They later changed their name before the release of their eponymous second album, Augustines, which was released on February 3rd, 2014.
Their third album, This Is Your Life, was released on June 10th, 2016.
They announced they were splitting up in September 2016 and played their last show at the Liverpool Academy in England on the 31st of October 2016. The show was broadcast by Facebook Live.
Their story has been documented in Todd Howe's movie ''RISE'', set to be released in 2017.
Book Of James
AUGUSTINES Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And behind him the girls played double dutch in the park
The sun began to burn his snow white skin
I guess you're headin' somewhere or endin' up somewhere
Storm clouds began to form in his head
And crisscrossed his mind like a restless angry ocean
And the howling of hardship and heartache
He stood there in his shoes unable to move
Kid, I drove all night here to tell you I love you
And here lies my green eyes
Rolled back in my head, but they're alive
And all the words can all get spoken
Well I know we tried and you're forgiven
You're forgiven
He made his way down the boulevard
Near the 99 cent stores and the garbage in the yards
And he began to sing
About the crickets and the backroads where we used to play
I guess you're either headin' somewhere or endin' up somewhere
Cause I tried the bible, I tried the bottle
I tried the needle, I tried to love people
And in the end there ain't nothin' to say
And in the end there ain't nothin' you can say anyway
And I stand here in my shoes, unable to move
My hat in my hands, at the bottom of the ocean
And here lies my green eyes
Rolled back in my head but they're alive
And all the words can all get spoken
Well I know we tried and you're forgiven
And here lies my green eyes
Rolled back in my head but they're alive
And all the words can all get spoken
Well I know we tried and you're forgiven
"Book of James" by Augustines is a poignant and bittersweet song that tells the story of a man who is at a crossroads in his life. The song begins with a vivid scene of a man sitting alone on a park bench. The girls playing double dutch behind him contrast sharply with his melancholy state. The sun beats down on him, highlighting his snow-white skin. The storm clouds gathering in this mind suggest that he is in a dark place, weighed down by hardship and heartache. Yet, he remains standing, immobile in his shoes, unable to move.
The story takes a sudden turn when a stranger arrives and tells him that he drove all night to tell him that he loves him. This unexpected gesture of affection reaffirms that although life can be tough, there is always hope to find love and support. The lyrics speak of the singer's inner turmoil and the various attempts he has made to find solace in life. He has tried everything from the Bible to drugs and alcohol to no avail. The song ends with the image of green eyes rolled back in their head, a symbol of a life that has been lived to the fullest but is not yet over.
Augustines' "Book of James" is an emotionally complex song that speaks to the universal theme of the struggles we all face in life. Through his emotive lyrics, the song's protagonist's story resonates with anyone who has felt lost, lonely, or broken. The song reminds us of the importance of human connection, even in the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
On a park bench sat a crimson beating heart
A person is sitting on a park bench, with a heart that beats with emotion and vitality.
And behind him the girls played double dutch in the park
In the background, girls are cheerfully playing double Dutch in the park.
The sun began to burn his snow white skin
The person starts to feel the the hot sun on their pale skin.
I guess you're headin' somewhere or endin' up somewhere
Maybe you're going somewhere or just wandering to pass the time.
Storm clouds began to form in his head
His thoughts start to become cloudy and troubled like an angry sea.
And crisscrossed his mind like a restless angry ocean
His mind is tumultuous and tumults like a restless ocean.
And the howling of hardship and heartache
The hardship and heartache inside him are howling and overwhelming.
Kneeled and grinned in his face
These hardships seem to mock him, even kneel and grin at him.
He stood there in his shoes unable to move
He is paralyzed and unable to move, metaphorically speaking, as the weight of his troubles bear down on him.
Kid, I drove all night here to tell you I love you
Someone arrives after spending an entire night driving, to tell him that they love him.
And here lies my green eyes
Here is where you can see my vulnerable and honest gaze,
Rolled back in my head, but they're alive
Even though my eyes are rolled back with emotion and feeling, they are still full of life.
And all the words can all get spoken
Even though we may have tried to say everything, in the end it may still not be enough.
Well I know we tried and you're forgiven
Despite everything, we tried our best, and I forgive you completely.
He made his way down the boulevard
He walks down the street,
Near the 99 cent stores and the garbage in the yards
Surrounded by cheap stores and garbage in the streets.
And he began to sing
He starts to break into song.
About the crickets and the backroads where we used to play
He reminisces about the past and sweet memories of playing outside when they were younger.
Cause I tried the bible, I tried the bottle
Despite his best efforts to find guidance in religion and to turn to alcohol for an escape.
I tried the needle, I tried to love people
He tried using drugs and loving other people to find comfort and happiness.
And in the end there ain't nothin' to say
Ultimately, there's nothing else to be said, nothing else that can be explained or done.
And in the end there ain't nothin' you can say anyway
Even if there was something else to say, sometimes it's just hopeless because there are no actions that can actually help.
And I stand here in my shoes, unable to move
Once again, he feels trapped and paralyzed with emotion and heartache.
My hat in my hands, at the bottom of the ocean
His last glimmer of hope feels like it's sinking to the bottom of an ocean.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@connorblake7487
I read this was written about William's brother. My brother also took his own life 4 years ago today. This is such a ridiculously beautiful tribute to him. "I know you tried. You're forgiven."-I wish I could say this to him every single day. Cherish each other and know peace, my friends. It goes by fast.
@pannedokonaly4947
Sorry for your loss. Hope you and your family are doing good!
@beachtobeach
You are forgiven, angry ocean. Though you made our green eyes roll to the back of our head. The Hurricane that devastated Rockaway has given this already great song, even more profound meaning. Thanks again, Augustines, I wish this could be Rockaways' anthem. All of us here have cried more than once, since the storm, this song helps relieve the anguish.
@sophiemh6690
Honestly, as a songwriter and after watching the film you guys released, this song has so much meaning and its so amazing. I wish you all the best
@foxstumblesnorth
This story is just heartbreaking. Amazing song - keep it going Augustines!
@dannybuchanan3661
Recently saw a film and Q and A with Billy about the making of this album and the meaning of this song makes it all the better. I can't do it justice, I don't feel I have the right to tell it and its really tragic but I'll try and write it out in case it helps anyone like this song any better.
Billy was raised in a small town in pretty bad conditions. His mother was mostly out of the picture due to her issues with drugs, and his stepdad who he and his brotherlived with was disabled with no use of his legs. Due to this Billy was put in the position of caring for both his brother and his father as a child. Years later, after his stepfather died, Billy hopped a freight train, and went to Seattle for a while and then New York where he tried to make it as a musician. Soon after, Billy tried to get back in contact with his brother James and discovered he was schizophrenic and struggling with heroin addiction, so Billy had his brother move in with him in New York where he tried to clean him up but things didn't work out and Billy had to ask James to leave. Later on, his band Pela were bigger and Billy tried to get back in contact with his brother and discovered he was doing years in solitary confinement for attempted murder, where James eventually committed suicide.
@seanparker9190
For any listeners moved by this phenomenal band of brothers who persevered through immense hardship to put their band on the map years back, please check out their documentary "Rise - The Story of Augustines" on Amazon Prime or on HBO. Their story is likely to move you to tears and give way to some magnificent inspiration.
These guys had their backs up against a wall with next to no money, dishonest managers, bad record labels, binding record contracts, no health insurance, and unbelievable dept hanging over their heads and they STILL forged a path straight through the pile of misfortunes with unwavering belief in themselves and their community to achieve the unthinkable. Brilliant artists that were highly underrated even for the success they had. Highly recommend any new fans to listen to their first two records all the way through with undivided attention. It'll change your life in more ways than one.
@jamiesomersuk
pure, honest rock music, god have they delivered this, what a band
@princeosars3298
Rollercoaster of emotions
@LordDeliverUs
This song is gorgeous, so beautiful, and so full of heartfelt meaning. Thank you Billy and the Band!