Olivia Chaney was born in Florence, Italy, and grew up in Oxford, England, studying composition, piano and voice. On graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in London, Chaney taught herself guitar and Indian harmonium, and began performing regularly as a soloist.

“Shelter” is Olivia Chaney’s second album, released in 2018. Shelter includes original songs that Chaney wrote in her family cottage in the hills of the North York Moors.

The song I chose today from this excellent album is, “IOU.”

These days I pay the touch
In debt to a previous crutch
Good man, he cracked my back
To help me sleep through dreams I lost

I want to make peace with you
It’s been too long
But you’ve held me in your grip
But I’m now past the fist

Each night when I return
Look out the back door alone
Count every star so bright
And wait out there for a new dawn

Oh won’t you make peace with me
It’s been so long
And I’ve held you in my grip
I’ll be gone and gone
Make peace with this
It’s been too long
That we’ve been held in our fix
When I’ll be done

Holding out my hands, woman told me to bend
Weakness open, there lies strength
Nevertheless I spoke too much
In doubt with all I once loved
Tried to fill the space that I now find
Is the reason I ache

Oh, I want to make peace with you
It’s been too long
You’ve held me in your grip
What I’ll pass at first

Won’t you make peace with me
It’s been too long
That I’ve held you in my grip
So come make peace
Songwriters: Olivia Clio Chaney