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.
Long Way Down
Alela Diane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the fire come dawn
It is a bigger tune
Old homes know through and through
When is it too soon to walk
When to run dry of talk from burning just the same
Was it easier in days gone by, clear skies and storms alike
From time to time, a man must go
But let me tell you friend, it is a long way down
When is it too soon to walk
When to run dry of talk from burning just the same
Was it easier in days gone by, clear skies and storms alike
And words of ties that bind
When the whining's free but the love's still true
It's been done before, you can work it through
The song "Long Way Down" by Alela Diane carries with it the pain and struggle of when love fades away. The first verse is a reflection on how even a love that was once warm can eventually grow cold, like a fire that dies down come dawn. It is compared to a big tune that old homes know through and through, highlighting the familiar feeling that comes with the realization that a love has come to an end. The second verse ponders on the right time to walk away from a love that has run dry of conversation, and whether it was easier in the past when ties that bind were stronger.
The chorus brings about the message of the song, acknowledging that sometimes a man must go, but the fall when love fades away is a long way down. The final verse caps off the song on a hopeful note with the idea that even though whining may come easily, if love is still true, the relationship can be worked through despite the pain.
Overall, the song portrays the emotional journey of letting go of a relationship that has run its course, with a sense of familiarity, uncertainty, and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
When a love grows cold
When love fades away
Like the fire come dawn
Like a fire that dies with the rising sun
It is a bigger tune
It is a more significant problem
Old homes know through and through
Experience makes older couples better able to deal with problems
When is it too soon to walk
When is it too early to give up and leave
When to run dry of talk from burning just the same
When there is nothing left to say because the argument keeps repeating
Was it easier in days gone by, clear skies and storms alike
Were things better in the past, through good times and bad
And words of ties that bind
And the commitments that we made to each other
From time to time, a man must go
Sometimes you need to take time away from a relationship
But let me tell you friend, it is a long way down
But it's a hard road back to rebuild a relationship
When the whining's free but the love's still true
When complaining is easy, but love is still strong
It's been done before, you can work it through
Other couples have faced similar problems and worked through them
Writer(s): Alela Diane Copyright: Emi Music Publishing Ltd.
Contributed by Andrew N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.