On the 12 of January, I wrote this song rather quickly. What inspired me was a fascinating article about a tax that was imposed in Ireland in the 1800s. Governing laws of the time placed a tax on window light, hence the reason for the very small and few windows in traditional Irish rural homes.
Whoa! Tax the light?!? How cruel!
The Irish were clever and started cutting their doors in half. The half door was a useful method of beating the tax and allowed the light to return. The government called those with half doors Daylight Robbers.
I was stunned by this story.
Then my mind (and song) went on a tangent about other types of daylight robbers.. the kind that steal the light of others and makes them feel less than.
I realize that this is a completely different direction than the Irish story but I went for it. Songs sometimes take the songwriter on a journey. As I have been one heavily taxed by not so nice lovers in the past, by the time I finished writing, it all made sense.
"You can never hold a star."
That light is their own.
This was also the morning of the consultation for my memorial tattoo for my god daughter, Lauren Noel. Her light was stolen by someone else on her 27th birthday. I don't know if I will ever truly get over that. She is forever a star in the sky, never static, always in motion.
"You can never hold a star."
For Lauren.
- Fae
lyrics
You can’t keep me in the dark
You can’t make me cold
You can try to hide
All the love in my heart
But know, just know
My light’s returning
You can’t keep me alone
You can’t keep me waiting
Dreams grow like a storm
And a storm is a reckoning
I see right through you
I see right through your pain
Hate & history, fear & mystery
All the things you can’t explain
You cast shadows on tomorrow and yet you dance
Within the burning flame
You can keep my, you can’t keep my love
You can keep my, you can’t keep my light
You can keep my, you can’t keep my love
You can keep my, you can’t keep my blazing light
I see right through you
I see right through your pain
Daylight robbers, thieves & fathers
You can’t stop your wives & daughters
Don’t you know, don’t you know, don’t you know…
You can never hold a star
You can never hold a star
You can never hold a star
You can keep my, you can’t keep my light
credits
released June 23, 2023
Produced by Fae Wiedenhoeft and Ron Allen
Recorded by Ft Lawton Studio in Seattle, WA; engineered by Jim Roth
Additional recording of piano, vocals, and electric lead guitar by Four Lumen Studio in Kirkland, WA; engineered by Ron Allen
Mixed by Four Lumen Studio in Kirkland, WA; engineered by Ron Allen
Mastered by Dinosaur Dog Mastering in Boise, ID; engineered by Tyson Boorman
Electric guitar, vocals - Fae Wiedenhoeft
Electric lead guitar, synth - Ron Allen
Electric bass - Captain Chambers
Piano, backing vocals - Michael Falcone
Drums - Kubby Casual
SeaStar hails from the rainy town of Seattle.
Since 2007, Fae Wiedenhoeft and her band have been
entertaining audiences with their unique blend of Celtic Folk. Their award winning, traditional sounding compositions and clever story songs are loved and revered by many across the globe.
They have traveled to many places with their music and cannot wait to share some stories with you!...more
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