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.
Pieces Of String
Alela Diane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, I'll have you know
That if I had one
I'd play this on piano
And if I had one of those
I'd sit it on my knee and count to 1, 2, 3
And if I had one of those other things
You know I'd put it in my mouth
Oh, I'd put them into jars on the shelf
But I'll have you know
Oh, I'll have you know
That if I had 10 or 20
I'd have a choir of little children sing along
And I'll have you know
I'll have you know
That if she had one she'd put it in a paper bag
If she had one she'd put it in a paper bag
Oh, this long-gone grandma would put it in a paper bag
Labeled 'pieces of string to small to use'
Pieces of string to small to use
But her, her autumn leaves are now the dirt
And those summer winds did blow her hair
But now she's pieces of string to small to use
Oh, pieces of string to small to use
What's left is pieces of string to small to use
Pieces of string to small to use
The lyrics to Alela Diane's song Pieces of String appear to be a reflection on the fleeting and transitory nature of life itself. The repeated refrain "pieces of string too small to use" serves as a metaphor for the impermanence of all things. The opening verse speaks to the limitations of the singer's possessions - she longs to play the piano, but does not have one, and so she imagines what it would be like to count to three sitting at a keyboard. The second verse introduces the idea of multiplicity - if she had 10 or 20 pianos, she could create a choir out of children singing along. In both cases, the wistful tone suggests that there is something missing, either in the singer's life or in the world at large.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll have you know
Let me make this clear to you
Oh, I'll have you know
I really want to emphasize this point
That if I had one
If I had something that I don't currently possess
I'd play this on piano
I'd use it to create music
And if I had one of those
Another thing I don't have
I'd sit it on my knee and count to 1, 2, 3
I'd use it as a learning tool
And if I had one of those other things
Yet another item I lack
You know I'd put it in my mouth
I would use it in a useful way
And if I had some of those other things
More things I don't have
Oh, I'd put them into jars on the shelf
I'd keep them organized and safe until I needed them
That if I had 10 or 20
If I had more of these things
I'd have a choir of little children sing along
I'd create something beautiful and joyful with what I have
That if she had one she'd put it in a paper bag
Someone else's decision on how to use something
This long-gone grandma would put it in a paper bag
An older person's choice of how to store something
Labeled 'pieces of string to small to use'
The description on the paper bag
But her, her autumn leaves are now the dirt
The grandma has passed away and is buried
And those summer winds did blow her hair
Remembering the grandma's youth and vitality
But now she's pieces of string to small to use
The grandma's life has ended and she is gone
Oh, pieces of string to small to use
An echo of the paper bag label
What's left is pieces of string to small to use
All that remains of the grandma is her memory and the small things she kept
Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michelle Schilling
listening to this I suddenly realize, it has been almost 10 years ago. So this song is the "pieces of strings" of my youth. wow...
jérémie cibois
So beautiful.
Gabi Sermoneta
this is so perfect
nerwicaaa326
Pure love
Robin Beaulieu
Pure Innocence....so lovely
ddalbs
I wonder what is the definition of 'Beautiful' and why this piece of string only has 5000 views, when other pieces of gurbuge gather 500 million... It's 500 million that's too small to use
Abuhtol Estaqui!
Alela Diane, bella musica.
Sadık
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