Alela Diane Menig (born April 20, 1983, Nevada City, California, USA) is an… Read Full Bio ↴Alela Diane Menig (born April 20, 1983, Nevada City, California, USA) is an American singer and songwriter. She grew up singing with her musician parents and performing in the school choir. She taught herself guitar, and began writing songs which blend tense, trance-like arpeggios with warm vocals and meditative lyrics about family and nature. Her first recordings were self-released in 2003 as Forest Parade. Her first solo public appearances were at the invitation of fellow Nevada City native Joanna Newsom. She also did a stint in the Nevada City slow grass band Black Bear before continuing with her solo pursuits.

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.

My Tired Feet
Alela Diane Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My tired feet
My tired, tried feet
My tired feet
Oh my tired feet
My tired feet brought me to that red boat
So still and foreign waters

And although I've never been here

Oh although I've never been here
I know that here I've swam before
Oh, here I've swam before
And soon I came
Oh, so soon I came
Soon I came
Oh, so soon I came
Soon I came to the silent place of choir voices

In excelsis Deo
Deo
Where Jesus, he keeps the streets out
Jesus he keeps the heat out
Jesus he keeps the noise out
And here oh here I've sung before

Here I've sung before
I know that here I've sung before
Here I've sat, I've run, I've walked, I've cried
I've died

Oh, I've slept in 'til noon and I've laughed
And I've sighed
I know that here I've sung before
Oh, here I've sung before

I know that here I've sung before
Here I've sung before

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "My Tired Feet" by Alela Diane describe a feeling of familiarity and belonging in a place that the singer has never physically been to before. The repetition of "my tired feet" emphasizes a weariness that symbolizes the journey the singer has taken to arrive at this unknown location. The mention of the "red boat" and "foreign waters" suggests a sense of exploration and venturing into uncharted territory.

Despite the physical unfamiliarity, the singer feels a deep connection to this place. They are certain that they have "swam before" and have a sense of déjà vu. The mention of a "silent place of choir voices" and the Latin phrase "in excelsis Deo" suggests a spiritual or sacred atmosphere. Jesus is mentioned as one who keeps the streets, heat, and noise out, creating a serene and peaceful environment.

The singer reflects on their past experiences in this place, stating that they have sung, sat, run, walked, cried, and even died there before. This creates a sense of nostalgia and personal history attached to this seemingly new location. The repetition of "I know that here I've sung before" reinforces the familiarity and connection the singer has with this place, despite the contradiction of never physically being there.

Overall, "My Tired Feet" explores themes of longing for a place that feels like home, even if it is unfamiliar, and the powerful emotional connection one can have to an unknown location.

Line by Line Meaning

My tired feet
I am physically exhausted and weary from walking

My tired, tried feet
My weary and experienced feet, having walked many paths

Oh my tired feet
Expressing weariness and fatigue in a heartfelt manner

My tired feet brought me to that red boat
It was my exhausted feet that led me to discover that red boat

So still and foreign waters
The waters of the boat's location were calm and unfamiliar

And although I've never been here
Despite never having visited this place before

Oh although I've never been here
Even though this place is new to me

I know that here I've swam before
I feel a sense of familiarity as if I've swum here previously

Oh, here I've swam before
I have definitely swum in these waters in the past

And soon I came
I arrived quickly

Oh, so soon I came
I arrived in a surprisingly short amount of time

Soon I came
I reached my destination promptly

Oh, so soon I came
I was surprised at how quickly I arrived

Soon I came to the silent place of choir voices
I arrived at a peaceful location where harmonious voices could be heard

In excelsis Deo
In the highest praise of God

Deo
God

Where Jesus, he keeps the streets out
In this place, Jesus ensures the streets are free from disturbances

Jesus he keeps the heat out
Jesus ensures the atmosphere remains cool

Jesus he keeps the noise out
Jesus prevents any unwanted noise from intruding

And here oh here I've sung before
I have definitely sung in this particular place before

Here I've sung before
I have sung in this location previously

I know that here I've sung before
I am certain that I have sung in this place before

Here I've sat, I've run, I've walked, I've cried
I have experienced various emotions and activities in this place, including sitting, running, walking, and crying

I've died
Metaphorically speaking, I have experienced a death or transformation here

Oh, I've slept in 'til noon and I've laughed
I have enjoyed the luxury of sleeping in until midday and have also found joy and amusement

And I've sighed
I have expressed deep breaths of relief, contentment, or longing

I know that here I've sung before
I am absolutely certain that I have sung in this place previously

Oh, here I've sung before
I have definitely sung in this location before

I know that here I've sung before
I am certain that I have sung in this place before

Here I've sung before
I have sung in this location previously

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alela Diane

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Intrader

4y↑4

Pequeña Alela, en tus mitocondrias pulsan las hebras de las indias de Terranova. En tus cuerdas vocales vibran aquellas fibras de América que ya nadie puede escuchar. Y en ellas encontramos descanso nosotros, los que no tenemos un mundo al que volver.