it to son
Who watches his daddy runs

(Can you call me when we’re almost halfway)
Will you wake me when we’re almost halfway
I don’t wanna take this trip alone
Cause I’d never reach my home

The flames wander through the city
And set fire to the sea
Then out of the blaze appears a face

(Can you call me when we’re almost halfway)

A girl with a look in her eyes
As if to say, “I despise
Such poisonous family ties”

(Can you call me when we’re almost halfway)

But a poison as sweet as nectar
Could never forget or neglect her
It carries her home and closes her eyes

(Can you call me when we’re almost halfway)

So she goes back under
Swallows the water
Fixes her face like a good little daughter
And follows her family
Who follow a saint and a snake

(Can you call me when we’re almost halfway)
Will you wake me when we’re almost halfway
I don’t wanna take this trip alone
Cause I’d never reach my home
No I’d never reach my home
No I’d never reach my home
Home

(Can you call me when we’re almost halfway)
(Wake me when we’re almost halfway)
(Can you call me when we’re almost halfway)
(Wake me when we’re almost halfway)
(Can you call me when we’re almost halfway)
(Wake me when we’re almost halfway)
(Can you call me when we’re almost halfway)
(Wake me when we’re almost halfway)”

“Home,” by Conor J. O’Brien.
Lyrics retrieved from AZLyrics.com.

When I first heard the song, I misheard the lyrics as, “Can you call me when you’re almost halfway…”, which made me remember being home alone some weekend nights when my parents and siblings were all out, and me wondering when someone would come home to keep me company. (I think the singer is looking for company, too.)

The song comes from Villagers’ debut album Becoming a Jackal (2010).

Now you know a little about why this is my Song of the Day for Today. Thanks for joining me here. Please enjoy the audio from the VillagersTV YouTube channel:

With my best wishes,

Steve