“You rich will never understand it, and if I walk as if my shoes are made of lead,
It’s the shame of coming back home empty handed”

These are the words of George Papavgeri, and sung by Andy Irvine on a recent radio interview. I wasn’t expecting to hear Andy perform a new track, nor was I expecting the words the cut through me, in such a way. I was curious to find out more about where the song had come from. To my surprise the words were written by someone who had not written a song before 2001, but since then has written 104 songs and produced 4 solo albums. The song “Empty handed” was recorded by George on his first Album “Country side like this”, and is a very impressive tune for a new song writer and a debut album.

Georges version is more of a walking blues, and has somewhat of an upbeat melody that weaves behind the words, where as Andy has given it a more haunting approach. This new approach really gives the words a lot more depth, and together it is an extremely moving song. Andy has really emphasized certain lines and making some of the words cut right through you. The way he sings the line “you rich will never understand it” is sung with such bitterness in his voice, that you are frozen to your seat. The tune is played my Andy on a new version of a mandolin, basically two frets longer and tuned EBF#B. Maybe this is what gives this tune such a haunting feeling.

I wrote to George to ask more about the song, and where the inspiration for it had come from,

“I wrote Empty Handed in June 2002 with an Australian ex-convict farmer in mind (not a specific one, just a generic image). The idea came from the combination of two things: First, the memories of farming relatives back in Greece, me as a toddler dropping off by the fire in their house while listening to their conversations, which surprisingly for me were nothing to do with weather and crops, but with banks and money (I had to do some growing up before I could appreciate their worries). Second, my son’s immigrating to Australia sparked off an interest in the country and its history, so I did some heavy reading on the subject). Eventually I wrote a trilogy of songs:

a) Expiree – about an “expiree” convict in transportation (one whose term was about to “expire”), considering the option of staying on to make a future in the new country

b) Empty Handed – where he decides to stay and farm, but is bedevilled by drought and financial worries

c) The Rain Is Falling – where his wife is full of joy at their reprieve

The first two are in my first album “Countryside Like This”; the third one is coming out in my 4th album “Life As Usual” on 19th March this year.”

The words and Andy’s style of singing seem to be made for each other, so I curious to know how Andy had picked up the song, and how it had all come about.

“Andy heard me sing Empty Handed in April 2003 when he was guesting at the St Albans Windward club, where I am a resident, and at the end of the evening asked me if he could record it. Needless to say, I had to stop myself from kissing his feet! Andy was a real gentleman. We spent a couple of hours that night talking, and I really got to like him. He is one of the kindest people you could hope to meet.”

George’s son was in Canberra, Australia around the time that Andy was doing a tour there and went along to see him play. He was going to call his Dad if Andy was going to sing his song, so he could hear it……………….sadly his battery died. Not to worry, as George was given two tickets to see Planxty play in Ireland by Andy, and they have been practising this song in the group. It hasn’t appeared in the set, as yet, but I have a strong feeling that these gigs are not the end of Planxty. There has just been too much excitement for them to disappear so quickly………….we’ll see. Empty Handed, is probably more suited for Andy’s solo albums and we must have one in the pipe line, soon.

This is a beautiful song, and one that George should be extremely proud of. As yet, it has not been recorded by Andy but something tells me that it will. The words carry so much weight behind them, and together with Andy’s amazing way of creating such an atmosphere to hold them in, that this song is set to be remembered for a long time to come.

Until then, check out the original recording on the album “Country side like this” on his own web site.

I would like to Thank George for his kindness, and for telling me more about the song. I wish him all the very best of luck for the future and for the release of his new album “life as usual” out on the 19th March 2004.

Kieron.