The songs for her album, 'The Pirate’s Gospel', were written on a trip to Europe. They were recorded in her father’s studio and were initially self-released in 2004, in paper and lace sleeves with hand lettering. The album was issued in revised form by Holocene Music in October 2006, and received widespread critical acclaim.
A new song, "Dry Grass and Shadows", was issued on a compilation of Nevada City artists, and five more new songs were issued on a limited-edition 10" vinyl pressing, Songs Whistled Through White Teeth, released in the UK in October 2006. The Pirate's Gospel was released in the UK on Names Records in April 2007, garnering favorable reviews in The Times and NME.
Alela Diane has toured in the USA both solo and with Tom Brosseau, and has also opened for the Decemberists, Akron/Family and Vashti Bunyan. She performed in the UK in April and August 2007. According to a relatively recent interview, her second album is to be expected shortly. She now lives in Nevada City, California.
She toured Europe (UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany) in March, April and May 2008.
The Pirate's Gospel
Alela Diane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna sing the pirate's gospel
I'm gonna sow these feet for dancin'
I'm gonna keep my eyes wide open (oh oh oh, mmm)
Yo ho yo ho
Yo ho ho
Yo ho yo ho ho
Yo ho ho
Sing the pirate's gospel
Add another flame
To our forest
Where big bellied whales
Keep us chanting
We're slapping fireflies
For tiny dancers
Weepy children creep
Until the morning
When the sun does seep
Into our fair flesh
Until the fingernails
Will take us home (oh oh oh, mmm)
Yo ho yo ho
Yo ho ho
Yo ho yo ho ho
Yo ho ho
Sing the pirate's gospel
While some folks pray
Their path to Jesus
We're gonna sing
The pirate's gospel
We're gonna sow
Our feet for dancing
We're gonna keep
Our eyes wide open
We're gonna sing
The pirate's gospel
We're gonna chant
The pirate's gospel
You'll find us clap
The pirate's gospel (oh oh oh, mmm)
Yo ho yo ho
Yo ho ho
Yo ho yo ho ho
Yo ho ho
Sing the pirate's gospel
Sing the pirate's gospel
In Alela Diane's song "The Pirate's Gospel," the singer expresses her individuality and departure from conforming to traditional religious practices. She sings about singing the pirate's gospel instead of rowing up to heaven or praying to Jesus. By doing so, she is embracing her freedom and rejecting societal norms. The lyrics "add another flame to our forest," "big-bellied whales keep us chanting," and "weepy children creep until the morning" allude to a community of like-minded individuals, who also reject religious norms and instead find solace in nature and music.
The repetition of "yo ho yo ho" gives the song a playful and carefree tone, which is further emphasized by the use of words such as dancin', fireflies, and tiny dancers. These all contribute to the overall message of the song, which is about finding joy in non-traditional ways and rejecting societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
While some folks row way up to heaven
While some people strive for religious purity and a place in heaven,
I'm gonna sing the pirate's gospel
I will embrace a more rebellious, non-conformist path.
I'm gonna sow these feet for dancin'
I will make the most of my body and its ability to dance.
I'm gonna keep my eyes wide open (oh oh oh, mmm)
I will remain vigilant and open to new ideas and experiences.
Yo ho yo ho
A celebration of a pirate's spirit and attitude.
Yo ho ho
A joyful emphasis on living in the moment.
Yo ho yo ho ho
An invocation of the pirate's code and way of life.
Sing the pirate's gospel
An exhortation to embrace an adventurous, unconventional lifestyle.
Add another flame
To make life even more exciting and daring.
To our forest
The community of people who share this lifestyle.
Where big bellied whales
Pirates' enemies and adversaries
Keep us chanting
Keep us energized and focused on our goals.
We're slapping fireflies
We take pleasure in small, magical things.
For tiny dancers
For people who fly in the face of mainstream culture.
Weepy children creep
People who are discouraged by the lack of acceptance of their lifestyle.
Until the morning
Until everyone can see the beauty and opportunity in this way of life.
When the sun does seep
When the possibilities and joys of living like a pirate become apparent.
Into our fair flesh
Into our souls, our spirits.
Until the fingernails
Until the very end of our lives, when we must return to the mainstream.
Will take us home (oh oh oh, mmm)
When we will have lived fully and embraced a truly alternative lifestyle.
While some folks pray
While some cling to a traditional, formal lifestyle and beliefs
Their path to Jesus
Their religious salvation and afterlife beliefs.
We're gonna sing
We will be joyful and defiant in our chosen path.
The pirate's gospel
Our manifesto and way of life.
We're gonna sow
We will plant and nurture our own spin on the human experience.
Our feet for dancing
Our bodies and our energy to embrace life to the fullest.
We're gonna keep
Our vigilance and our sense of purpose.
Our eyes wide open
Our willingness to look at life in a fresh and unconventional way.
We're gonna chant
Our voices will be strong and defiant against mainstream values.
You'll find us clap
Our community, gathered and united in our chosen lifestyle.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alela Diane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind