Bloom like Orchids

from Wild Place by Jack O'Rourke

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lyrics

Bloom Like Orchids
I dreamed a choir a swaying, the sound, it painted murals of black angels
They sang, “there ain’t no word, there ain’t no feeling
To show that rage a seething.”

They sang, “listen boy, listen good,
Don’t try to empathise,
You’ll never walk in these shoes
To look at your son and think of Emmett Till,
The Gallant South that’s gone with the wind.”

Singing, “I sass and style but I don’t own my own surname
Burnt like an heirloom - our roots are scattered to the wind
I’ll break these chains that you can’t see
My children gonna bloom like an orchid
They gonna dream a dream that dreams back at me
They can surrender to the air and ride it and be free

I dreamed a Hard killing floor, they’re raising fists to beat the band
Overturning old ways - questioning law and and the lie of the land
If those blues notes wink at you, rejuvenate your senses like the morning dew
Rewrite our history or let the shame
droop like willow tree - there no alternative

Chorus

I dreamed of Lady Day - standing like a Harlem Queen
Bate from pleasing Yankees and white folks
She asked, “Are things much different now?”
She looked at my uncertainty
The murels of black angels quick singing in their urgency
She pointed at three brothers, and took my hand
And walked me to a better land

She sang, “I got sass and style, But I don’t own my own surname
Burnt like an heirloom, my roots are scattered to the wind
I’ll break these chains that you can’t see

My children gonna bloom like an orchid
They gonna dream a dream that dreams back at me
They can surrender to the air and ride it and be free

I dreamed a choir a swaying

credits

from Wild Place, released November 5, 2021
Words and Music: Jack O’Rourke

Production: Davie Ryan and Jack O’Rourke
Mixing: Ber Quinn
Mastering: Philip Shaw Bova

Vocals and Piano: Jack O’Rourke
Guitars: Hugh Dillon
Cello: Aisling Fitzpatrick
Fender Rhodes: Rory McCarthy

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Jack O'Rourke Cork, Ireland

Jack O’Rourke was described by Hotpress as “one of Ireland’s most gifted songwriters” in a review for his 2019 album, Ivory Towers. A Corkonian, Jack certainly references the musicality of Leeside turn of phrase, but his songs explore unique character studies, matters of the heart and are deeply personal, yet universal. This particularly rings true on his upcoming third album, Wild Place ... more

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