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.
Age Old Blue
Alela Diane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is the blue in my mother's eyes
That came from the blue in her mother's eyes
Thrown on down the line
By our family who worked the field
On borrowed land above the ocean
My family worked the field on borrowed land
Higher hills do not provide
For hearts born of coral and moss
Where rain won't flow beyond our stream
And water is captive to the well
There was a gentleman
I've always known his children's songs
Blue eyes were hardened by the war
But still he went on singing
Night can't hide a man
When his eyes are tearing
The night can't hide his cries
There's only a few of us left
Higher hills do not provide
For hearts born of coral and moss
Where rain won't flow beyond our stream
And water is captive to the well
I've known that age old blue
Lies in home with sirens tombs
He's left a deep desire
For a home beside the water
Shady rhythm calms the night
And that voice is never still
You know a voice is never still
And a voice is never silent
Shady rhythm calms the night
And that voice is never still
You know a voice is never still
And a voice is never silent
Higher hills do not provide
For hearts born of coral and moss
Where rain won't flow beyond our stream
And water is captive to the well
Alela Diane's song Age Old Blue speaks of a family and their connection to the sea and nature's own rhythms. The first verse speaks of the sea beneath the cliff as the blue in the singer's mother's eyes, which in turn came from her mother's eyes. The blue color, symbolizing the sea, has been passed down through generations may denote how significant the sea is in their family. The second verse talks about how the singer's family worked on a borrowed land that is above the ocean. This is perhaps a representation of the struggle in retaining a connection to nature while battling external forces. The next verse speaks more about the land and how higher hills do not provide for hearts born of coral and moss. This could mean that the singer's family belongs beside the sea, where they can feel most connected, and the landlocked hills offer them no solace.
The song also touches on the impact of war and tears on a person's life. The verse mentions a gentlemen whose eyes were hardened by war but still continued to sing. It shows the resilience of the human spirit and how important music is even in tough times. The chorus repeats the idea mentioned in the second verse about how higher hills cannot provide for hearts born of coral and moss. The last verse speaks about the singer's connection to 'age old blue' that lies in the home with sirens tombs, and how it left the deep desire for a home beside the water. The song ends with the repetition of the line, "a voice is never still, and a voice is never silent," perhaps as a reminder of the power of music.
Line by Line Meaning
The sea beneath the cliff
The blue sea reflects the color of my mother's eyes.
Is the blue in my mother's eyes
The color of the sea is the same color as my mother's eyes.
That came from the blue in her mother's eyes
My grandmother passed down the blue color of her eyes to my mother.
Thrown on down the line
The blue color of my eyes has been passed down through generations of my family.
By our family who worked the field
My family have always worked the land in the area.
On borrowed land above the ocean
The land we work on belongs to someone else and is near the sea.
Higher hills do not provide
We prefer to stay by the sea and cannot thrive in the hills.
For hearts born of coral and moss
We have roots in the sea and land, and are adapted to this environment.
Where rain won't flow beyond our stream
Our area doesn't get much rain, and we rely on a nearby stream to water our crops.
And water is captive to the well
We also rely on a well to have access to water.
There was a gentleman
I remember a man from the past.
I've always known his children's songs
He was known for the music he composed for kids.
Blue eyes were hardened by the war
He witnessed the horrors of war and carried its scars in his blue eyes.
But still he went on singing
Despite the pain, he persisted and continued to create music.
Night can't hide a man
Emotions can't be concealed in the dark.
When his eyes are tearing
When a man cries.
The night can't hide his cries
Tears are visible in any lighting.
There's only a few of us left
Not many people remain in our community.
I've known that age old blue
I've been aware of the blue color passed down in my family for many years.
Lies in home with sirens tombs
We live near the water and the sounds of the wreckage in the water remind us of the memories buried along with our ancestors.
He's left a deep desire
The longing to return to our ancestral home is strong.
For a home beside the water
We wish to reside close to the blue sea that is a part of our heritage.
Shady rhythm calms the night
The quiet sounds of nature serve to soothe us during the night.
And that voice is never still
The voice of the sea is constant.
You know a voice is never still
The sounds of the sea are always present.
And a voice is never silent
The sea's sound is continuous.
Higher hills do not provide
We are content living close to the sea, rather than living in the hills.
For hearts born of coral and moss
We are rooted in the sea and land, and have a deep connection to them.
Where rain won't flow beyond our stream
Our area doesn't get much rain, and we rely on a nearby stream to water our crops.
And water is captive to the well
We also rely on a well to have access to water.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALELA DIANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tegan and Sara Lyrics
I swear this is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard...
Athenays68
Omg, i've been looking for this song for years!! Finally found it, i'm emotional...Such a beautiful song.
Taylor Esquivel
đź‘Ťsame here!
Jonathan Ott
Michael Hurley should probably get some credit for this.
Marsha johnston Menehan
My mammie,s she loved this song,RIP Mammy dance away now 🙏🏼
Sutara Ling
Who is the fellow singing with her on this track? Does anyone have the album and know please? (oh yeah, I adore this woman !! Her voice totes moves me..) xoxox
Jeff Cote
Sutara Ling her father
Jelena Pesic
Nope, it's Michael Hurley
A.H. Yogi
The legendary MIchael Hurley
Andreea M.B.
Thank you guys, I was searching for this too.