2025 Competition Entry:
It’s All Love by Kitty Donohoe
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Genre
Folk
Artist
Website
Co-writer(s)
no
Performer(s)
me (Kitty) on piano and vocals and Carol Palms on cello.
Description
The wife of my wonderful brother, who I met when I was 14, has always been a part of our life.
She was always singing, laughing, and commenting – even when the ALS began to take away her faculties. I wasn’t able to attend her service as they live(d) in Oregon and I’m in Michigan but she was such a beloved person it was important to me to finish this song in time for her service. I have since changed a few words but it’s basically what it was a year ago.
She was always singing, laughing, and commenting – even when the ALS began to take away her faculties. I wasn’t able to attend her service as they live(d) in Oregon and I’m in Michigan but she was such a beloved person it was important to me to finish this song in time for her service. I have since changed a few words but it’s basically what it was a year ago.
Bio
Kitty Donohoe
50 Years and still going ~ Live and Unscathed!
Over 5 decades ago Michigan Emmy-winning songwriter Kitty Donohoe got her first paid gig and she hasn’t stopped since. Born into a large, creative family outside of Detroit (now based in Ann Arbor) Kitty grew up singing in church choirs, listening to her mother play classical piano at night, and dreaming of becoming a performer. She draws from her heritage in the music she writes (both songs and instrumentals) and calls her music ‘folky, Irishy & Canadianish’ ~ she backs herself on guitar, cittern and piano and a bit of fiddle.
“far above and beyond most singer-songwriters” Rich Warren, folk~dj icon, WFMT Chicago
To celebrate her 50+ years as a songwriter Kitty had a concert at the Ark in Ann Arbor this past May. Titled ‘Alive and Unscathed ~ Celebrating 50 Years as a Songwriter’, the night was a huge success and featured many musicians Kitty has played with over the years. Kitty was also awarded the 2024 Michigan Heritage Award that evening for her work promoting Michigan through her songs and in October she was presented with the Lantern Bearer Award by Folk Alliance Region Midwest.
“Fabulous show, Kitty. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!” Barb, longtime fan
On September 11, 2001, Kitty penned what is her best known song, Emmy winning “There Are No Words,” in response to the terrorist attacks. It quickly made it’s way around the country and the world garnering Kitty a Michigan Emmy as composer of the song. It was also used in an independent film and she sang it at the Pentagon on September 11, 2008 at the dedication of the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial.
In November 2022 Kitty received notice that three of her songs were singled out from the Great American Song Contest; two of them received ‘Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting’ and the third one was a Finalist in the competition. The press has praised Kitty for her outstanding songwriting, her work as an instrumentalist and her stunning voice.
“her songs are haunting, melodic and literate.” All Music Guide
“Kitty is making a name for herself in Irish America…high quality work.” Irish Music Magazine
“one of the rare singer-songwriters to sensuously weave words and melody into a strong,
mezmerizing fabric.” Sing Out!
In addition to writing and performing, Kitty leads musical tours to Ireland & Scotland every summer
50 Years and still going ~ Live and Unscathed!
Over 5 decades ago Michigan Emmy-winning songwriter Kitty Donohoe got her first paid gig and she hasn’t stopped since. Born into a large, creative family outside of Detroit (now based in Ann Arbor) Kitty grew up singing in church choirs, listening to her mother play classical piano at night, and dreaming of becoming a performer. She draws from her heritage in the music she writes (both songs and instrumentals) and calls her music ‘folky, Irishy & Canadianish’ ~ she backs herself on guitar, cittern and piano and a bit of fiddle.
“far above and beyond most singer-songwriters” Rich Warren, folk~dj icon, WFMT Chicago
To celebrate her 50+ years as a songwriter Kitty had a concert at the Ark in Ann Arbor this past May. Titled ‘Alive and Unscathed ~ Celebrating 50 Years as a Songwriter’, the night was a huge success and featured many musicians Kitty has played with over the years. Kitty was also awarded the 2024 Michigan Heritage Award that evening for her work promoting Michigan through her songs and in October she was presented with the Lantern Bearer Award by Folk Alliance Region Midwest.
“Fabulous show, Kitty. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!” Barb, longtime fan
On September 11, 2001, Kitty penned what is her best known song, Emmy winning “There Are No Words,” in response to the terrorist attacks. It quickly made it’s way around the country and the world garnering Kitty a Michigan Emmy as composer of the song. It was also used in an independent film and she sang it at the Pentagon on September 11, 2008 at the dedication of the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial.
In November 2022 Kitty received notice that three of her songs were singled out from the Great American Song Contest; two of them received ‘Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting’ and the third one was a Finalist in the competition. The press has praised Kitty for her outstanding songwriting, her work as an instrumentalist and her stunning voice.
“her songs are haunting, melodic and literate.” All Music Guide
“Kitty is making a name for herself in Irish America…high quality work.” Irish Music Magazine
“one of the rare singer-songwriters to sensuously weave words and melody into a strong,
mezmerizing fabric.” Sing Out!
In addition to writing and performing, Kitty leads musical tours to Ireland & Scotland every summer
Lyrics
like the light on a sparrow’s wing
a fragile fleeting thing
it’s here then gone
or a wave on a lonely shore
sun that spills across the floor
then moves on
there is so little we can hold on to
the only way out is to go through
life will bruise you come what may
in it’s hard and reckless way
and still we rise
through the kindness that we show
and the grace that we bestow
that never dies
there is no treasure we take when we go
there’s only one thing in the endless flow
and that is LOVE
only love
it’s all love
woven from one thread
we share wine and we share bread
we dance and sing
we tell our stories and our past
a connection that stands fast
in everything
as the river sweeps around the bend
there is no fear for there is no end
raise a candle to the sky
no need to question why
it shows the way
celebrate lift up your voice
drink it in sing out rejoice
have your say
life is such a wondrous melody
step aside embrace the mystery
for that is LOVE
only love
it’s all love
a fragile fleeting thing
it’s here then gone
or a wave on a lonely shore
sun that spills across the floor
then moves on
there is so little we can hold on to
the only way out is to go through
life will bruise you come what may
in it’s hard and reckless way
and still we rise
through the kindness that we show
and the grace that we bestow
that never dies
there is no treasure we take when we go
there’s only one thing in the endless flow
and that is LOVE
only love
it’s all love
woven from one thread
we share wine and we share bread
we dance and sing
we tell our stories and our past
a connection that stands fast
in everything
as the river sweeps around the bend
there is no fear for there is no end
raise a candle to the sky
no need to question why
it shows the way
celebrate lift up your voice
drink it in sing out rejoice
have your say
life is such a wondrous melody
step aside embrace the mystery
for that is LOVE
only love
it’s all love
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