A Silver Mt. Zion is a band formed in 1999, in Montreal, Quebec, by Godspeed You! Black Emperor musicians Efrim Menuck, Sophie Trudeau and Thierry Amar. According to an interview with VPRO Radio in The Netherlands, originally the project was for Efrim to learn how to score music, but the idea was soon abandoned as Efrim decided that he preferred music not to be defined by rules, preferring simply what sounds best. Despite this, he continued the project out of a desire to experiment with ideas that would not work within the context of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The decision to record an album was partly inspired by the death of his dog Wanda, who had died while Godspeed You! Black Emperor was on tour. He wanted to record an album in her memory, but did not feel that he could effectively do this through Godspeed's collective, consensus format.
Unlike Godspeed You! Black Emperor, A Silver Mt. Zion's music often features vocals. The last few albums they have released contain no purely instrumental tracks. Efrim confessed that he was uncomfortable with this at first, feeling "foolish" and uncomfortable with the role of the singer in music generally. That is, he did not want to be the focus of the band's music but rather wished to use vocals as a stylistic tool. Some fans were initially ambivalent about the use of vocals, but Efrim's poetic lyrical style is now well respected among fans. Furthermore, A Silver Mt. Zion's fanbase has expanded, and they are no longer seen merely as an offshoot of Godspeed You! Black Emperor but as a unique and separate entity.
The addition of members has moved their music from a well weighted, and curiously empty (in terms of space) sound to all encompassing and complex arrangements, recently focusing more on vocal layers.
Other than the main three members, various other people joined the band for recording and touring including: Beckie Foon, Ian Ilavsky, Jessica Moss and Scott Levine Gilmore.
A Silver Mt. Zion:
2000: He Has Left Us Alone, but Shafts of Light Sometimes Grace the Corner of Our Rooms...
The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band:
2001: Born into Trouble as the Sparks Fly Upward
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band With Choir:
2003: "This Is Our Punk-Rock," Thee Rusted Satellites Gather + Sing,
Thee Silver Mountain Reveries:
2004: Pretty Little Lightning Paw (EP)
Silver Mt. Zion:
2004: Song of the Silent Land - contributed track "Iron Bridge to Thunder Bay"
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band:
2005: Horses in the Sky
2008: 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra:
2010: Kollaps Tradixionales
2012: The West Will Rise Again (EP)
2014: Hang On to Each Other (EP)
2014: Fuck Off Get Free We Pour Light on Everything
Hang On to Each Other
A Silver Mt. Zion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We still search for words to describe that pain
And cling to each other
Like pigeons in the rain
And eyes all over feathered breasts
With beaks all worn and cracked and stained
Hang on to each other
So this one's for the lost ones
And the dead ones and the ones who fell away
All our busted brothers
Tumbled lovers spitting at the rain
We all got born so afraid
And still search for words to describe that pain
And hang on to each other
Hang on to each other
Hang on to any fucking thing you love
Birds toss precious flowers
From the murky skies above
Hang on to each other
The lyrics of A Silver Mt. Zion's song "Hang On to Each Other" speak about the universal human experience of fear and pain. The opening lines, "We all got born so afraid, we still search for words to describe that pain," imply that even from the moment of birth, humans are faced with a sense of apprehension, confusion, and vulnerability. The metaphorical reference to pigeons, "Like pigeons in the rain" highlights the theme of interconnectedness and the need for support in the face of turmoil. The image of "eyes all over feathered breasts, with beaks all worn and cracked and stained" represents the sense of community and shared experiences as well as the signs of wear and tear from weathering difficulties.
The chorus's repetition of the phrase "Hang on to each other," reinforces the importance of solidarity and holding on to one another in times of hardship. The following verse honors the memory of those who have already left and encourages the listener to hold on regardless of their circumstances. The lyrics urge listeners to "Hang on to any fucking thing you love," emphasizing the importance of finding meaning and belonging in life, even in the darkest moments. The song concludes with the birds "tossing precious flowers from the murky skies above," which could be a symbol of hope and renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
We all got born so afraid
We were all born with the inherent fear of the unknown
We still search for words to describe that pain
We struggle to articulate the pain and fear we feel deep inside
And cling to each other
We find solace in the company of others who share our fears and pain
Like pigeons in the rain
We huddle together in solidarity like pigeons seeking refuge from the rain
And eyes all over feathered breasts
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, we find a sense of comfort and safety in the physical embrace of others
With beaks all worn and cracked and stained
The wear and tear of life is evident, but we still have each other to lean on
So this one's for the lost ones
This song is dedicated to those who are lost, alone and struggling to find their way
And the dead ones and the ones who fell away
It's also for those who have passed away or drifted apart from us, but we still hold them close in our hearts
All our busted brothers
This includes all those who are broken, struggling or hurting in some way
Tumbled lovers spitting at the rain
Even those who have been hurt by love or lost hope in it, can find solace in our shared human experience
Hang on to any fucking thing you love
Hold onto anything that brings you joy or meaning, no matter how small
Birds toss precious flowers
Even amidst the struggles and hardships of life, we can find small moments of beauty and hope
From the murky skies above
These small moments of beauty and hope can come unexpectedly, just like flowers tossed from murky skies
Hang on to each other
Through it all, the most important thing is to hold onto each other, to find strength and comfort in our shared humanity
Hang on to each other
We must never forget this, even when life gets difficult and overwhelming
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind