Geography, History by Waiting Space

'Geography, History' was commissioned by RTÉ Radio1, as a follow-up to an interview Waiting Space gave about Waterford in 2022, for the documentary series ‘The County Measure’. The series subsequently invited Waiting Space back in late 2024, to compose a piece of music inspired by Waterford. This was released on RTÉ's website in October 2024 (https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22434272/), and is now being generally released by Waiting Space, in April 2025.

About the Song:

Talking about the song, Chris Falconer (Waiting Space), has said:

'When I sat down to begin writing, I realised that it is hard to try and convey what Waterford means to me, without giving reference to both the incredible geography of County Waterford, and also to the history of Waterford City (Ireland’s oldest City).

And so, in line with its title, the song has two halves: a piano/vocal led first section, with lyrics emoting the geography of Waterford’s coastline (in particular, what it can feel like to look out from the coastline of the seaside town of Tramore in Co. Waterford [where I have recently moved]); while a much more populated/electronic second half comes with lyrics focusing on Waterford history - in particular references Viking and Norman periods in Waterford City itself (where I was born).

When writing the lyrics, I attempted to write about real life characteristics and features of Waterford, which - when described in the context of the song - end up seeming almost like passages from fantasy novel. A good example is the towering ‘Metal Man’ statue, that has been standing on the Tramore coastline for 200 years this year - all that time warning sailors of the dangerous shoreline ahead...'

The original ‘The County Measure’ episode about Waterford, that Waiting Space was interviewed on in 2022, can also be listened back to on RTÉ’s website (I appear shortly after 22:26): https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22142810/

Lyrics:

Verse 1:

I stand on
Eroded coast,
At the heal of a country,

On a cliff face,
Lined with ghosts,
The Metal Man warns loudly.

Copper ores,
Buttressed coves,
Natural arms that surround me.

I breath in,
Sea wind cold,
As south-east sun, warms me.

Chorus:
I, I, I’m aware of my,
My periphery,
And all that came before me.
I, I, I’m aware of my,
My periphery,
And all to come after me.

Verse 2:
Along walled stone,
The river flows,
A quay from Adelphi.

In a place that’s
Older than most,
A crystal
With no boundary.

From long boats,
To Strong Bows,
Intacta,
A City parries.

Streets widths,
Stalled in time,
While a towered clock,
Reminds me.

Chorus 2 & 3:
I, I, I’m aware of my,
My periphery,
And all that came before me.
I, I, I’m aware of my,
My periphery,
And all to come after me.

I, [I stand on,]
I, [eroded coast,]
I’m aware [at the heel of a country,] of my, [in a place that’s,]
My periphery, [older than most,]
And all that came before me. [a crystal, with no boundary.]

Tracklist

1.	Geography, History	4:33

2.	Geography, History (Instrumental Version)	4:33

Credits

releases April 10, 2025

Written, Performed, Recorded, & Mixed by Waiting Space

Mastered by Richard Dowling, of WAV Mastering

License