This is the first entry into the Robbie O’Connell Songbook. It’s not the first song I wrote, but it feels timely. The back story is interesting and I will think on it and work on the writing part of this project as soon as we nail down the technical bits and pieces. The first decision was do we make this an audio post and we’ve decided not to because the idea was mostly to provide the lyrics and relevant information on the songs and, secondly, to provide links to various recordings, both studio and live. We are feeling our way to making this work for everyone interested… so, the title is a bit of a double meaning.
THERE IS HOPE
© Robbie O’Connell 1998 Slievenamon Music (BMI)
Like crystal crashing on a stone floor
All the plans lie shattered now.
But glass shards tempered in a healing fire
Can take another shape somehow.
Chorus
People say that it's too late now,
The time to change has come and gone.
But I believe there is hope now,
Hope to change and carry on and carry on.
Behind wire fences and by concrete walls
Among the rubble flowers still thrive.
They stretch their heads up to the sunlight
Determined always to survive.
The preacher is quick to quote the bible
But very slow to change his heart.
Words that should bring us together
Are used to keep us all apart.
History books are filled with stories
That tell us when but never why.
And though we can’t find all the answers
We still can keep the hope alive.
Live recording at the Augusta Heritage Irish Week 2007, Elkins, West Virginia
Photo: Fionán O’Connell Photography
I believe…