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Irish singer/songwriter Eleanor McEvoy isn’t all that popular in the U.S., but she’s been a big deal in her own country for a couple of decades. 

McEvoy is a bona fide musical prodigy. She began playing piano at age four and the violin at age eight. She earned an honor’s degree in music from Trinity College in Dublin. 

After four years with a symphony orchestra in New York, McEvoy returned to Dublin and began singing in local clubs. Her first album, “Eleanor McEvoy” was released in 1993. 

I’ve had that CD for a long time, and I still get emotional when I hear the song “Apologise.” 

I’m not sure what does it — the voice, the lyrics, the arrangement, or the dreadful subject of the song: spousal abuse. 

Apologise

By Eleanor McEvoy, 1993
Written by Eleanor McEvoy

He used to send her flowers
To apologise. To apologise.
He used to say how sorry he was,
And he’d flash a smile. 
Oh, he’d flash a smile.

And always she’d forgive him,
‘Cause he’d mean it for a while.
And then he’d send her flowers
To apologise. To apologise.

It wasn’t that he meant her harm,
I realise. I realise.
It’s just that life had taken him
A little by surprise. Just a little by surprise.

At times, he knew he’d failed her.
At times, he really tried.
When times were worst, he did his best
To compromise, to compromise.

Well, I told her once he’d break her heart,
Oh, but that wasn’t true. That just wasn’t true.
Broken things can be repaired
And held onto. And held onto.

But her heart had been shattered.
The pieces lay inside
In fragments much too tiny
To even recognise, To even recognise.

Well, I look now at the weariness
That lies in his eyes. Lies in his eyes.
And who am I to lay the blame
Or to criticize? Wouldn’t dare to criticize.

He’s sorry that he’s living, sorry he’s alive.
Sorry of the need 
To apologise. To apologise.
He’s sorry of the need 
To apologise. To apologise.