HIRAETH by Lisa Hartt
HIRAETH doesn't have a single, perfect English translation.
It is usually translated as "homesickness" but has a greater meaning.
It captures a deep, bittersweet feeling of longing and nostalgia that goes beyond simply missing a place or person.
Especially in the context of Wales and Welsh culture.
My husband Michael Spillane was Welsh and proud of his roots.
His deepest desire at the end of his life was to retire and die in Wales.
ARRIVAL & HIRAETH are both featured on the CD.
basically the songs from Arrival chronicle my journey of recovery which has resulted in 43 years of sobriety alongside my partner Michael who would have 47 years if he had lived.
Life on life's terms is what we call it.
Michael died too young at age 68 on 2022 and life changed for me in that moment.
The songs now chronicle the grief journey that I experience, and I say it in the present tense because grief knows no timeline.
I can be busy with my day and out of nowhere a deep primal howl makes me want to scream in agony and weep forever.
It gets stuck in my throat and stays like a lump until it subsides, and I can carry on.
I have so much to be grateful for and as Michael says: The Truth will Set you Free.
Tracklist
| 1. | Nobody's Wife | 3:39 |
| 2. | Quiet Spaces | 4:23 |
| 3. | Best Friend | 4:12 |
| 4. | I Choose Love | 4:09 |
| 5. | Don't Tell Me How I Feel | 4:50 |
| 6. | Wasted | 4:09 |
| 7. | Sail Away | 4:40 |
| 8. | Tell The Truth | 3:56 |
| 9. | Private Party | 3:46 |
| 10. | The Night I Learned to Dance | 3:32 |
Credits
Please see individual tracks for credits.
Original cover artwork created by the wonderful Jennifer Herbert and her company "Lipstick & Dirtyboots" 2025
License
All rights reserved.
Lisa Hartt has been a singer songwriter & sound maker. Raised in Montreal, Lisa is a Juno award nominee for “Starwatcher”.
She has recorded & toured with some of Canada’s and the worlds’ legends such as Anne Murray, Ken Tobias, Gino Vannelli, April Wine, Phil Ramone, David Foster, Maurice White, Natalie Cole, and Jonas Gideon to name a few, bringing her own brand of joy to the sonic landscape.