Shadow of a Singer and His Song ~ Cherish the Ladies & Don Stiffe

From Cherish the Ladies latest release "Heart of the Home", Don Stiffe lends his magnificent voice to County Sligo songwriter Dermot Henry's insightful look into the trials and tribulations of a life in music. Artist: Cherish the Ladies Joanie Madden (flute / harmony vocals), Mary Coogan (guitar), Mirella Murray (accordion), Kathleen Boyle (piano / harmony vocals) with guests Nollaig Casey (fiddle) and Don Stiffe (lead vocals). Words and Music: Dermot Henry, Queen Maeve Publishing. Video by Kieran Concannon Filmed in Inishbofin, County Galway at The Galley, with special thanks to proprietors Caroline and Dermot Concannon Lyrics: SHADOW OF A SINGER AND HIS SONG Let me take you back in time, to the spring of ‘69 Eighteen summers I had seen and youth was in its prime School I’ve never seemed to do, I thought I’d sing a song or two So I said goodbye to learning and I left it all behind I bought myself an old guitar, dreamed I’d be a superstar Signed up with an agent and he made my dreams come true I was swimming with the tide, people knew me nationwide Far off hills were always were green and skies were always blue Chorus Sailing on my ship of dreams I thought the sun was rising just for me Still, I often thought of closing all the doors But the minstrel man would always long for more And a shadow of a singer and his song Still follows me…. Agents promised me rose gardens, but soon the good times turned to hard ones Upon reflection I began to read between the lines Ten years singing for the people, from young and strong to old and feeble While he was making dollars, I was only making dimes Chorus Now sometimes when my heart is hurting I wish someone would pull the curtain Than I think of all the joy that’s down this long and winding road In the end it’s all worthwhile when I see a tear turn to a smile And the people giving back to me much more Than I am owed…

Added 9 Oct 2026