The album is softer and sparser than other albums by Stevens, relying more heavily on his trademark banjo and melodious voice.
Seven Swans was received well by critics. The Guardian called it "a record of remarkable delicacy" and Spin magazine said it sounded "like Elliott Smith after ten years of Sunday school".
The album was released on compact disc and vinyl LP; the vinyl was released by Burnt Toast Vinyl.
Biblical allusions
Many of the songs on Seven Swans tell stories directly from the Bible.
All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands is a reference to Isaiah 55:12, where Isaiah says, "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."
In the Devil's Territory is probably a reference to Matthew 4:1, where Jesus spends forty days and forty nights fasting in the desert in order to face the temptation of the devil. The first line of the song references Psalm 46 and possibly the Brian Wilson song Be Still.
To Be Alone with You discusses Christ's atonement and how it has made him intimately connected with humanity ("You gave your body to the lonely, they took your clothes. You gave up a wife and a family, you gave your goals; to be alone with me...to be alone with me you went up on a tree.") The beginning could also be a lament of Judas Iscariot; "I'd give my body to be back again, in the rest of the room ," or Sufjan himself lamenting past sins, comparing himself to Judas.
Abraham references Genesis 22:1-19, wherein Abraham is tested by God and told to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Abraham is, at the last moment and with knife in hand, stopped by an angel and instead sacrifices a ram to God.
We Won't Need Legs To Stand is most likely speaking of the new, perfect bodies to be received upon entering Heaven. ("When we are dead, and we all have wings, we won't need legs to stand.")
He Woke Me Up Again is possibly referencing 1 Samuel 3, in which God keeps calling Samuel from his sleep, although in terms of the track itself, literally seems to refer to a father waking up his sleeping son.
Seven Swans references the Book of Revelation, though cloaked as a strange personal account. Though there are not seven swans in the Book of Revelation, there are seven angels (Revelations 8:2), and there is certainly a mention of seven horns, either the seven trumpets of the angels (Revelation 8:2) or the seven horns of the Lamb of God (Revelation 5:6). There is also Revelation 19:17: "...to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God". The fire in the yard may refer to the "hail and fire mixed with blood" cast upon the earth (Revelation 8:7). Also mentioned is a dragon (Satan) who tries to attack a woman who flees (Revelation 12:3-6)
The Transfiguration references the transfiguration of Jesus witnessed by the disciples Peter, James, and John found in Matthew 17:1-12. The song tells this story in a straightforward manner.
Other allusions
In the Devil's Territory alludes to the George Harrison song Long, Long, Long - a song about finding God.
A Good Man Is Hard to Find is based on Flannery O'Connor's short story of the same title. It is told from the viewpoint of the Misfit even though he is not the focus of the story.
"The Transfiguration" incorporates elements and motifs from Chicago, another song by Sufjan Stevens, leading up to the climax and through to the end of the song.
The Dress Looks Nice on You (single)
A 7" limited edition single of the second track of Seven Swans, The Dress Looks Nice On You, was released by Rough Trade in support of the album on March 8, 2004. The single features the song Borderline as a B-side. There was also a CD promo release of the single which features the same tracks.
Professional Reviews
★★★★☆ - AllMusic
★★★★☆ - The Guardian
★★★☆☆ - Rolling Stone
8.1/10 - Pitchfork
★★ - Robert Christgau
All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will I have arrived in time to share?
And mine is about as good this far
And I'm still applied to what you are
And I am joining all my thoughts to you
And I'm preparing every part for you
(Ta la, ta la la la ta, ta la la)
(Ta la, ta la la la ta, ta la la)
And I heard from the trees a great parade
And I heard from the hills a band was made
And will I be invited to the sound?
And will I be a part of what you've made?
And I am throwing all my thoughts away
And I'm destroying every bet I've made
And I am joining all my thoughts to you
And I'm preparing every part for you
For you
(Ta la, ta la la la ta, ta la la)
(Ta la, ta la la la ta, ta la la)
(Ta la, ta la la la ta, ta la la)
(Ta la, ta la la la ta, ta la la)
(Ta la, ta la la la ta, ta la la)
Sufjan Stevens's song "All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands" is a song about surrender and submission to a higher power. The singer of the song is questioning whether they will have "arrived" in time to share in what seems like a divine celebration, indicated by the sounds of a "great parade" and a "band" coming from the trees and hills. The singer is eager to be a part of whatever is happening, and is throwing away all their previous thoughts and plans to make sure they are fully prepared to participate.
The repetition of the lines "And I am joining all my thoughts to you / And I'm preparing every part for you" highlights the singer's focus on this higher power, and their desire to let go of their own individual desires and plans in order to fully participate in this moment. The ta las that punctuate the song give the sense of a joyful procession, making it clear that this is a moment of celebration and surrender rather than one of fear or anxiety.
Overall, "All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands" is a song that speaks to the beauty of letting go and joining in a larger celebration, and the joy that can be found in surrendering to something larger than oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
If I am alive this time next year
If I'm still breathing in a year, will I have accomplished enough to share with you?
Will I have arrived in time to share?
Have I achieved enough to contribute meaningfully to something we're working on together?
And mine is about as good this far
My progress has been decent so far.
And I'm still applied to what you are
I'm still focused on whatever it is we're working towards together.
And I am joining all my thoughts to you
I'm bringing my mental energy to combine with yours.
And I'm preparing every part for you
I'm getting everything ready for when we come together to make something amazing.
And I heard from the trees a great parade
I'm attuned with nature, and it feels like something big is happening.
And I heard from the hills a band was made
The hills are alive with the sound of music, and it fills me with excitement.
And will I be invited to the sound?
Will I have an opportunity to participate in whatever exciting thing is happening?
And will I be a part of what you've made?
Do I have a role to play in the creation of something special?
And I am throwing all my thoughts away
I'm shedding any previous mental baggage that could hold us back.
And I'm destroying every bet I've made
I'm abandoning any preconceived notions I had about what we'd make together.
And I am joining all my thoughts to you
Again, my mental energy is being directed towards our collaborative effort.
And I'm preparing every part for you
I want everything to be perfect and ready for when we start working together.
For you
This whole process is being done with you in mind.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sufjan Stevens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind