Actually called the Afro Celt Sound System*, this band was formed by produc… Read Full Bio ↴Actually called the Afro Celt Sound System*, this band was formed by producer Simon Emmerson with a mission to combine Celtic and African music with modern technology. For the "Afro" part, Emmerson enlisted N'Faly Kouyate and Moussa Sissokho; for the "Celt" part, there are James McNally and Iarla Ó Lionáird; and for "Sound System" there is Martin Russell. With the addition of Johnny Kalsi, they could easily add an "Indo" to the name. Personnel has varied considerably from release to release. They frequently use guest contributors, often on vocals, including Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant and Sinead O'Connor. Their first recording project was instrumentals and background vocals on Gabriel's hit "In Your Eyes."

* Usage of the long form of the name and the short form has varied. In 2003, Seed was released under the name Afrocelts, but the previous three albums, and the subsequent 2004 remix collection Pod and their 2005 release Anatomic were all labelled as Afro Celt Sound System. They have never been called Afro Celts (with a space), so this particular tag is plain wrong.

RISE
Afro Celts Lyrics

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Crackin' walls inside my head
With a bottle full of rain
I promised to the coaster
I wouldn't tear it up again

Flick a peanut, break a glass
I wish I didn't sleep at Mass
And everything is closin' up

And yet again I come in last

I saw it in a dream
It was another time
And everything was blue
Everything was fine

And you were always there
And I could see clear
I was always yours
You were always mine

Rise above it, rise above it, rise above it

I see her on the ceiling
She's staring down in her gown
I had to make allowances
Between my love and goin' out

Now everything is closing up
The last call is well asleep
At gigs I danced with a Blue Nun
Now heartburn is goin' cheap

I saw it in a dream
It was another time
Everything was true
Everything sublime

And you were always there
And I could see clear
I was always yours
You were always mine

I saw it in a dream
It was another time
Everything was true
Everything sublime

And you were always there
And I could see clear
I was always yours
You were always mine

Rise above, rise above it
I wouldn't tear it up again

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Afro Celts's song Rise Above It describe the inner turmoil and struggles of the singer. The opening lines mention a bottle full of rain, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the singer's emotions, overflowing and difficult to contain. The mention of crackin' walls inside my head emphasizes the intensity of these emotions and the pressure they are putting on the singer's mental state.

The next lines describe the singer's destructive tendencies, such as flicking a peanut and breaking a glass, and feeling guilty for sleeping through Mass. The mention of everything is closin' up adds to the sense of claustrophobia and anxiety that the singer is feeling. However, the following lines shift to a dream sequence where everything is blue and fine, and the singer's loved one is always by their side.

The second half of the song describes the struggle between the singer's love for their partner and their desire to go out and have fun. The reference to heartburn is goin' cheap adds a touch of humor to the lyrics but also highlights the singer's lack of self-control. However, the dream sequence returns, and everything is once again true and sublime, with the singer and their partner always together.

Overall, the lyrics of Rise Above It are a poetic representation of the fight between our desires and our responsibilities, our guilt and our pleasure, and how we can rise above it all if we just hold onto what truly matters.

Line by Line Meaning

Crackin' walls inside my head
Feeling trapped and overwhelmed with inner conflict.

With a bottle full of rain
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with the pain.

I promised to the coaster
Making a vow to oneself to not repeat the same mistakes.

I wouldn't tear it up again
Not wanting to ruin what has been preserved so far.

Flick a peanut, break a glass
Engaging in small acts of rebellion and frustration due to pent up emotions.

I wish I didn't sleep at Mass
Regretting not being more devout and spiritual.

And everything is closin' up
Feeling suffocated and suppressed by the circumstances in life.

And yet again I come in last
Feeling defeated and unsuccessful compared to others in similar situations.

I saw it in a dream
Having a vision or hope for a better future.

It was another time
Reflecting on a past instance when life was easier or better.

And everything was blue
A representation of a peaceful and calm time in the vision.

Everything was fine
A carefree and blameless mindset in the past.

And you were always there
Having a supportive and reliable presence in life.

And I could see clear
Having a clear and optimistic view of life.

I was always yours
Being committed and devoted to the person representing hope and support.

You were always mine
Having a reciprocal relationship with the person representing hope and support.

Rise above it, rise above it, rise above it
A desired outcome to overcome the struggles and emerge victorious.

I see her on the ceiling
Seeing an unattainable and idealistic figure (possibly a lover) that one cannot have.

She's staring down in her gown
The figure is looking down in a judgmental way, holding the person back from moving forward.

I had to make allowances
Having to settle for less or compromise in a situation.

Between my love and goin' out
Having to choose between commitment to a relationship and socializing.

The last call is well asleep
The end of a night out, with nothing further to do or drink.

At gigs I danced with a Blue Nun
Feeling nostalgic for a carefree and reckless past, possibly involving religious institutions or figures.

Now heartburn is goin' cheap
Substituting former pleasures with cheap, unhealthy substitutes.

Rise above, rise above it
Persisting through the struggles and striving for success.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: N'FALY KOUYATE, JAMES MCNALLY, MARTIN RUSSELL, SIMON EMMERSON, IARLA O'LIONAIRD, MUNDY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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