ACB released its first full length album, Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest, on June 21 of 2005, and was featured in Solid State's Young Bloods Tour with The Chariot, Showbread, and He Is Legend.
Earlier in the year, the band released a statement saying that vocalist TJ was getting married and leaving the band, so they decided to call it quits. However, partially through their 'farewell tour', they decided to stay together, but eventually T.J. decided to depart from the band and go his own way.
The band's second album, titled "Come Now Sleep" was released August 14, 2007, on Tooth and Nail Records. Different from their previous recordings, however, the genre featured on Come Now Sleep has been classified by the band themselves as Rock / Indie / Progressive.
As Cities Burn's third studio album was released on April 21, 2009, with the title "Hell or High Water". The band's music evolved even more with their final album, venturing into indie rock territory but while still maintaining their unique post-hardcore sound.
On the bands myspace on July 17, 2009, the band announced that they had broken up and were going to pursue other interests.
As of 2012 they have re-united for a reunion tour with the original line-up from their first full length album SILYAYD. including TJ on Vocals
2013 - they are Currently supporting Underoath on their farewell tour. They have stated that they are only playing song off of Son, I loved you at your darkest.
Members:
T.J Bonnette-lead vocals
Cody Bonnette-vocals, guitar
Colin Kimble-Bass guitar/guitar/backup vocals
Aaron Lunsford-Drums
Chris Lott- Guitar
Former Members:
Bryan Dixon- Drums
Pascal Baronne-Bass
The Widow
As Cities Burn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or was I just a seed
Buried deep inside some woman you wed
Right before you crawled out of her bed
And crept down the hall?
Did you think of me?
Did you even for a second hesistate in the doorway?
It's just something that I'd like to know
Though I'd still love you if you told me
That you just walked away
My God, what a world you love
Where men bury their sons
And without thought just walk away
And my mother's heart breaks like the water inside of her
Dead man, is it being high that makes you alive?
It makes you leave behind
Three boys and a wife in '89
As the track marks inched their way up your arm
My mother taught my brothers and I
Not to call you daddy
But to call you Father
But I believe there is something here to be learned of grace
Cause I can't help but love you
Even with a heart that breaks
Like the promises that you made
The lyrics of "The Widow" by As Cities Burn explore the painful and complicated relationship between a son and his absent father. The song begins with the question, "Dead man, were you ever alive?" which sets the tone for the emotional struggle that the singer faces. He goes on to wonder if his father ever thought of him before leaving the family and if he hesitated before leaving for good. Despite the hurt that his father inflicted on the family, the singer still longs for his love and approval.
The lyrics also address the larger issue of societal expectations and the roles that men and fathers are supposed to play. The lyric, "My God, what a world you love, where men bury their sons" speaks to the idea that men are supposed to be providers and protectors, and when they fail in these roles, it can have devastating consequences for their families. The line, "But I believe there is something here to be learned of grace," suggests that the singer is searching for a way to forgive his father and find closure with the past.
Overall, The Widow is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the complex relationship between fathers and sons, and the struggles that families can face when those relationships break down.
Line by Line Meaning
Dead man, were you ever alive?
Questioning if the absent father ever truly lived.
Or was I just a seed
Wondering if the father ever had any concern for the child.
Buried deep inside some woman you wed
Acknowledging the mother as the only connection to the father.
Right before you crawled out of her bed
Alluding to the idea of abandonment after having fulfilled his biological duty.
And crept down the hall?
Questions the thought process of the father in leaving the family.
Did you think of me?
Asks if the father ever thought about the child that he left behind.
Did you even for a second hesitate in the doorway?
Asks if there was any remorse in the father's decision to leave.
It's just something that I'd like to know
Expresses the desire of the child to know more about the father's absence.
Though I'd still love you if you told me that you just walked away
Expresses the unconditional love that the child still holds for the father.
My God, what a world you love
Reflects on the brokenness and chaos of the world that the father left behind.
Where men bury their sons
Speaks to the tragedy of fathers outliving their own children.
And without thought just walk away
Comments on the apparent lack of care or concern on the part of the father.
And my mother's heart breaks like the water inside of her
Describes the emotional pain that the mother experiences as a result of the father's neglect and abandonment.
Dead man, is it being high that makes you alive?
Rhetorical question about the father's possible drug addiction being the reason for his departure.
It makes you leave behind three boys and a wife in '89
Acknowledges the devastating impact of the father's addiction on the family.
As the track marks inched their way up your arm
References the physical manifestation of the father's addiction.
My mother taught my brothers and I not to call you daddy
Speaks to the mother's decision to distance the family from the father.
But to call you Father
Acknowledges the biological relationship between the father and the children, despite his absence.
But I believe there is something here to be learned of grace
Reflects on the possibility of forgiveness and redemption despite the pain and hurt caused.
Cause I can't help but love you
Reiterates the love that the child still holds for the father, despite everything.
Even with a heart that breaks like the promises that you made
References the broken promises that the father made to the family.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind