Before you push the chair - Stephen Murphy

Books: thesleepingwar...
thesleepingwarrior
bookings and information: [e-mail]
Written & Performed by Stephen Murphy.
When I first mentioned I was writing about depression I got an email from a friend & peer to say he was sorry to hear I suffered, but that he had no idea prior to my post - he just assumed because I stood up on stage every now and again I must be grand. The truth of it is that I've spent a large part of the past 20 years bitten by the black dog, but I think more people have than will ever let on, but much of the time is spent 'keeping the best side out'. The days of either being mad or sane are thankfully over, & if we sat down for a chat we'd probably find that we're only as mad as each other. I don't expect many people to watch this to be honest, nor does it matter one way or another. My only hope is that it might find its way to somebody in the darkness, and possibly bring them some bit of light along the way.
It won't be for everyone, but nothing is.
I dteannta le chéile is fearr sin.

[@JamesHaneffy]

Unbelievable piece of work. Love the line “That the they we like to blame in life is only ever we…” Great mantra to remind yourself that you can almost always do more or better yourself before pointing the finger at others 👏🏻

[@inisciuin3105]

@@JamesHaneffy Thank you, James. Aye, we live in a world where the other, whatever that happens to be, is easier to blame than to stand face to face with the self and acknowledge our own shadow. Thanks for sitting with this, and for the kind words.

[@ZakAllen-p3f]

I come back to this masterpiece every year. Thank you for your words and light you shine on such a poignant issue. This truly is a blessing. I have shown it to many students within my classroom - how important it is to contemplate such profound ideas in this world we live in… thank you

[@inisciuin3105]

@ZakAllen-p3f Thank you. That's a lovely message to get at a time I've very little faith that anyone's listening or any of it's getting through. Thank you too for showing it to the students in the classroom, I suppose maybe I shouldn't need reassurance of why I do it, but it's a welcome boost. Míle buíochas 💚

[@johnanthonyfingleton2954]

I have not the words for this.

[@inisciuin3105]

Not sure if that's a good or a bad thing John, but thank you for giving it your time!

[@pjms67]

Stopped me i n my tracks today when I heard this today, amazing

[@ryanjohnlis]

Will open the eyes of so many and inspire so many!!

[@panoramicLight]

Gosh, gosh, gosh. How you encapsulate soooo much in such compact and conscious terms, never ceases to amaze me......thank you for the extraordinary craft of your words....

[@renagown]

Powerful, brave and honest as ever. Thank you, Stephen - you are the real deal.

[@ziearmo]

I've been in awe of with your poetry for the last couple of years. I love the honesty, valor and compassion in them and the integrity of your renditions. Thank you!

[@tedmellamphy8186]

Wonderful, word wisdom. A thinking mans poet. Thank you Stephen for your powerful and sincere thoughts.

[@marianne1532]

Fantastic Rap... with insight and inspiring words. I love the last few lines.....It's not us that's killing time but time that's killing us! Love is Light.

[@lucyblabla1]

Very beautiful yet heartbreaking... Makes you stop and take a deep breath.

[@peterkelly9768]

met this man on the train today what a god,s send . keep up the good work . a really nice guy .

[@almister]

This is an important, moving and meaningful poem. 10/10, much love everyone.

[@smithyboii1022]

You put into words something a lot of us are feeling, you have an amazing talent, I would love if you could put all your poems into a book, I would love to get it,

[@sarahfraughen8223]

I keep coming back to watch this! It makes me want to paint.

[@chacahill6878]

Numbs me every time I listen.

[@danimurphy5990]

Listening back to your Newstalk and came across your interview! SO SPECIAL..Thank you!

[@amldogmcc]

Thank you for talking about a very difficult but very necessary subject …. what I love most about it is HOW you talk about it. So many people cannot express themselves at all let alone in the understandable and truly descriptive way you have done. As you say, if you bring light to even 1 pained person, then you will have fulfilled a wonderful role in this life and no doubt you are far from finished.... I thank you. You must have a wonderful soul.

[@jacinthaayres9083]

Words. Powerful things when put together so effortlessly.

[@inisciuin3105]

Thank you Jacintha, though it did take months to write, so I'm not sure if effortlessly is the right word for it!

[@margaretmcmurray9670]

Lovely words ❤

[@brendamccann6764]

Thank you Stephen for your most touching words and wisdom touching souls accross the waters. God bless and keep going with the beautiul flow of words. xx

[@christinamckennairishautho7350]

So powerful and moving! Thank you, Stephen.

[@jodielewis7739]

Beautiful man

[@cazz_ess]

Saw you perform this a couple of nights ago at the Olympia when you supported David Keenan. I was very moved. Hit me hard x

[@Peterkearney76]

Beautifully written and well said

[@jimmeehan5556]

Magnificent.

[@boluheather2892]

Heard you perform this on Saturday, in the, beautifully, refurbished Bewley’s, Dublin. Pleased to have joined those who know your work.

[@annmarie9631]

That is amazing. Thank you for sharing

[@sarahfraughen8223]

beautiful as always

[@judygayton5836]

Brilliant

[@MrMartyCooke]

Well said, Stephen! (And well written)

[@elliebhb]

simply amazing

[@oulpete1]

brilliant! wordsmith at his best!

[@dubz7669]

Wow this is powerful, simply amazing.

[@marimaxwell3587]

Wow! Inspirational. Well, well said!

[@dzlyons]

Stephen, you're an amazing talent. I wish i was half as gifted as you - I would rip the sham shams in our government a new one on a daily basis. Keep up the wonderful struggle

[@kennethbrady9941]

Wow..true!

[@michaeldevereux7862]

Well done. Heard you on NewsTalk. Fair Play.

[@brianpoetart]

This is epic, congrats :-)

[@roryhogan5971]

Made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Thank you. Have you heard of "Recovery Inc."?

[@crowpope]

Wow....

[@michaelosullivan2305]

👍👌

[@Wolf-CanisLupus]

/mok cheer-a/ Bravo!

[@caitrionaweafer2993]

Ar fheabhas! ♥

[@rachbrocoli]

Any chance of captions? Not the auto ones as they are quite slow and don't do the poem justice (I suspect). I'm a deaf user and I would love to be able to understand this :-)

[@inisciuin3105]

Hi Rachael, if you send me on an email at [e-mail] I'll send you on the words. I don't just want to put them up online 'cause no-one will bother buying the book once it's out, but exceptions must be made!

[@inisciuin3105]

Hi Rachael, apologies for the delay but I put the words up earlier over on facebook.com/thesleepingwarrior if you want to have a read. All the best, Stephen.

[@fergalfeeney686]

savage